Aref Syed, a fresh promising actor on the block, will appear in director Morshedul Islam’s feature film Anil Bagchir Ekdin (A Day in the life of Anil Bagchi), set in the backdrop of Bangladesh’s 1971 Independence War. The film, produced by Bengal Creations Ltd, is based on the novel by the same title, by noted writer Humayun Ahmed.
“Anil Bagchir Ekdin is my first feature venture and I’m very proud to have made my first movie based on the independence war,” says Aref, who plays the lead character in the film. “Acting is my passion and I want to act in films that have good storylines.”
The plot begins with the profile of 26-year-old Anil Bagchi, who has always been a timid person, and currently works in an insurance company in Dhaka. Anil lives in a mess in the capital, while his father and only elder sister, Atoshi, live in their village in Rupeshwar. His schoolteacher, who turns out to be a notable character in the story, also lives in the same village. Anil’s mother had died during his birth. The idealist and honest father has been trying to imbue his ideals in Anil.
The story proceeds towards the middle of the war of 1971, with the Pakistani occupation keeping everyone’s nerves on the edge. One morning, Anil receives a letter, from the headmaster of Rupeshwar School, informing him that his father had been killed by the Pakistani military, and that Atashi is now staying with him. He warns Anil not to return to the village as it is no longer safe for young men.
Anil however ignores the headmaster’s warning and prepares to head to his village. The journey is fraught with danger, but he takes leave from work and boards a bus to Rupeshwar. The journey turns out to be one of utmost uncertainty. On the way, Anil comes to know a middle-aged man named Ayub Ali who is accompanied by his wife and daughter. Ali is thoroughly bored and likes to chatter. Although Ali initially appears quite a reactionary, over the course of the story Anil comes to admire his humanity. Ali instructs Anil never to reveal his Hindu name to anyone, and suggests him to go by the name of Ali’s brother in law, Mohsin.
The plot reaches its climax when the bus is stopped at a Pakistani military roadblock and everyone is ordered to disembark. When Anil is interrogated and he reveals his real name, Ayub Ali risks his own life to try and save him. At one stage, Ali breaks down like a child and starts crying – with no effect on Anil’s captors.
Before he is led away, Anil requests Ali to visit his sister and tell her to marry the man of her choice. Anil’s captors take him to the bank of a river when the night is awash in moonlight, and he loses himself in appreciation of the moonlit night.
And then, there are shots.