“Faraaz” director Hansal Mehta on Saturday congratulated Bangladeshi filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki as his much-anticipated movie “Shonibar Bikel” (Saturday Afternoon) got clearance for release from Bangladesh Film Censor Board.
Despite the ongoing talks surrounding the Indian director and Farooki, their relationship appears to be cordial.
Hansal Mehta on Saturday left a comment on a Facebook post where Mostofa Sarwar Farooki expressed his feelings as his film got the clearance after four long years.
Hansal Mehta's comment reads: “Many congratulations bondhu. With love from the other side. Hansal.”
To which Farooki replied: “Of course comrade”
Both movies, “Faraaz” and “Shonibar Bikel” are loosely based on the 2016 Holey Artisan attack that took place in Bangladesh.
On Saturday, eminent filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki's film “Shonibar Bikel” got clearance for release after being stuck at Bangladesh Film Censor Board since 2019.
“Now there is no obstacle for ‘Saturday Afternoon' to release. There is no need to modify any scenes,” said Shyamal Dutta, a member of the appeal committee. “The events of the film have nothing to do with the events taking place at Holey Artisan as it is not a direct depiction.”
Regarding this, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki said that he was thankful but does not want any filmmaker to experience what he had to endure for the last four years.
“I feel relieved to get this news finally after all these years. At the same time, I just want to say that whatever I have gone through for this film - I don't want any filmmaker to go through those,” Farooki said on Saturday.