Bangladeshi filmmaker Mejbaur Rahman Sumon and acclaimed actress Nazifa Tushi are once again joining forces to create a cinematic experience that promises to be bold and groundbreaking.
Following the success of Hawa, the duo returns with "Roid", a film that showcases Sumon’s visionary storytelling and Tushi’s transformative performance, setting the stage for what could be one of the most remarkable entries in contemporary Bangladeshi cinema.
Mejbaur Rahman Sumon's debut film Hawa, released three years ago, gained both commercial success and international recognition for its artistic merit.
After a long gap, Sumon is set to return with his second feature film, "Roid".
The release of its poster and trailer on Tuesday has generated strong excitement among audiences and industry professionals.
The 2-minute-and-21-second trailer gradually unfolds a distinct cinematic world through its atmosphere, visuals and characters. Many viewers believe that after Hawa, Sumon returns with a more mature and deeper narrative in "Roid".
The director has said that the story of "Roid" is rooted in his childhood and inspired by two familiar figures, with his mother being an equal contributor to the narrative. The film centres on Sadu, his mentally unstable wife and a palm tree beside their home, reimagining an ancient folk tale through a contemporary lens.
One of the film’s most notable aspects is its production design. Nearly 50,000 trees were planted and nurtured for months to create a believable village setting, while key locations were built specifically to serve the story.
Nazifa Tushi, who gained acclaim for Hawa, plays the role of Sadu’s mad wife. For the character, she underwent extensive physical transformation, avoiding makeup for six months and altering her skin, teeth and speech to achieve realism. She has described "Roid" as the most challenging role of her career.
Adding to the anticipation, "Roid" has been officially selected for the Tiger Competition at the 55th Rotterdam International Film Festival, marking a significant international recognition.