Beyond the misty green beauty of Bangladesh’s tea estates lies a world rarely seen -- and “Cha Gorom” is ready to take audiences there.
Directed by Shankha Dasgupta, the upcoming film -- set to premiere on Chorki on April 14, coinciding with Pohela Boishakh -- steps away from the postcard-perfect imagery of tea gardens and dives into the lived realities of the people who sustain them.
Backed by Oxfam and Chorki, with support from the European Union, the film unveiled its official poster on April 5, offering just a glimpse into a story that promises depth over decoration.
“For years, tea gardens have been used as beautiful backdrops,” Dasgupta said.
“But I felt the need to go beyond that -- to step inside, to understand the lives of the workers, their struggles, and their truths.”
To shape that vision, the filmmaker immersed himself within tea garden communities -- an experience that, he admits, revealed how little is truly known about these spaces.
That gap between perception and reality now forms the emotional core of “Cha Gorom.”
Featuring a cast of emerging talents including Safa Kabir, Partho Sheikh, Rezwan Pervez and Sarah Jabin Aditi, the film builds its narrative through characters rooted in everyday struggle and resilience.
While the poster remains deliberately restrained, the makers hint that upcoming promotional content will gradually unfold the story’s layers.
For the cast, the project offered both challenge and purpose.
Safa Kabir describes the film as a powerful departure from conventional storytelling.
“It highlights a side of our society we often overlook, even though it exists so close to us,” she said.
Rezwan Pervez echoed that sentiment, calling his role “challenging,” while Sarah Jabin Aditi pointed to the film’s honest portrayal of the harsh realities within tea gardens.
Partho Sheikh, meanwhile, sees the project as a rare opportunity to engage with a story that breaks away from familiar narratives.
At its heart, “Cha Gorom” is not just a film -- it is an attempt to reframe visibility.
“Tea garden workers are integral to our economy, yet their stories remain largely untold,” said Ashis Damle, country director of Oxfam in Bangladesh.
“This film brings their struggles, dreams and aspirations into focus.”
Timed with the spirit of renewal that Pohela Boishakh represents, the film carries an undercurrent of change -- both personal and collective.
Chorki CEO Redwan Rony describes it as a story meant to inspire, to encourage reflection, and perhaps, a new way of seeing.
Because this time, the camera doesn’t just pass through the tea gardens.
It stays.