“Meghmallar,” a feature film adapted from Akhtaruzzaman Elias’ acclaimed work “Raincoat,” is all set for release in December. Based on the Liberation War, the film won the National Filmmaking Grant 2013 and is currently being inspected by the Film Censor Board. Director Zahidur Rahim Anjan is quite excited as it is his debut feature film and hopes for audience appreciation.
Shahiduzzaman Selim, Aparna, Jayanta Chattopadhyay, Mosharraf Karim, Aparna and Aditi played the vital roles of the film.
Winner of the National Film Award, Shahiduzzaman Selim who plays the character of Nurul Huda in the film said to the Dhaka Tribune: “The character is the most multidimensional one among my current work list. I gave my best effort to give it an outstanding form. The love of the audience will prove my success.” The director characterised Selim’s role by metaphysical themes, extremely long takes, and memorable images.
Aparna who never before acted in a film based on the Liberation War said: “I read the novel earlier and it was one of my favourites. When the director asked me to play the role, I did not think twice before agreeing.
“I think this role will be one of the stepping stones of my career and I feel privileged to be considered for such an important part.” In the film, Aparna will act as the female protagonist Asma.
The film shuns the violent picture of war and portrays the survival story of a middle-class family, quite an unconventional portrayal of the Liberation War. Usually, storytellers focus on the horrors, sufferings and upheaval which were an inherent part of the nine month long war.
Another interesting fact is that, the whole movie is set on the backdrop of just three days of monsoon in 1971. Nurul Huda, a chemistry teacher lives with his wife Asma and five-year old daughter Sudha in a suburb. Mintu, Asma’s younger brother stays with them and one day he secretly leaves the house and joins the fight for freedom. Because of his association with a freedom fighter, Nurul Huda is abducted by the Pakistani armed forces.
