Shomi Kaiser, noted actor and cultural activist, is making a documentary on the life and work of Shahidullah Kaiser, her father and one of the intellectuals who was killed by the Pakistan Army during the Liberation War.
Working on the project since 2007, Shomi has been interviewing people and visiting West Bengal to accumulate information for her documentary. She expects that the documentary can be a rich source of historical facts about the country’s independence.
The documentary is expected to be released in March next year.
The Dhaka Tribune caught up with the actor and asked her about the significance of Victory Day.
“For me, Victory Day embodies the sense of freedom. It also signifies the value of ‘71, the legacy of the freedom of speech which was achieved in the war.”
Asked to send a message to people on this occasion, Shomi said: “On this occasion, I would like to say our freedom fighters shed their blood to gain independence. They paid a price to free the country. I would like to ask everyone to support the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) . It is my efforts to tell our next generation not to be confused about the ICT’s verdicts.
“Trying the well-known Razakars who betrayed the country is not an act of revenge; it is justice. I urge our young generation to learn about the country’s history and understand the sacrifices people made in 1971. I believe the next generation will uphold the legacy of our Liberation War.”
Asked how she planned to spend Victory Day, Shomi said: “I usually spend time with my family. We visit Projonmo ‘71 and put flowers as a tribute to our martyrs.”
