How did you develop an interest in film-making?
I am a professional photographer and I began my career 15 years back. I completed a diploma on photography in 2004-5. However, almost everything I know about photography is self-taught. I wanted to acquire a Bachelors degree in photography from India, but expenses were too high.
As for film-making, I absolutely love the works of Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak. I consider them to be masters in their art. So maybe an interest in ‘moving pictures’ developed from that. I did get accepted in New York Film Academy for studying films, but due to some complications I could not avail that opportunity.
After that, through an amazing stroke of fortune I was recruited as a photographer for Goutam Ghosh, when he was making “Shankhachil.” That experience taught me a great deal about film-making. I will credit him (Goutam Ghosh) as one of my role-models.
Tell us about the story you want to tell in “Omar Faruker Maa.”
I first heard about Omar Faruk’s mother from news. Omar Faruk was a freedom fighter from Pirojpur, who was the first one to hang the flag of independent Bangladesh in that district. Since 1971, Omar’s mother has been waiting for her dear child to return from war, because he left after making a promise. The promise was that he will return and have supper. Therefore his mother still cooks rice for him and some extra portions for any friends he might bring. After visiting her and finding out the entire story, I was so touched that I immediately decided to make a documentary about this story. When I visited the Omar’s house, I was
amazed to find that every aspect of that location matches my imagination for the film. It could be called a gift from God.
Did you know then, that one day you will receive national film grant to visually present this story?
No. I thought I will self-fund it. I spent two years finalizing the script, which also had challenges. I first approached a copywriter to write the script for it. However that approach did not go as planned. So I worked on it on my own until I was able to give the script to Masum Reza, who finished the script. He was the one who suggested that I submit it for national film grant. After taking care of all the bureaucracies, I submitted the proposal for my film and then it happened. Since I have been doing photography all these years, people were really amazed about my achievement.
When do you plan to complete shooting?
Currently the film is in pre-production. I will finalize the artistes for the film within the next two weeks. I have visited the set a couple of times and I will probably visit five more times. If all goes well, I hope to visually capture everything by September. For now I plan to edit in Bangladesh, but I might complete post production in India if I am not satisfied. Hopefully, the film will be completed by November.
Naturally you are facing some challenges in the course of realizing the film. Can you enlighten us about them?
Instead of calling them challenges I would call them obstacles on my path. I stumble on them, learn from the experience and become more aware. One challenge I face now is that my enemies have increased in numbers. Since I try to tell what I feel in complete frankness, naturally some are offended and I have been confronted by them. After I was told at a photographer’s event that one specific chair was reserved for someone who is trying to bring positive changes in the country, I replied “To love one’s country or to do something good for it, one does not need a chair or a position; for that one needs patriotism, honesty, dedication and initiative.” Everyone present stared at me and some ganged up to confront me for my honesty. Calling people out on the inconsistencies present in their approach to develop this country is a challenge.
Tell us a little bit about your experience of working as a photographer in Bangladesh. What is your long term vision?
To be frank, I think there is no proper institution that teaches photography in Bangladesh. I run a small institution of my own, but it is quite informal. None of the universities give an exclusive Bachelors or Masters Degree in photography. I heard Dhaka University began a program, but it is 20 years over-due, I would say.
The photographers of the industry do take good pictures, but what surprises me is the lack of photos that highlight the good things about Bangladesh. If you Google famous photographers of Bangladesh, you will see that the ratio of positive images of Bangladesh is very low. It is a shame, as Bangladesh is very uniquely beautiful. Even its soil has a scent. The villages, the environment, the climate, all these things have unique stories to tell.
I have a passion for taking photos of Bangladesh that will show it in all its glory. To that end I am running this small photography school with no set amount of students per batch. Sometimes the lessons last well over 12 hours. I teach photography with technique outside of the norm. I let my students make the mistakes first and correct them one at a time. I also plan to take photography workshops in every district, as soon as I complete this film. I hope to establish a good school for photographers in Bangladesh, which will be of international standard.
