Trailer of ‘Mujib– The Making of a Nation’ trailer released at Festival de Cannes

Movie an example of good neighbourly relations: Anurag Thakur
Will always remember sacrifice of Indian soldiers: Dr Mahmood

by Suman Gupta

NEW DELHI, 20 May 2022: Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Mr Anurag Thakur and Minister of Information and Broadcasting of Bangladesh Dr Hasan Mahmud yesterday jointly released a 90-second intriguing trailer of the India – Bangladesh co-production feature film on ‘Bangabandhu,’ Mujib – The Making of a Nation directed by Mr Shyam Benegal.

Addressing the audience on the occasion Union Minister Mr Anurag Thakur said that the movie, while being a co-production of India and Bangladesh, was an initiative of Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi. “The movie is a gift on birth centenary of Bangabandhu Shekh Mujibur Rahman ji”, the Minister commented. Commenting on the struggles in the making of the movie, Mr Thakur said that when the world was going through a challenging time during the COVID pandemic, the work on the movie went on. When the world is seeing strife between various neighbouring countries, Mr Thakur cited the movie as an example of good neighbourly ties. Through the movie, the two countries complement each others’ work. The minister thanked both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina for taking this initiative.

Mr Anurag Thakur said that this year being the 75^th anniversary of India’s independence and India being the Country of Honour at Marche du Film, there could be no better opportunity to release the trailer and put the friendship of India and Bangladesh on display. He thanked the whole Bangladesh delegation for attending the ceremony.

Dr Hasan Mahmud, in his address, said that the movie was based on the struggle, suffering and making of a nation by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Complementing the ties between the two countries he said that Bangladesh and India relationship had touched new highs under the leadership of the two Prime Ministers Sheikh Hasina and Mr Narendra Modi. “The movie was a demonstration of the strength and depth of relationship between the two countries,” Dr Mahmud added. The Minister thanked the people of India for supporting the independence war of Bangladesh in 1971. The Minister also said that Bangladeshis will always remember the sacrifice of Indian soldiers.

Speaking about the movie, Dr Mahmud said that the movie was about the struggle, pain and suffering of Sheikh Mujib in liberating a nation. “People of the world will know how he remained unwavering in the face of gallows and how he transformed an unarmed nation into an armed one and led the liberation war. It isn’t easy to capture the whole life of such great people in 3 hours but the team making the movie has done a great work,” he further added.

Delivering his message in a recorded message, Mr Shyam Benegal, said, “The trailer is out and I hope the audiences will appreciate it. It was an absolutely marvellous journey working for this film as I got an opportunity to work with the artists & technicians from both the nations. And thankful to Ministries from India & Bangladesh for their overwhelming support.”

Mr Apurva Chandra, Secretary Information of Broadcasting, India; Ambassador of India to the Republic of France Mr. Jawed Ashraf; Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Republic of France Mr. Khondker Mohammad Talha along with cast of the movie were present at the occasion.

About the movie: Mujib – The Making of a Nation is directed by Mr Shyam Benegal. The Co-production Agreement for the film “Bangabandhu” was signed on 14th January, 2020 between two Executive Producers – NFDC and Film Development Corporation (FDC), Bangladesh. The Ministry of Information Broadcasting, Govt. of India and the Ministry of Information Broadcasting, Govt. of Bangladesh are producers of the film. The total budget of the film is over USD 10 million (INR 75 Crores) shared in the ratio of 40:60 by India and Bangladesh respectively. The film is a tribute to the great leader on his birth centennial and to mark the 50 years of Bangladesh’s formation. The release is delayed owing to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The entire shooting of the film “Bangabandhu” has been successfully completed, spread in four schedules in India and Bangladesh. The film is expected to ready by the end of 2022.

The actors in the lead roles Arifin Shuvoo & Nusrat Imrose Tisha, for the love of the nation & the emotion named Mujib, have worked for free & have taken only 1 Bangladeshi Taka (0.011 USD) as a token amount. Mr Arifin Shuvoo’s has played the role of the Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his life’s journey from early days to the Making of a Nation has been depicted in the film. Ms Nusrat Imrose Tisha, plays the role of Sheikh Fazilatunnesa (Renu), the better half of Mujib, the film showcases her family, struggles, strength & her role in Mujib’s success as one of the greatest leaders in the World.

About National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) –Incorporated in the year 1975 National Film Development Corporation Ltd is formed by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India with the primary objective of promoting the good cinema movement in India. NFDC is instrumental in creating an ecosystem to support the financing, distribution and development of independent films across the country in various Indian languages.

About Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) –The organization was founded in 1959 as the East Pakistan Film Development Corporation which was changed to Bangladesh Film Development Corporation after Bangladesh achieved independence in 1971. On 3 April of every year the National Film day of Bangladesh is observed, the day is organized and celebrated by the corporation. The day marks the occasion when Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, then Minister of Industries and Commerce of East Pakistan introduced the bill to formulate the East Pakistan Film development corporation.