Veteran director Shyam Benegal has returned to the director's chair after 13 years for his first Bengali feature, Mujib: The Making Of A Nation.
Based on the life and times of the founding father and first president of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (1920-1975), the film will be made under an audio-visual co-production agreement between India and Bangladesh. The poster was released as part of the birth anniversary celebrations of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which began on 17 March.
The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) on Thursday shared the first poster of the film, which depicts only the historical figure's hand with a large crowd in the background.
Unveiling the poster of India - Bangladesh Co-production feature film Mujib - The Making of a Nation, a biopic directed by Shyam Benegal. It is a story of an inspiring statesman and the greatest leader of Bangladesh. #ArifinShuvoo & #NusratImroseTisha are in the lead roles. pic.twitter.com/EdooDbtEmP
— NFDC India (@nfdcindia) March 17, 2022
The 87-year-old filmmaker began work on the project in 2021. Starring Bangladeshi actor Arifin Shuvoo, Mujib: The Making Of A Nation features Nusrat Imrose Tisha, Nusraat Faria and Tauqir Ahmed. The film has been written by Atul Tiwari and Shama Zaidi.
Speaking about the film, Benegal said that it has been a tough task for him to bring Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s towering life on the screen. “Mujib: The Making of a Nation remains a very emotional film for me; to bring Bangabandhu’s towering life on the reel is a tough task. We have portrayed his character in an uncompromising way. Mujib remained a great friend of India. We hope the poster connects with the audiences.”
The filmmaker added, “I am glad to be working on this feature film. It has always been a fruitful association working with NFDC since its inception and now collaborating with BFDC [Bangladesh Film Development Corporation] was a joyful experience.”
Shuvoo said, “I am fascinated to be playing the role of Mujib. This is a dream come true. I am honoured to be a part of this iconic project and to be directed by the legend himself, Shyam Benegalji. No words to express how big this feature film is for me and for my nation. I felt the warmth and great hospitality during the production of the film in India. Hopeful that I have justified the role and the audiences will connect with me and love the film, the way they love Bangabandhu.”
Ravinder Bhakar, the managing director of the NFDC, said, “The NFDC has pioneered films by legendary directors who are renowned the world over even today. To be associated with Shyam Benegalji once again for this project is a great pleasure for the corporation. Mujib: The Making of a Nation shall be a landmark film in the NFDC’s history. Indeed, it is a pleasure associating with the BFDC for an iconic film.”