by Showkot Marcel Khan

Though Bangladesh has stepped into its thirty-fifth year of independence, it is very unfortunate that there aren’t enough films based on our glorious liberation war. In fact, it is a difficult task to find thirty-five films based on the war of independence.
   Some directors often claim that they did not get a healthy environment for making films on the subject and point at political crisis along with other sort of problems that have prevented them from touching the issue. As a result the number of films in the list has not become long. And, obviously, the expectation of the mass people on war films has not been filled as yet.
   The film which stirred the people of the country during the early period of the liberation war was Jiban Thekey Neya by Zahir Raihan. It was based on the mass upsurge between 1966-69 and in this Zahir Raihan through a generous use of allegory depicts the social and family values of the time which eventually led to the war.
   Inspired by this, Fakrul Alam made a similar film. Zahir took another attempt with Let Their Be Light in 1970 but the shooting of the film was stopped in 1971. Besides, the valiant maker dreamt to make Ekushe February, a film based on the historic Language Movement under Srijani Chalachhitra Sangstha. An advertisement of the film was also printed in a daily but his dream faded as certain groups with nefarious interests got involved.
   During the post liberation period of Bangladesh, the condition of the film industry was very poor. Being inspired as an independent citizen Chashi Nazrul Islam made Ora Egarojon, which was the first feature film of independent Bangladesh, released in 1972. With financial support from Masud Parvez, Chashi made it a success; the film was highly applauded by all.
   After that, Arunudayer Agnisakshi by Subas Dutt, Raktakta Bangla by Mamtaj Ali, Bagha Bangali by Ananda, Sangram by Chashi Nazrul Islam, Dhire Bahe Meghna by Alamgir Kabir, Kalmilata by Shahidul Haque Khan and other films were made. After liberation, Khan Ataur Rahman took a courageous effort with Abar Tora Manus Ho. The film, set during the post liberation period was a hit and received many awards.
   It can be mentioned that Amar Janmabhumi by Alamgir Kumkum, Banglar 24 Bachhar by S M Ali, Aguner Parash Mani and Shymal Chhaya by Humayun Ahmed, Hangar Nadi Grenade and Megher Pare Megh by Chashi Nazrul Islam, Joyjatra by Toukir Ahmed were also made focussing on the war of independence.
   While asked, Chashi Nazrul Islam said ‘it is encouraging that many filmmakers both senior and junior are coming forward to make films on the war of independence and, viewers of all classes are accepting the theme.’ I have also taken another attempt with Dhrubatara. The film is based on Rabeya Khatun’s novel Maha Pralayer Par, he added.
   Toukir Ahmed, a well-known actor stepped into the big screen through Joyjatra. His debut film was able to draw attention of a cross section of viewers. About the shooting the director said, ‘With the assistance of the Bangladesh army, navy and air force I have used original weapons of the time, military fatigues and other paraphernalia to create an authentic environment of 1971.
   Humayun Ahmed took an attempt for making films on the war of independence in the early 90s. Among the films by Humayun, Shymal Chhaya has been invited to be screened at the 78th Academy awards under the foreign language film category.
   Cinema is one of the most popular forms of entertainment all over the world. In this country the journey began in 1956 with Mukh O Mukhosh by Jabber Ali Khan but we have come a long way and the industry is now capable of producing around 100 feature films every year. In the last fifty years or so the film industry of Bangladesh has been able to develop its own identity with the themes of the films varying from social and historical to fantasies and fairy-tales.
   However, many movie buffs think that problems should be solved and more films based on liberation war should be in the line highlighting the true facts of the war.