'Hasina: A Daughter's Tale' released in Dhaka, Chittagong

“Hasina: A Daughter's Tale,” a docudrama on the life of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that has been in the making for five years, was finally released in Dhaka and Chittagong on Friday. 

A special screening was arranged prior to its release Friday morning at the Star Cineplex theatre in Bashundhara City, Dhaka, attended by senior Awami League leaders, ministers, members of parliament (MPs), and renowned media and showbiz personalities.   

The film’s premiere was held on Thursday evening, at the same venue, which had also been attended by some ministers, MPs and renowned media personalities. 

The docudrama - an extensive, five-year-long collaboration between the Centre for Research and Information (CRI) and Applebox Films - was initially released in four theatres: Star Cineplex, Blockbuster Cinemas, Modhumita Cinema Hall in Dhaka, and Silver Screen in Chittagong.

Produced by Radwan Mujib Siddiq and Nasrul Hamid on behalf of CRI, the film was directed by Applebox founder Rezaur Rahman Khan Piplu, with Sadik Ahmed as the cinematographer, Navnita Sen as editor, and Debojyoti Mishra as the music director.

Piplu described the documentary as “a riveting story of a daughter out of a tragic backdrop – the daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.” 

Speaking to reporters after yesterday’s special screening, Debojyoti Mishra thanked the audience and said: “I consider this film to be something which will last an eternity. Further as I am a music technician whose parents lived in this land before the 1947 partition; this is homage to my ancestral land.”

Navnita Sen said: “As editor of this project, I tried to structurally make connections between the personal and public lives of Sheikh Hasina: a daughter whose family was assassinated, a leader, a prime minister, a mother and a grandmother.”

Piplu thanked the audience for the positive response towards the docudrama. “I want you all to take this experience home with you, and also encourage others to watch it – especially the young generation.”

The special screening was attended by Piplu, Navnita Sen, Debojyoti Mishra, producers Radwan Mujib Siddiq and Nasrul Hamid, CRI Executive Director Sabbir Bin Shams, CRI Creative Director Shibu Kumar Shill, GREY Advertising Bangladesh Country Head Syed Gousul Alam Shaon, and members of CRI and Applebox Films. 

Dhallywood film star Shakib Khan and many other stars attended the special screening.