Watch: ‘Meghmallar’ team discusses film at IIFI

Zahidur Rahim Anjan’s acclaimed debut Meghmallar, adapted from a short story titled Raincoat by novelist Akhteruzzaman Elias, was screened at the 51st edition of the International Film Festival of India, being held in Goa from January 16 to January 24.

Bangladesh has been selected as this year's "Country in Focus" - a feat achieved for the first time. Four films from Bangladesh, including Meghmallar, were screened as part of the segment.

Director Zahidur Rahim Anjan, lead actors Shahiduzzaman Selim and Aparna Ghosh attended a press conference shortly after the screening and discussed the significance and challenges of making their film. 

Jibondhuli by Tanvir Mokammel, Under Construction by Rubaiyat Hossain and anthology film Sincerely Yours, Dhaka by Nuhash Humayun, Syed Ahmed Shawki, Rahat Rahman Joy, MD Robiul Alam, Golam Kibria Farooki, Mir Mukarram Hossain, Tanvir Ahsan, Mahmudul Islam, Abdullah Al Noor, Krishnendu Chattopadhyay, Syed Saleh Ahmed Sobhan, are the remaining three films which have been screened.  

'Made in Bangladesh' director Rubaiyat Hossain also served as one of the jurors of the five-member International jury board for 2021.

IFFI in 2020 was postponed to January this year due to the pandemic and is being held in a hybrid format. Founded in 1952, the festival also hosts India's biggest film market, Goa Film Bazaar.