Filmmaker Muntashir Akib is making his feature-film debut with Chirkut, a story inspired by a real incident at Rajshahi University in the 1990s. The film is scheduled to reach cinemas during the upcoming Durga Puja.
The film takes viewers back to university life in the 1990s, weaving together themes of friendship, love, youth and nostalgia around the incident that inspired the story. Akib has taken charge of the project as its writer, screenwriter and director.
According to Akib, the idea for Chirkut came from the real-life incident and his desire to connect the emotions of that era with audiences today.
“The story of ‘Chirkut’ began with a true incident that took place at Rajshahi University in the 1990s. One of the aims of the film is to create a connection between the emotions, relationships and memories of that time and audiences of the present generation,” he said.
Akib said he wanted the film to transport audiences to that period rather than simply recount the incident.
“I have tried to present the environment of that period, people’s emotions and the incident through the language of cinema so that audiences can experience that time through the film,” he added.
Bringing the 1990s version of the Rajshahi University campus back to life proved to be one of the major challenges of the production. Akib said the team had to pay particular attention to the period’s clothing, campus setting and the details of everyday life.
The ensemble cast includes Shamol Mawla, Azijun Mim, Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed, Sumon Patwary, Tehzib, Abdullah Al Sentu, Shaon Ashraf, Siam Nasir, Shimul, Sadi Khan, Shamim Ahsan, Mahira Hasan and Ibrahim Sujon.
Akib has also written the film’s story and screenplay. Its four songs feature vocals by Rehaan Rasul, Masha, Mehedi Sarkar and Snehasish Chakraborty Abhi.
