Love may begin with long conversations and endless excitement, but marriage often brings a very different kind of relationship. That transition forms the heart of the new Chorki Original Film ‘Happily Married’, which will premiere on the streaming platform on 8 October.
The romantic comedy-drama received its premiere at the Liberation War Museum auditorium in Dhaka on 5 October. The audience responded with both laughter and emotion as the film explored different stages of love and married life.
Jahid Preetam has written, directed and scripted the film. His own experience of married life also influenced the story. Married for around a year and a half, the filmmaker said he has gradually begun to understand how a relationship changes when the four or five hours of communication common during courtship become 24 hours of living together.
“My friends told me that after marriage I would understand things and would no longer feel like telling love stories. But that did not happen to me. Instead, love has become gentler. I am learning to deal with reality,” he said.
The story began with a simple idea: to make audiences laugh while telling a story about relationships. Rather than taking a critical approach to marriage, Jahid wanted to highlight the importance of understanding and caring for one another.
He believes small misunderstandings and everyday decisions can create distance between two people, while affection and attention can help keep a relationship strong.
The film marks the first collaboration between Jahid and Arifin Shuvoo. Although he had previously worked with Keya Payel, the director found Shuvoo particularly supportive on set. The actor reportedly kept his phone away during shooting and did not watch the monitor between takes.
During breaks, he preferred listening to music and reading books.
Keya Payel’s real-life social media presence also influenced the casting of her character, Anamika, who is similarly active online. Jahid felt that both actors suited their respective characters.
For Shuvoo, ‘Happily Married’ also marks his return to new content on Bangladesh’s OTT scene after a gap. His most recent release on Chorki was ‘Unish20’, which premiered in 2023. The actor has described every new project as a fresh challenge, even when audiences view it as a comeback.
The film also marks Payel’s first OTT project. She considers the opportunity important because of the story, Jahid’s direction, her co-star and her association with Chorki and Chhayachobi.
Chorki CEO Redwan Rony said the film tells a story that is particularly relevant at a time when people often become so occupied with their surroundings that they forget to enjoy life.
The film is co-produced by Chhayachobi. Producer Nusrat Imrose Tisha said the positive response at the premiere suggested that audiences would be able to connect the story with their own experiences.
Alongside Shuvoo and Payel, the cast includes Salahuddin Lavlu, Tushar Khan, Deepa Khandakar, Cristiano Tanmoy, Umme Jamilatun Naima, Parvez Suman and Twink Carol.
‘Happily Married’ is the seventh film under the Ministry of Love (MOL) project. Previous releases include ‘Something Like an Autobiography’, ‘Last Defenders of Monogamy’, ‘Kacher Manush Dure Thuiya’, ‘Forget Me Not’, ’36-24-36′ and ‘Dimlight’. Jahid Preetam returns to Chorki with his second film after ‘Ghumpari’.
