Acclaimed Indian filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has lauded Bangladeshi filmmaker Mohammad Touqir Islam’s debut feature Delupi, describing the film as a moving and humane portrayal of rural Bangladesh that resonates far beyond its setting.
The film, which premiered in Bangladeshi cinemas last year, has already earned praise at home before travelling to several international film festivals. Most recently, it drew admiration from Kashyap, who shared his thoughts on the film through the movie review platform Letterboxd.
On Sunday, director Mohammad Touqir Islam posted a screenshot of Kashyap’s Letterboxd review on Facebook, expressing his gratitude.
“Anurag Kashyap watched Delupi and shared his thoughts. I can’t express how I feel,” Touqir wrote.
In his review, Kashyap wrote: “Power play at the smallest level in the village of Delphi cut off from rest of Bangladesh by a flood post the regime change. Very humane and feels like our own back yard love it. A small village becomes the metaphor for the whole country… rebuilding the dam is like rebuilding the country from scratch with no resources. Moved me in ways I can’t describe,” adding a heart emoji to his post.
Released in Bangladesh on November 7 last year, Delupi explores the realities of life in the country’s southern Khulna region, focusing on river erosion, climate change, the impact of national politics on local communities and the daily struggles of ordinary people.
The story unfolds after the country’s head of government flees amid a popular uprising, while a devastating flood engulfs a remote village already grappling with political uncertainty. Homes, livelihoods and infrastructure are washed away overnight.
At the centre of the narrative is Partha, played by Chiranjit Biswas, the son of a traditional folk theatre performer, who witnesses the gradual collapse of his family in the aftermath of the disaster. Amid the despair, his growing relationship with Nupur, portrayed by Aditi Roy, offers a rare source of hope and emotional warmth, adding a poignant romantic dimension to the film’s stark social realism.
Following its domestic release, Delupi also secured a place in the prestigious International Film Festival Rotterdam, further strengthening its international recognition.
