In the late 1970s, filmmaker Azizur Rahman came across a heartbreaking newspaper report about a schoolboy who died after being trapped inside a school bathroom during the Eid holidays. The incident later inspired the acclaimed film ‘Chutir Ghonta’, which went on to become one of the country’s most emotional and commercially successful films.
While shooting’ Oshikkhito’ in Chattogram, Azizur Rahman reportedly read the tragic story in the newspaper ‘Banglar Bani’ during a break. Deeply affected by the incident, he decided to bring the story to the big screen. However, convincing producers proved difficult.
At the time, mainstream Bangladeshi cinema was dominated by hero and heroine centred commercial films, and many producers reportedly questioned whether a story about a boy dying inside a bathroom could attract audiences.
Eventually, producer Sotto Saha and his production house Swaralipi Banichitro agreed to support the project, with Romola Saha taking responsibility as producer.
Although the original incident took place in Narayanganj, the film’s story centred on a 12-year-old schoolboy named Khokon, or Asaduzzaman Khokon, who studied at a school in Dhaka. Cheerful and lively, Khokon was loved by both teachers and classmates and shared a close bond with the school caretaker Abbas Mia.
As Eid holidays approached, Khokon went shopping with his mother and grandfather, where he watched magician Jewel Aich perform an escape act. Fascinated, he asked whether someone could escape from a locked room. The magician replied that it was possible to escape from any locked place, even a prison cell.
The line later became one of the film’s most haunting moments.
On the final day before Eid holidays, Khokon entered the school bathroom while waiting for his transport home. Unaware that anyone remained inside, caretaker Abbas Mia locked the school premises and left for the 11-day holiday.
When Khokon emerged from the bathroom, he realised the doors had been locked from outside.
Meanwhile, panic spread at home as family members searched desperately for the missing child. Announcements were made across neighbourhoods and many assumed he had been abducted. Inside the locked bathroom, Khokon could hear the search efforts and cried out for help, but no one heard him.
Days passed. Eid came and went. Eventually, the water supply ran out, and the boy could no longer survive.
Child actor Master Suman received widespread praise for his portrayal of Khokon. Razzak played caretaker Abbas Mia, while Shabana portrayed cleaner Anguri Begum. The cast also included Sujata, Shawkat Akbar and ATM Shamsuzzaman.
According to accounts from the production, Razzak remained dressed in a lungi throughout filming to stay immersed in character. The film’s soundtrack, composed by Sotto Saha, also became hugely popular, particularly the song ‘Ekdin Chuti Hobe’, Onek Dure Jabo’.
Director Azizur Rahman reportedly searched across several locations before selecting a rest house near the Kaptai Dam area for filming.
Before release, the censor board raised objections, fearing the film could frighten children. In response, Azizur Rahman arranged a special screening attended by children and parents. Instead of fear, audiences reportedly left the theatre in tears, helping clear the way for the film’s release.
Even after receiving clearance, many cinema halls were initially reluctant to screen the film.
Chutir Ghonta was eventually released in only 20 theatres. Despite the limited opening, it went on to run for weeks and, in some places, several months across the country.
Following its release, the film reportedly earned nearly Tk4 crore at the box office, a remarkable achievement for its time.
