A legal dispute involving the upcoming Bangladeshi film ‘Bonolata Sen’ has intensified ahead of its Eid release, with director Masud Hasan Ujjal responding publicly to allegations brought by co-producer Tarun Majumdar.
The film, inspired by Jibanananda Das’s celebrated poem of the same name, marks Ujjal’s second feature following ‘Unoponchash Batash’, which received praise after its limited release during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
After the release announcement of Bonolata Sen, Tarun Majumdar claimed that the project had received Tk 70 lakh in government funding during the 2021-22 fiscal year but later required additional financial support, leading him to join as co-producer.
According to the case filed at the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court under C.R. Case No. 336/25, Tarun alleged that after signing an agreement on December 6, 2022, he invested Tk61 lakh in production.
The producer further claimed that the director later refused to provide production updates, expenditure details and information related to the government grant.
The complaint also alleged that although the ownership agreement stated the film would be jointly owned on a 50-50 basis between the two parties, the condition was not honoured. The director surrendered before the court on April 12 and was granted bail on a bond of Tk500.
Tarun also accused the production of presenting inflated expenditure accounts amounting to nearly Tk60 lakh and alleged that his name had been omitted from documents submitted to the censorship board despite his claimed ownership stake.
He further claimed that incomplete footage had been pieced together and submitted for certification.
Responding to the allegations, Ujjal told local media that he had never denied receiving money from Tarun Majumdar.
“Our agreement was for an investment of Tk80 lakh,” the director said. “But he withdrew from the project midway, saying his wife did not want him to remain involved. Later, from a position of friendship, he requested that some money be returned.”
Ujjal said he had explained that profits were supposed to be shared after release and questioned how funds could be repaid while the film remained unfinished.
Referring to the court proceedings, he said the court had instructed them to release the film and provide the necessary financial documents.
“We have already submitted the censorship application papers and expenditure details to the court,” he said. “At that time, we could not provide the censor certificate because we had not yet received it.”
According to Ujjal, the censor certificate for Bonolata Sen was signed on April 12 but was only handed over on May 7 after Tarun submitted a written complaint to the board on April 9.
He also claimed that content creator Mehedi Hasan Piyal had approached him regarding a possible settlement on Tarun’s behalf. Ujjal said he had agreed on the condition that Tarun publicly withdraw the allegations and the legal case.
“I am still willing to share profits with him,” the director added.
Describing the complaint as “unnecessary behaviour from someone with unhealthy thinking”, Ujjal questioned whether the censor board would have issued certification without properly reviewing the documents.
Tarun Majumdar, however, denied initiating any formal settlement proposal himself. He said Piyal had asked whether he was open to reconciliation, to which he replied positively.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Moinuddin, deputy director of the certification board, said the matter was a dispute between the two parties and confirmed that the board had issued certification following all required procedures.
Bonolata Sen stars Khairul Basar, Masuma Rahman Nabila, Shohel Mondol, Naziba Basher, Priyontee Urbee, Rupanty Akid, Sharif Siraj and Sumaiya Khushi.
