From 1990s university life to Mirpur’s garment-scrap trade, family ties and student struggles, four Bangladeshi films offer different stories for the Durga Puja holidays. Chirkut, Cut-Piece and Sneher Bondhon open on 16 October, while Onnopata arrives on 23 October.
Chirkut: Back to 1990s Rajshahi University
Directed by Muntasir Akib, Chirkut draws on a real incident at the University of Rajshahi in the 1990s. Its cast includes Shamol Mawla, Azizun Mim, Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed, Sumon Patwary, Tehzib, Abdullah Al Sentu, Sanjib Ahmed, Shawon Ashraf, Iqbal, Ajmal Mithu, Siam Nasir, Shimul, Sadi Khan, Shamim Ahsan, Sheikh Chandni, Mahira Hasan and Ibrahim Sujon. Between 250 and 300 university students also appear. The film offers campus nostalgia and a glimpse of a defining period.
Cut-Piece: Inside Mirpur’s scrap trade
Iffat Jahan Momo makes her feature debut with this action film set in Mirpur’s jhut-potti, where garment-industry scraps fuel a trade shaped by politics and power struggles. Shifat Amin Shuvo and Rafah Nanjeba Torsa lead the cast, alongside antagonist Imran Ahmed Saudagar, Elina Shammi, Bappi Ashraf, Saiful Kabir, Shahzada Samrat and Sami Doha. The production used real locations and no stunt doubles. It opens in 23 cinemas, including Star Cineplex, Blockbuster Cinemas and Lion Cinemas.
Sneher Bondhon: Family and difficult choices
Kamruzzaman directs this social, family and action drama inspired by true events, after several release delays. Mou Khan and Joy Chowdhury lead the cast, with Saberi Alam, Subrata Barua, Rasheda Chowdhury and Kazi Hayat. Mou plays a woman willing to face any situation for love and family values. The film opens in 14 cinemas, including Lion Cinemas and Sainik Club.
Onnopata: Students make their own film
Made over two years without major production backing, Onnopata explores family expectations, financial hardship, love, identity and university admission struggles. Students funded it through personal savings and tuition earnings. CUET student Mohammad Shahajahan wrote, scripted and directed the film under SJA Production, alongside producers Ankon Dey and Abtahi Shams. More than 40 students from BUET, CUET, Dhaka University and Chittagong University joined the six-person founding team. Shahriar Shakil and Protyasha Ghosh star in the 100-minute film, which features six original songs. It opens in Dhaka, Chattogram, Jashore and Sylhet on 23 October, with further releases planned for Rajshahi, Cumilla and elsewhere.
