The image of a train is deeply intertwined with the history of world cinema. In 1895, Auguste and Louis Lumière made ‘The Arrival of a Train’, a 50-second film that marked the beginning of the train’s long journey through cinematic history.
Since then, trains have appeared in countless great literary and cinematic works and they are no stranger to the stories of Humayun Ahmed, one of Bangladesh’s most beloved authors.
One such story is ‘Kichukhhon’ (A Little While), a novel that both begins and ends aboard a train. On the book’s flap, Humayun wrote, “Every time I see a train, I feel like getting on board. There are many level crossings in Dhaka and I often find myself waiting as a train passes by. I watch the passengers and think how happy they must be. This novel begins in a train compartment and ends there too. The story finishes but the train keeps moving. It feels as though its final destination is some wondrous, magical world.”
Now, this celebrated novel is being brought to life on screen by Tanim Noor, the director best known for ‘Utshob’. Speaking to The TIMES of Bangladesh on Tuesday, Noor confirmed that he acquired the rights to the novel from the Humayun Ahmed family last month. The screenplay is currently in development, written by Ayman Asib Swadhin and Samiul Bhuiyan.
The film has been titled ‘Bonolota Express’. Despite sharing its name with a train that travels to Rajshahi, Noor clarified that the story will not be set there.
When asked why he chose Kichukhhon for his second feature film, the director reflected on the long-standing cinematic relationship with trains. “From The Arrival of a Train in 1895 to Pather Panchali and our very own Golapi Ekhon Traine, trains have always fascinated filmmakers. Many of my favourite directors have used trains as a symbol of journey and change. Since a large part of this story unfolds inside a train, it immediately drew me in,” he said.
The novel begins with a young woman named Chitra, a role reportedly being considered for Sabila Noor. Actors Shariful Razz and Chanchal Chowdhury are also said to be in talks. However, Tanim Noor emphasised that no cast member has been finalised yet.
“There isn’t really a single central character in this story. It’s about many people, each with their own narrative. We’re still in discussions with several actors, but no one has been formally signed.”
Noor added that the train interiors will be recreated on a custom-built set, while exterior scenes will likely be filmed at Kamalapur Railway Station or another real location.
Production for Bonolota Express is expected to begin in December, with plans to release the film around Eid-ul-Fitr next year. It is being co-produced by Buriganga Talkies and Hoichoi Studios, a branch of the popular Indian OTT platform Hoichoi.
When asked if there were plans to release the film in India, Noor replied,
“Yes, that’s something we definitely intend to do.”
