A striking image of hero Razzak wearing a hat has been widely shared on social media, yet many cannot identify which film it is from. The still comes from ‘Jhorer Pakhi’, directed by CB Zaman and released on March 3, 1973.
Based on Nihar Ranjan Gupta’s novel ‘Bodhu’, the film is regarded as a classic of Bengali cinema, citing it as the director’s debut feature.
Many regard the film as the country’s first suspense drama.
The screenplay and dialogues were crafted by Bengali cinema legend Khan Ataur Rahman. Film researcher Mir Shamsul Alam Babu revealed that CB Zaman was initially reluctant to direct the film but agreed at Khan Ata’s insistence. The rest, as they say, is history.
Alongside Razzak and Shabana, the cast included Khan Ata, Minu Rahman, Kayes, Ayesha Akhtar, Sajjad, Khalil, Khan Zainul, Inam Ahmed, Darashiko and the late Raju Ahmed. Anwara’s younger sister, Nargis, also made her debut in this film. Art direction was by Abdus Sabur, cinematography by Khan Arifur Rahman, and edited by Abu Taleb.
In Jhorer Pakhi, Razzak plays Selim, a banker whose ordinary life is suddenly upended when he is accused of embezzlement and murder. With all evidence stacked against him, Selim goes on the run to prove his innocence, becoming a bird in the midst of a storm.
During this ordeal, his friend Mamun supports him, and he finds refuge in the house of a retired judge while in disguise. Meanwhile, his close associate Gafur Saheb suffers a stroke and Selim’s mother arranges for him to get married, although he had already developed feelings for the judge’s daughter. The story follows Selim as he navigates these trials, ultimately overcoming the storms and clearing his name.
CB Zaman’s son, CF Zaman, recounted his father’s memories of shooting the film’s title sequence. Reflecting, he said, “Razzak Uncle walked a long way from Farmgate to Bangla Motor under my father’s instructions. He walked in front of the camera without question. Near Karwan Bazar, he put his hand to his mouth and asked, ‘How much longer, Zaman Bhai?’ My father, sitting beside the camera in the car ahead, replied, ‘Until I say cut, Razzaq Bhai.’”
To acquire the rights to Bodhu, CB Zaman and Khan Ata visited Gupta’s home in Kolkata and stayed there for two consecutive days, one for discussions, the second to sign the contract and pay the fee.
On the first day, they were served two cups of tea and on the second, two biscuits accompanied the cups of tea. It was an exceptionally hot day, prompting Gupta to switch on a fan in the living room. Afterwards, he jokingly said, “It’s getting hot, so I finally turned on the fan!”
A few days after finalising the release date, the first national parliamentary elections were scheduled for March 7. CB Zaman devised a bold promotional strategy, requesting Khan Ata to arrange a helicopter.
Zaman then distributed leaflets from the air across the country. The campaign was a success. Tickets for the first three days got sold out in advance.
Created with a budget of Tk3 lakh, Jhorer Pakhi earned approximately Tk7 lakh.
