Mohammad Nuruzzaman’s Mastul drew an overwhelming response at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on Monday (10 August), with a packed auditorium and audiences spilling onto the stairs and floor during the film’s screening as part of the three-day Ekal Sekal film festival.
The film was screened at 8pm at the National Art Gallery Auditorium.
A large crowd gathered outside well before the screening, with long queues forming at the entrance.
Once the doors opened, all available seats were filled within a short time.
As more viewers continued to arrive, many sat on the stairs and floor, while others occupied the aisles and the space in front of the first row.
Some audience members who could not enter waited outside the auditorium.
The turnout left Nuruzzaman overwhelmed. Sharing his experience on social media, the director recalled seeing the long queue before the screening and realising that the number of people waiting appeared to exceed the auditorium’s capacity.
Once the doors opened, he said, every seat was quickly taken.
According to Nuruzzaman, the atmosphere inside the auditorium remained lively throughout the screening, with applause, laughter and spontaneous reactions from the audience.
He said the collective experience of watching a film on the big screen was something that could not be recreated at home.
Many viewers also stayed back after the screening to take part in a question-and-answer session with the filmmakers.
Nuruzzaman described the interaction as particularly rewarding, saying the Mastul team had never experienced such an enjoyable audience session in Bangladesh.
Actor Fazlur Rahman Babu reportedly compared the experience to the satisfaction of performing live on stage.
Organised by BSA, Ekal Sekal is screening six films free of charge over three days.
The festival also featured Khan Ataur Rahman’s classic Abar Tora Manush Ho on its second day.
Mastul explores life along the river and port, focusing on people living on the margins of society.
The story follows Makbul, a cook working aboard an ageing oil tanker, and Noora, a street child living around the port. Their lives and relationship form the emotional centre of the film.
Reflecting on the packed screening, Nuruzzaman called the audience response a special achievement for the Mastul team.
He also indicated that another screening of the film could be held at Shilpakala Academy soon.
