Sohel Rana Bayati’s debut feature film “Noya Manush” has been officially invited to two prestigious international film festivals, the 24th Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) in Bangladesh and the World Cultural Festival in Pakistan.
Based on A.M.M. Hasanuzzaman’s acclaimed novel “Bedonar Baluchore,” the film is written for the screen by noted playwright Masum Reza, who also penned the dialogues. The cast includes Mousumi Hamid, Ashis Khandaker, Jhuna Chowdhury, Raonak Hasan, Shikha Karmakar, Nilufar Wahid, Badruddoza, Mahin Rahman, Nazmul Hossain, Smaran Saha, Sanjana Mehran, and child actor Ushoshi.
Speaking about the festival selections, Masum Reza said, “I am truly delighted that ‘Noya Manush’ is being invited to international festivals. Writing its screenplay was a challenging process as I had to confront complex social and religious questions. The story reflects the coexistence of people beyond religious and social divides. I hope global audiences will understand our social reality and cultural heritage through this film.”
Organized by the Rainbow Film Society, the Dhaka International Film Festival is one of Bangladesh’s most respected cinematic events, aiming to promote a healthy film culture and connect local filmmakers with global cinema. Its 24th edition will be held from January 10 to 18, 2026, with “Noya Manush” competing in the Bangladesh Panorama category.
Meanwhile, the World Cultural Festival, organized by the Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) Karachi in collaboration with the Sindh Government, runs from October 31 to December 7, 2025. The 38-day celebration brings together art, music, theatre, and dance from over a hundred countries. As part of its weekly film showcase, “Noya Manush” will be screened on November 27, 2025, at 4 p.m. local time.
Reflecting on the dual festival recognition, director Sohel Rana Bayati said, “We wanted to tell a simple story in a sincere way. The encouragement we are receiving from both home and abroad is overwhelming. Having my first film screened internationally inspires me to keep creating.”
Shot by Kamal Chandra Das during Super Cyclone Sitrang in the remote Kanudir Char of Chandpur, “Noya Manush” features songs by Baul Shafi Mondol, Chandana Majumder, Belal Khan, Animesh Roy, Masa Islam, and Khairul Wasi, with music directed by Emon Chowdhury, Mushfiq Litu, and Shovon Roy.
