Bangabandhu biopic cast draws mixed reaction

The primary list of actors for much anticipated Bangabandhu biopic, revealed by BFDC on Tuesday, has caused a stir in the entertainment industry. The news became the "talk-of-the-town" and is making rounds on social media since then. Media personalities, film experts, netizens have expressed mixed reactions on the cast of the film.

TBS reached out to directors, actors, film activists and journalists to learn more about what they are thinking of the cast of the biopic.

Belayat Hossain Mamun, film-maker, writer and president of Moviyana Film Society, told us, "As the film is still in pre-production phase, there is nothing much to talk about it now. However, I am really dissatisfied with the casting, as it seems the motive of the casting was to popularise the film, rather than making it a good one – which is disappointing. That's all I can say at the moment."

Nurul Alam Atique, television dramatist and director, told TBS, "I actually believe when a production selects an actor, they have their reasons. Production team and director make these calls based on the requirements of a story."

Film-maker Razibul Hossain, known for directing the film "Life in Rainbow" said, "I personally think they didn't have to publish the list of actors this way, because all of us already have an image of his life (Bangabandhu). The audience would now have a detailed imagination of who is playing what in their mind before going to the theatre. This way, the audiences' imaginations have been limited."

Saimum Saad, a journalist, is optimistic about the cast as he thinks lobbyists were not included in the list. He told TBS, "I personally believe the cast is at least neutral because the regular lobbyists who always lobby during the National Film Awards or in any other big project, most of them are not in the list of actors for this film. From that perspective, the list seems clean and unbiased. Lobbyists not influencing the casting is a huge step for our country."

In the film Nusrat Faria will be seen playing the younger Sheikh Hasina while Jannatul Sumaiya will play the role of adult Sheikh Hasina. This casting call has made the cinema enthusiasts inquisitive about the final production.

Film aficionado and journalist Rakshanda Rahman Misha shared her opinions with us. She said, "I am not happy with certain casting decisions of the film. As a film lover, I was expecting better casting choices from the team of this biopic."

Arifin Shuvoo will play the lead role of Bangabandhu in the film. Previously, it was rumoured that Tariq Anam Khan would also play the role. The cast of the film includes Raisul Islam Asad, Dewan Mohammad Saiful Islam Sayem Samad, Tauquir Ahmed, Shahidul Alam Sachchu, Khondokar Hafiz, Nusarat Imrose Tisha, Rokeya Prachi, Misha Sawdagor, among others in various roles.