Renowned filmmaker Syed Wahiduzzaman Diamond is set to bring the life of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani to the silver screen through a biopic titled Bhasani.
Maulana Bhasani, revered as a champion of the oppressed, played a crucial role in Bangladeshi politics and dedicated his life to fighting for the rights of marginalized and hardworking people.
Confirming the project, Diamond said that the film’s shooting is scheduled to begin on May 16 next year, commemorating the historic Farakka Long March led by Bhasani on May 16, 1976, against the Farakka Barrage.
“We are currently in the pre-production phase, and preparations are in full swing,” he added.
Dreaming of the biopic for over 15 years
“Maulana Bhasani was a towering figure in this region’s politics since the British rule, yet many of his achievements remain unknown to the younger generation,” Diamond explained. “I’ve wanted to tell his story for over a decade and a half, but the timing wasn’t right. Now, I feel ready to make an informative and impactful film.”
Diamond’s dream of making Bhasani began after the release of his first film, Nacholer Rani (2006), which depicted the struggles of Ila Mitra, a farmer leader and symbol of resilience for oppressed people. However, circumstances at the time were not favourable for a film about Bhasani.
The director, who earned the National Film Award in eight categories for Gangajatra (2011), including Best Director and Best Storyboard, reflected on his earlier hesitation.
“Bhashani’s legacy has been overshadowed by political complexities for years. I feared whether such a film could even be released. But times have changed—there’s no power that can silence Bhasani’s story now.”
Film to chronicle Bhashani’s life
The biopic will cover Bhashani’s life starting from the age of 13, with three actors portraying him at different stages. Diamond emphasised his desire to cast fresh talents, saying, “We plan to hold auditions to discover new faces for the role. Once finalized, the official cast will be announced.”
With Bhasani, Diamond aims to shed light on the untold stories of a political icon who stood for the downtrodden, ensuring that his legacy is preserved for future generations.