New Currents Winner Iqbal H. Chowdhury Returns to Busan With ‘Dhakar Nagin’ Project

As I delve deeper into the captivating world of international cinema, I find myself utterly enchanted by the journey of Bangladeshi-Canadian filmmaker Iqbal H. Chowdhury. His unique blend of cultural influences and storytelling prowess is truly a breath of fresh air in today’s cinematic landscape.


At the 2023 Busan International Film Festival, Iqbal H. Chowdhury – a Bangladeshi-Canadian filmmaker who shared the New Currents award for “The Wrestler” – will present his upcoming movie at the festival’s Asian Project Market (APM).

The movie, set in the bustling cityscape of Dhaka, Bangladesh during the early 2000s, tells the story of an intrepid movie journalist on a quest to find a notorious B-movie actor amidst the tumultuous time as there’s an effort to prohibit explicit films.

The concept for ‘Dhakar Nagin’ originated from an essay I presented during my studies at York University in Toronto. My Master’s thesis delved into the subject of popular Bangladeshi cinema, and as part of that, I wrote an essay dissecting the dance routines of Bangla film stars. For me, watching Bangla movies has always been a secret indulgence. The allure of nagin [snake] musicals, action sequences, dance performances, and melodramatic storylines made going to Bangladeshi cinema halls an exhilarating experience. Nurtured by such films during my childhood, I’ve longed for the unique aspects they offered and the sense of secret enjoyment they provided. It’s possible that this nostalgia is what sparked me to create ‘Dhakar Nagin.'” This is how Chowdhury explained it to EbMaster.

A “nagin musical” refers to a type of movie originating in South Asia that centers around the story of a shape-shifting woman resembling a serpent, known as a nagin or naagin in folklore. This mythical being is usually portrayed as seeking revenge or love. These films often combine elements of fantasy, folklore, dramatic storytelling, and romantic themes.

Instead of delivering a particular message, Chowdhury expressed an invitation for his audience to step into his fascinating “universe.” His goal is to craft this universe in such a way that it stands out and leaves them amazed.

Chowdhury is collaborating with the renowned cinematographer Tuhin Tamijul for Mayer Doa Films. Tuhin’s work has been featured in critically-acclaimed films such as “The Wrestler”, Abdullah Mohammed Saad’s Cannes entry “Rehana”, and the Rotterdam selection “Live From Dhaka”.

The projected budget falls within a range of $250,000 to $300,000, and we aim to start filming around mid-2025 as long as funding and other conditions allow. Our team is actively seeking partnerships for co-production, financial backing, production assistance, and pre-sales at APM.

Tamijul expressed great enthusiasm for the movie’s theme, sharing that their collaboration on ‘The Wrestler’ led to a deep comprehension. They have faith in Iqbal’s talents, believing he will breathe life into the film with both skill and honesty.

New Currents Winner Iqbal H. Chowdhury Returns to Busan With ‘Dhakar Nagin’ Project

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2024-10-05 13:46