Cast/Credits - Arifin Shuvoo, Rajit Kapoor, Nusrat Imroz Tisha, Deepak Antani, Gaurav Sharma, Mehmood Siddique
Director - Shyam Benegal
Producer - NFDC & BFDC
Where to watch - In theatres near you
Rating - 3 stars
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's life history on reel begins as he returns back to his country after being jailed for nine months in the Pakistan jail. Mujib narrates the story while being in the jail, how his grave was being dug. Thereafter the story line turns to his early childhood days. His marriage is fixed at a young age. Hereafter, the story then sets out to reveal his entire political life, how it started until the culmination of independent Bangladesh. Suffering that he and the family and the Bengali residents of Bangladesh faces has been depicted through his political journey in the narrative.
In 1947, Pakistan was partitioned into West and East Pakistan. Mujib takes the membership of "Bangla Muslim League. East Pakistan was demanding Bangla as their National language. Jinnah did not accept this demand.
A little later Mujib demanded six points that he presented in writing. However, just after three years of Bangladesh being freed from the clutches of West Pakistan, Mujib and his family was assassinated mercilessly by his own Army soldiers on August 15, 1975. Both daughters - Shaikh Haseena and Rehana survived because they flew to Germany.
Shyam Banegal's, Mujib The Making Of A Nation, is based on the life story of the founder of Bangladesh - Mujibur Rahman. The assassination of Mujib and his entire family members present in the house by his own party members portrayed in the climax indeed creates a spine-chilling emotional feel which runs down the audiences while watching the film in theatres.
About the climax scene choreographed in Shyam Benegal’s words, ‘It was well described by a lot of people, on that basis we choreographed. I wanted this as one continuous action. I didn't want to cut paste but canned it in one entire shot as I wanted the build-up within the frame. So you experience the terror of that time. I wanted to show the ruthlessness of these people who attacked the entire family one after the other.
Shyam Benegal returns after almost 13 years taking the reins of direction in his hands. Known for excellent directorial ventures right from - Ankur, Zubeda, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and many more. This time again beyond an iota of doubts he has narrated the story of Mujib's lifetime meticulously showcasing the overpowering of the Pak Armed Forces in the narrative to the fullest. Shyam jee always treats the subject honestly which the audiences can see clearly through his lenses and enjoy the intriguing content. Mujib is par excellence, one more addition to his directorial ventures. No one other than Shyam jee can boast of directing political- socio- drama so vivaciously well, as he forces the audiences to sit on the edge of the seat and enjoy his film devoid of songs and item numbers.
Editing according to the subject matter is apt. However, a little crisper editing would have enhanced the pace of the film avoiding a few boring moments. Screenplay catches up fast movements after the interval .The film shows an era of /from 1947 and even early times so the narrative is slow enough. Music had no scope so whatever classical music presented is soothing enough to our ears.
Arifin Shuvoo played the part of Mujib, a tall handsome hunk suited the character of Mujib to the fullest and played his part effortlessly well- facing the challenges of portraying both personal and political life magnificently as the character demanded. Nusrat Imros Tisha as his wife added spice to her political knowledge and as a house wife she always supported her husband [Mujib] with brilliant political advice .The rest of the cast and credits too performed well.
All in all, Mujib the Making Of A Nation is a must watch film. Such period films should be watched globally so as to know the narrative of that era and especially, people living in independent countries should know fully well it’s a herculean task to get freedom from the clutches of any ruling party.
