Meghmallar (2014)
9/10
The linear storyline of Meghmallar
7 April 2016
Review on Meghmallar Movie

Introduction: Full-length feature film "Meghmallar" based on short story "Raincoat" by Akhtaruzzaman Elius on the liberation war. Directed by Zahidur Rahim Anjan and under the banner of Bengal Entertainment Limited, the film had won a National Filmmaking Grant last year, and is expected to be premiered in the second week of August. "Meghmallar" casts Shahiduzzaman Selim, Jayanta Chattopadhyay, Mosharraf Karim, Aparna and Aditi in central roles. Noted Indian cinematographer Sudhir Palsane has worked in the film, the music of which was done by Abhijit Basu, from Kolkata (India). The plot is set against the backdrop of the monsoon of 1971, when the Liberation War for Bangladesh had started to gain momentum. An ordinary family – chemistry teacher at a suburban government college Nurul Huda, his wife Asma, daughter Sudha and Asma's brother Mintu. In a span of three days, the family goes through a life-altering experience, after Mintu leaves one morning to join the Freedom Fighters, without informing anyone. To me this movie has a full frame observational masterpiece and the directions, screenplay, art associated the story line, climate, costumes, cultural watermarks, sociological artworks, motivational background music etc. have bloomed the entire time lapse to reassemble Bangladeshi identity. This movie gives me some sort of nostalgic feeling despite of having no relation with the story or plot. Surely, from the very beginning to the last scene, it's a one sitting movie to watch and re-defines the consciousness of the being patriotic.

Director and the movie, a symphony of creation: After completing graduation from the TV and Film Institute India, Pune, Director felt the affinity to re-empire a new movie to reflect the implicit functions of building patriotism of Bengali people. The urge of making the art of life back then, he plotted emotion, fear, discrimination, doubts and suffocation perfectly. He maintained a wide range of visual grasp and concentration to make the story line more realistic. This is inherently a goose bumping narrative with appropriate tidings. Personally after researching on the director and his previous works I've come with the conclusion that Zahidur Rahim Anjan is much focused in arts and the proper infiltration of visual frames of cinematography. Thus the movie merged with the imagination of director and the reality of the story lapse. This film was made under the banner of Bengal Creations Ltd. The music of this film is directed by Abhijit Basu from Kolkata (India)

Plot: An ordinary family of a chemistry teacher at a suburban government college Nurul Huda, his wife Asma, daughter Sudha and Asma's brother Mintu goes through a life-altering experience during Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. It happens when Mintu leaves to join the Freedom Fighters one morning. Asma secretly continues to correspond with her brother not sharing this. One rainy day, Nurul goes to a school function wearing Mintu's raincoat to protect him from the ceaseless rains. Government forces arrest him on suspicion of being a revel and took him into custody. Nurul is then forced to make a decision that affect both the destiny of his family and whole country.

Analysis and the mere dynamics of understanding: The movie has hundreds of plots to be accounted as serious endless discussions. I liked the starting most as the classical song was played in the background and a little kid was riding a bus weaving the independent flag on its front. The climate was astounding, a little dizziness but with the variable glares of hopes to find peace. I liked the frame implementation to make the story more objective and natural. As an observant, I felt so emotional as I've tried to convince myself, I was travelling in that chaotic moments. This played a superlative role to understand their social and psychological interactions, particularly the daughter-father relationship, brother-sister relationship, husband- wife affection, freedom fighters relationship and the rulers-victims discrepancy. I liked the arts and infrastructural architecture of the movie, mainly the bridge, the pottery, the building they are residing, the streets, the college lawns-corridors, tables, windows, costumes (sharee and the pajamas), buses etc. I got frustrated to see that people back then had suffered terrifically with the lack of resources and foods, even in urban areas. It made me sad when I see some self- interested Bengali people negotiated with their real identity with the fake accents they never belonged. At the very edge of the cosmos, I would like to conclude my enthusiasm by saying that, this movie is a glimpse of 1971 life system of a decent family, fortune fed them with fear, loss, doubt, starvation, pain, death, migration and independence.

Recommendation: 'Meghmallar' a story of fear, courage, despair, and hope in the time of liberation war film by director Zahidur Rahim Anjan, won three of 26 categories in recognition for their outstanding contributions to the country's film including best director, best sound and best child actress at the Bangladesh National Film Awards 2014. I wish I could see a little more as it finished, in my point of view, a little earlier. This is a linear movie with maximum simplicity and capable of making deep mark on mind and soul. It accelerates me to feel proud of my nation and I, sincerely show condolence for all the martyrs of the Independence war of 1971.

-Ekramul Fahad, Independent University, Bangladesh [email protected]
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