Dhaka: ‘Cha Gorom’, an upcoming film exploring the untold realities of Bangladesh’s tea garden communities, is set to premiere on Chorki on April 14, coinciding with the celebration of Pahela Baishakh. Directed by Shankha Dasgupta, the film aims to move beyond the conventional portrayal of tea gardens as scenic backdrops and instead delve into the lives and struggles of workers within the sector.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the project is produced by Oxfam in collaboration with Chorki, with support from the European Union. The film’s official poster was unveiled on April 5. Speaking about Cha Gorom, Shankha Dasgupta said that tea gardens in Bangladesh are often used as a visual backdrop, but this film challenges that notion by exploring the inner workings of the tea gardens and the lives of the workers.
Shankha Dasgupta shared that during his time living in tea garden communities to develop the story, he realised how little he and the general public knew about these environments. ‘Cha Gorom’ is scheduled for release on Chorki on 14 April, marking the celebration of Pahela Baishakh. While the Bengali New Year symbolises renewal and new beginnings, the director has not disclosed whether the film reflects similar themes.
The film features a cast of emerging talents, including Safa Kabir, Partho Sheikh, Rezwan Pervez, and Sarah Jabin Aditi. The official poster offers limited insight into their characters, but audiences can expect further revelations through the upcoming teaser or trailer. The cast members have also shared their perspectives on being part of the film, offering additional insight into the project.
Actress Safa Kabir expressed her motivation to join the project due to the powerful storyline and the director’s vision. Actor Rezwan Parvez was drawn to the film after seeing the producer’s involvement and found his character challenging. Actor Partho saw it as a good opportunity to work with Shankha Dasgupta and was inspired by the story.
Ashis Damle, country director of Oxfam in Bangladesh, emphasized the importance of highlighting the lives of tea garden workers, who are integral to Bangladesh’s economy but whose stories are rarely told. Robi has also partnered with the film, and Redwan Rony, Chief Executive Officer of Chorki, described it as an inspirational story aligned with the spirit of renewal symbolized by Baishakh.
AK Azad Setu is also involved in the story. ‘Cha Garam’ is written and directed by Saifullah Riyad, with the main idea, research, and project led by Md. Saariful Islam, who coordinated the film initiative on behalf of Oxfam.