The liberation war of 1971 is associated with the culture and values of the Bengali nation of Bangladesh. Millions of lives have been sacrificed in this liberation war for the freedom to practice culture in an independent country. Since the birth of Bangladesh, creative movie makers have served to portray the great history of the country and the nation on the silver screen. This article will feature some of the best liberation war-based films in the history of Bangladesh.
Top 10 Movies Based on the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh
Aguner Poroshmoni / Humayun Ahmed / 1994 / IMDb: 9.1
This film, made by the late Humayun Ahmed, the magician storyteller of Bangladesh, is based on the liberation war of 1971. This well-known novelist turned his own novel into a film. Both the novel and the film hold the same title.
The film depicts a tale of Mr. Matin’s family in 1971. As the story advances, a new member called Badi joins the middle class family as a guest. Later Badi, who was a freedom fighter, got shot while carrying out an operation against Pakistani troops and was taken back home. A curfew just then was imposed across the city and the family was eagerly waiting to take Badi to hospital.
The cinema stars Bipasha Hayat, Asaduzzaman Nur, Abul Hayat, Dolly Zahur. This film won National Film Awards in eight categories, including Best Picture.
Ora Egaro Jon / Chashi Nazrul Islam / 1972 / IMDb: 8.9
It was the first film to be shot in post-independence Bangladesh, set against the backdrop of the Great War of Independence of 1971. Directed by Chashi Nazrul Islam, this film is notable for featuring the famous speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on March 7, 1971. Some of the actors in this movie were also freedom fighters. They were Khasru, Murad, Helal and Nantu. The film also stars Razzak, Shabana, Nutan, Syed Hasan Imam, Khalilullah Khan, and many more. The film got the National Film Award as the Best Picture.
Shyamol Chhaya / Humayun Ahmed / 2005 / IMDb: 8.6
This film was also directed and written by the late Humayun Ahmed. The magical specialty of this film is that even without showing the battle scene directly, the atmosphere of the war was highlighted in it.
The film is based on the story of a group of people who fled the war in 1971 to save their lives. They were rushing to a safe destination in an engine-driven boat, although they are not sure if safety will be found anywhere!
The film stars Humayun Faridi, Meher Afroz Shaon, Shimul, Riaz, Tania Ahmed, and Ahmed Rubel.
Hangor Nodi Grenade / Chashi Nazrul Islam / 1997 / IMDb: 8.5
Hangor Nodi Grenade is, in fact, a novel by Selina Hossain published in 1976. She wrote this novel based on the true story of a mother’s sacrifice during the Bangladesh War of Independence in 1971. The mother introduced her mute son as a freedom fighter to save two other freedom fighters from Pakistani soldiers. Film director Chashi Nazrul Islam turned this novel into a movie of the same name.
The film stars Sucharita, Sohail Rana, Aruna Biswas, Imran, Dodul, and Aashiq in different roles. The film won National Film Awards in three categories.
Ekhono Onek Raat / Khan Ataur Rahman / 1997 / IMDb: 8.2
It was the last film directed by renowned composer and movie maker the late Khan Ataur Rahman. This film throws a question to the audience by depicting the picture of the liberation war and the post-liberation period. After the surrender of Pakistani troops on 16th December, is the war really over?
Sucharita, Farooq, Aliraj, Babita, and musician Agun have played the lead roles in the film. Khan Ataur Rahman won the National Film Award for Best Music Director and Best Lyricist.
Joyjatra / Tauquir Ahmed / 2004 / IMDb: 8.3
Taukir Ahmed has written, scripted, and directed the film based on the story of Amjad Hossain, the famous editor, and film director of Bangladesh. This film told the story of happiness and sorrow, death and struggle of a group of people for survival during the war of independence of Bangladesh.
The storyline shows how some refugees including different age-groups, religions and professions were stuck on that boat during the war.
The film stars Bipasha Hayat, Azizul Hakim, Mahfuz Ahmed, Humayun Faridi, Tariq Anam, Abul Hayat and Chandni in different roles.
The film, produced under the banner of Impress Telefilm, won the National Film Award in seven categories, including Best Picture.
Megher Onek Rong / Harunur Rashid / 1976 / IMDb: 8.4
Directed by Harun Rashid, this movie focuses on the liberation war in Bangladesh and the women who were humiliated at that time. Even an abusive woman chooses the path of suicide. Her kid seeks his mother. Eventually, a doctor-couple sheltered him.
Mathin, Omar Elahi, Raushan Ara, and Adnan have played the lead roles. This film is the first color film based on the liberation war of Bangladesh.
The film won National Film Awards in five categories, including Best Picture.
Abar Tora Manush Ho / Khan Ataur Rahman / 1973 / IMDb: 8.5
The film follows a group of young college students who joined the war in ’71. Even after the war ended, they continued their fight to eradicate injustice and misdeeds from the independent country.
The film stars Sarkar Firoz, Babita, Raisul Islam, Raisul Islam Asad, Farooq, and Rawshan Zamil in the lead roles. The director of the film the late Khan Ataur Rahman himself acted as the college principal in the film. Amjad Hossain received the Bacchus Award for Best Story.
Guerrilla / Nasiruddin Yousuff / 2011 / IMDb: 8.2
Directed by Nasir Uddin Yusuf, the film is based on Syed Shamsul Haque’s novel named Nishiddho Loban. The screenplay was co-written by Nasir Uddin Yusuf and Ebadur Rahman.
On the bloody night of March 25, 1971, Bilkis Banu lost her husband. Then he joined the urban guerrilla movement in Dhaka. But when the Razakars passed the news to the Pakistani army, Bilkis had no way to escape.
The cast of this star-studded film includes Jaya Ahsan, Ferdous, ATM Shamsuzzaman, Raisul Islam Asad, Piyush Bandyopadhyay, Shatabdi Wadud, Shampa Reza, and Gazi Rakayet.
The film won National Film Awards in 10 categories, including Best Picture.
Arunodoyer Agnishakkhi / Subhash Dutta / 1972 / IMDb: 8.3
Directed and written by the famous director of Bangladesh, the late Subhash Dutt, this film gave a slightly different look to the liberation war-based films.
During the War of Independence in 1971, many women were tortured by the Pakistani military. However, a film actor came forward to take responsibility for a war heroine.
The film stars Babita, Ujjal, and Anwar Hossain in the lead roles. Subhas Dutt himself has also acted in the film.
Wrap Up
The movies based on 1971, the independence war of Bangladesh testify to the struggle of the Bengali Nation to live a sovereign country. The spirit of revolution till death awakens patriotism in the new generation. At the same time, these sacrifices demand the defense of this priceless independence earned in exchange for blood.
Source: United News of Bangladesh