‘Bonolata Sen’ enters Eid release lineup

Several films are expected to hit theatres this upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, with announcements already made for titles including "Prince", "Domm", "Rakkhosh", "Bonolota Express" and "Pinik", among others. The list has now expanded with the addition of "Bonolata Sen".

Director Masud Hasan Ujjal had initially planned to release the film in 2024 but postponed it after considering the country's overall situation. It has now been confirmed that "Bonolota Sen" will finally see the light of day in the new year, with a theatrical release planned for Eid-ul-Fitr.

The government-grant film is inspired by the fictional character Bonolata Sen, created by poet Jibanananda Das. Masuma Rahman Nabila stars in the titular role, though she did not secure the part easily. The actor was first offered a different character in the film, which she declined, expressing interest only in portraying Bonolata Sen. After three rounds of auditions, director Masud Hasan Ujjal finalised her for the role.

The film also features Khairul Basar as Jibanananda Das, alongside performances by Sohel Mondol, Naziba Basher, Priyonti Urbee, Ruponti Akid, Sharif Siraj and Sumaiya Khushi.

"Bonolata Sen" received a government grant of Tk 70 lakh in the 2021–22 fiscal year. The director said he left no stone unturned in making the film, taking additional time to complete the project with care.

"Working on Jibanananda Das demands a great sense of responsibility," Masud Hasan Ujjal said. "Research, preparation and finding the right performers were all challenging. We rehearsed for a long time, and production design played a major role. Creating the visual world I envisioned took considerable time."

The director added that the team is planning to release "Bonolata Sen" during Eid-ul-Fitr 2026, with promotional activities set to begin soon through an official announcement.