Masud Rana’s international allies land in Dhaka
Bangladesh's iconic spy Masud Rana (played by ABM Sumon) is on a mission, and his trusted alliance finally landed in Dhaka this Sunday. The audience eagerly waits to witness how they help him fight terrorists as "MR-9: Do or Die" hits theatres on August 25.
The Daily Star caught up with the core team, consisting of the ship's captain Asif Akbar, along with the international cast-- Niko Foster (CIA officer Paul), Zhang Xueli Snow (Chinese MSS agent Kong), and action director Philip Tan at Channel i's office, where they reflected upon the film, their experience in Bangladesh, and more.
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"Upon our arrival in Dhaka, police officials immediately recognised us at the airport. We spent about an hour having casual conversations with them," shared Niko Foster, who is also the co-producer of the project.
"They were ecstatic to meet us, and this boosted our spirit as we looked forward to promoting our film in Bangladesh," shared the actor.
"MR-9: Do or Die" is a visual adaptation of "Dhongsho Pahar", the first edition of the popular spy series Masud Rana, authored by eminent writer Qazi Anwar Husain.
Most of the time, when a film is adapted from a book, its readers are often comparing the original to its silver screen depiction. When we asked the director whether he was able to justify the original novel, he replied, "I believe we have successfully adapted Husain's work into a cinematic version that resonates with a modern audience."
"Masud Rana captivated South Asian readers, and we've sought to create the same connection with a wider audience through the film. While staying true to the essence of the story, we've made necessary adjustments to suit contemporary global viewers," the director added.
While the movie focuses on Bangladeshi spy Masud Rana, its core background setup is in Las Vegas, which gives it a Hollywood flair.
When asked about the film's acceptance in Bangladesh, Niko Foster shared his fears and his limitations about the movie, stating, "It's a concern that's always been with us. We navigated a delicate balance, aiming to stay true to the source material while making it appealing to a global audience. It was a challenging act."
"We believe we've achieved that balance. If the audience embraces this first film, it will pave the way for the franchise, as its sequel is already in the works," added Niko.
Jaaz Multimedia claims that "Mr-9" is the highest-budgeted Bangladeshi movie, crafted spending Tk 83 crores. They have also made assumptions that the film will earn Tk 700 crores worldwide.
"I don't know from where this figure has appeared, as it's still an ongoing process. I've been told that it's one of the highest-budgeted films in Bangladesh's history," stated Asif.
Philip Tan, producer and action choreographer of the film, detailed the toughest action sequence in the movie.
"The most challenging scenes were the opening and ending sequences, which required grandeur. We featured the scenes with around 100 stunt performers, complex hand-to-hand combat, and martial arts choreography. Time and budget constraints were a huge concern," said Philip.
Both Niko Foster and Philip Tan were full of praise for the selection of ABM Sumon in the film.
Both Foster and Tan expressed their admiration for ABM Sumon's selection in the film. "We've come across many good-looking Bangladeshi actors, but Sumon stood out," said Philip, adding, "His excellent fitness level was the icing on the cake."
"Our chemistry as characters clicked, and we collaborated smoothly on-screen. Not only are we great friends on camera, but also off-camera," revealed Niko.
"I've had about 15-20 years of training in Kung Fu in the Shaolin Temple. I landed the role by impressing Asif with my swordsman skills in the audition," said Zhang Xueli Snow, portraying Kong, an MSS agent in the film.
"MR-9" is the first Bangladeshi movie to be featured in Chinese media.
Most of the promotional efforts are geared towards the worldwide premiere on August 24 at SKS Tower. The creators have also received an invitation to showcase their film in China. Once they return to the States at the end of the month, they will embark on a nationwide tour, covering cities like Dallas, Chicago, and New York.
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