After a long two-year wait, acclaimed filmmaker Kamar Ahmad Simon’s much-discussed film ‘Anyadin…’ is finally heading to theatres this July. The news was confirmed by producer Sara Afreen, although the exact release date has yet to be announced.
On Tuesday evening, a special screening of the film was held at Star Cineplex’s Shimanto Shambhar branch in the capital. Invited guests from the country’s cultural and intellectual circles attended the exclusive show.
Advisers to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Farida Akhter and to the Ministry of Education Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar were present at the event, along with noted poet Farhad Mazhar, theatre icon Syed Jamil Ahmed, photographer Shahidul Alam, writer Mohiuddin Ahmed, singer Luva Nahid Chowdhury, actress Azmeri Haque Badhan, and Bangla Academy DG Mohammad Azam, among others.
The film, which faced obstacles under the previous government for its bold political commentary and depiction of law and order, was stuck at the censor board since May 2023. Following a political shift, the newly formed Bangladesh Film Certification Board approved the film in March this year, clearing its path to release.
‘Anyadin…’ has already made its mark globally. It was officially selected for the Cinéfondation section at the Cannes Film Festival in 2017. Its world premiere took place at Amsterdam’s Tusinski Theatre in 2021 as part of the main competition at IDFA. The film also earned the Harrell Award for Best Feature at the Camden International Film Festival in 2022.
Kamar Ahmad Simon earlier made history by becoming the first Bangladeshi filmmaker to receive the Featured Director honour at Locarno’s Piazza Grande in 2016 and bagging the Arte International Prize from France for this project.
