At the Amar Bhashar Chalachitra festival (DUFS), organised by the Dhaka University Film Society, the Hiralal Sen Award 1432 was presented to filmmaker Monirul Haque Akash’s film “The University of Chankharpul.” The film also won the Best Screenplay award. The festival concluded on Sunday evening with the award ceremony.
On February 3, the six-day film festival titled “Amar Bhashar Chalachitra 1432” began at the Teachers-Students Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University. A total of 20 feature films and three short films, both new and old, were showcased during the festival.
On Sunday evening, film critic Bidhan Rebeiro presented the Hiralal Sen Award to Akash Haque. Also present at the event were Tarek Ahmed, director of Dhaka Doc Lab, and Professor Habiba Rahman, moderator of the Dhaka University Film Society.
Earlier, the film had sparked discussion after being awarded at the Dhaka International Film Festival. It is set to be released in theaters soon.
After receiving the award, he said, “Receiving any award is joyful; it adds to the happiness of the work. It was awarded at the Dhaka International Film Festival. It feels good to receive another award.”
Additionally, Tamim Noor’s film “Utshob” won awards for Best Director, Cinematography, and Sound Design.
The festival is held every year at the TSC in the spirit of the Language Movement. This year, the opening film, screened at 6:30 pm, was “Ekhane Rajnoitik Alap Joruri,” directed by Ahmed Hasan Sunny. The film was released in theaters across the country on January 16. In the film, Imtiaz Barshon plays the role of Noor, a Bangladeshi living abroad.
The festival also showcased Sunil Bandyopadhyay’s “Deya Neya,” Alamgir Kabir’s “Surjo Konna,” Saraf Ahmed Zibon’s “302,” Raihan Rafi’s “Tandoob,” Saluddin’s “Rupban,” Sadik Ahmed’s “The Last Thakur,” Piplu Khan’s “Jaya aar Sharmin,” Monirul Haque’s “The University of Chankharpul,” Harunur Rashid’s “Megher Onek Rong,” Tojammel Haque Bakul’s “Beder Meye Josna,” Mithu Khan’s “Neelchokro,” Kamar Ahmad Simon’s “Anyadin,” Tapan Sinha’s “Harmonium,” Tareque Masud’s “Muktir Gaan,” Sunny Sanwar’s “Esha Murder,” and Tanim Noor’s “Utshob.”
On the closing day, three feature films and three short films were screened. The day’s screenings began with Belal Ahmed’s “Noyoner Alo,” followed by Kazi Hayat’s “Dhor,” Mahfuz Sharif’s “Maya: The Name We Call,” Ahsabul Yamin’s “Jonmo Theke Jolchi,” and Ummid Ashraf’s “Dhet.” The closing film was Kolkata-based Joybrat Das’s “The Academy of Fine Arts.”
