Syeda Zohra Tajuddin was a remarkable political figure whose contributions extended far beyond being the wife of Bangladesh’s first prime minister, Tajuddin Ahmad. Born on December 24, 1932, and passing away on December 20, 2013, she left behind a significant yet under-documented political legacy.
She believed that a nation that ceases to dream can never ascend to the heights of progress.
To introduce her story to a wider audience, an 80-minute documentary, “Zohra: A Trailblazer of Troubled Times”, premiered last evening at the Liberation War Museum Auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka.
Directed and co-written by Sandip Kumar Mistry, with research by Sandip and Zohra Tajuddin’s daughter Sharmin Ahmad Reepi, the documentary is produced by her children -- Sharmin Ahmad Reepi, Simeen Hussain Reemi, Mahjabin Ahmad Mimi and Tanjim Ahmad Sohel Taj.
The premiere was hosted by filmmaker Tanvir Mokammel, the project’s supervising mentor.
At the show, Sharmin Ahmad Reepi and Sohel Taj shared their personal memories of their mother and spoke about the need for the kind of leadership that Syeda Zohra Tajuddin embodied in Bangladesh today.
Speaking to The Daily Star, Sandip Kumar Mistry shared, “I have always been drawn to biographical documentaries. They offer a unique way to understand the history of a society and nation through individual lives, while also bringing attention to historically significant yet under-recognised figures.”
“Following my earlier biographical documentaries, ‘Jyotirmoy: The Professor’ and ‘Basanti: A Struggle for Spring’, I made ‘Zohra: A Trailblazer of Troubled Times’. The initial idea emerged from discussions with my mentor, Tanvir Mokammel, while Sharmin Ahmad Reepi provided invaluable support for the research and production,” he said.
Sandip said the documentary explores the unique dimensions of Zohra Tajuddin both as an individual and as a political leader.
“As the wife of the martyred Tajuddin Ahmad, she was a trusted confidante who advised him on many of the nation’s most important decisions. Beyond this, she was actively involved in the 1960s autonomy movement, the movement for the release of political prisoners, the struggle for women’s rights, and various other political and social causes,” he said.
During the Liberation War of 1971, she endured an immensely difficult period while caring for her young children amid the turmoil,” Sandip shared.
“In her fiery speeches, Zohra Tajuddin often declared, ‘Today, I stand before you with the blood-stained end of my saree; it is for you to deliver justice,’” he added.
Rather than succumbing to grief or fear after losing her husband, she raised her voice in defence of the ideals of the Liberation War and helped rebuild the Awami League during one of the most challenging periods in its history. Her courage and resilience remain a rare example of political leadership, Sandip said.
He also spoke about the challenges of making historical documentaries in Bangladesh.
“One of the greatest challenges is preserving objectivity amid competing and often distorted narratives. Despite this, the pursuit of historical truth must remain at the heart of documentary filmmaking,” he said.
“Guided by Tagore’s belief that ‘Truth is hard, but it never deceives’, our responsibility is to present history as accurately and honestly as possible,” he added.
Sandip said the documentary also highlights the enduring relevance of Zohra Tajuddin’s political values.
“She consistently placed the interests of the nation above personal and partisan concerns, offering an inspiring example for younger politicians. The film also encourages audiences to reflect on history and learn from the successes and failures of the past.”
