Mehazabien’s ‘Priyo Maloti’ clears censor board with ‘U’ certification

Mehazabien Chowdhury, a household name on Bangladeshi television and OTT platforms, is transitioning to the silver screen with two highly anticipated films—her first, “Saba”, and the upcoming “Priyo Maloti”. With “Priyo Maloti” set to debut in cinemas soon, the Bangladesh Film Censor Board has granted it a ‘U’ certificate, ensuring it is suitable for all audiences.

Md Moinuddin, Deputy Director of the Bangladesh Censor Board, confirmed the approval, saying, “The screening took place last Thursday, and the certificate will be handed over to the director today or tomorrow.”

Directed by Shankha Dasgupta, “Priyo Maloti” tells the story of a resilient woman, Maloti, who faces the everyday struggles of life in a lower-middle-class family. Mehazabien’s performance in the titular role promises to bring depth and strength to the character, while Dasgupta’s screenplay, co-written with Abu Sayeed Rana, provides the foundation for a powerful narrative. This film marks Dasgupta’s directorial debut in feature films, though he is already an established storyteller in the Bangladeshi entertainment industry.

The supporting cast includes celebrated actors such as Nader Chowdhury, Azad Abul Kalam, Shahjahan Samrat, and Rizvi Riju, lending further credibility to the project.

Not only does “Priyo Maloti” have local audiences excited, but it is also gaining international recognition. The film has been selected for the prestigious International Film Festival of India (IFFI), where it was featured under the title “Whispers of a Thirsty River”. IFFI, one of Asia’s oldest and most renowned film festivals, hosted the film in its Cinema of the World category during its 55th edition in Goa.

Furthermore, “Priyo Maloti” was also selected for the World Cinema category at the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), another significant milestone in the film’s journey. The CIFF, which ran from November 13 to November 22, showcased the best of global cinema, positioning “Priyo Maloti” alongside other critically acclaimed works from around the world.

Although the release date for Bangladeshi audiences has not yet been announced, the film’s producers, Frame Per Second and Chorki, are eagerly planning its local premiere.

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