- Monpura
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Monpura 
Monpura films posterDirected by Giasuddin Selim Produced by Anjan Chowdhury Pintu Written by Giasuddin Selim Starring Chanchal Chowdhury
Farhana Mili
Fazlur Rahman Babu
Mamunur Rashid
Monir Khan ShimulMusic by Iqbal E. Kabir Cinematography Kamrul Hasan Khasru Editing by Iqbal E. Kabir Distributed by Machranga Production Release date(s) 13 February 2009[1] Running time 138 min. Country Bangladesh Language Bengali Budget 20 Million (Taka) Monpura (Bengali: মনপুরা), is a Bengali language film set in Bangladesh.[2] Directed by Giasuddin Selim.[3] Monpura is a romance film based in a rural setting. As Selim's debut film, it received a huge media hype before its release. The shooting of the film started in June 2007. It was shot in different places, including Dhunat (Bogra), Kushtia and Dhaka.
Chanchal Chowdhury plays the role of Shonai. Farhana Mili plays her debut role as Pori, the daughter of a boatman. The young couple are supported by veteran actors Mamunur Rashid and Fazlur Rahman Babu.
Contents
Characters
- Shonai is a fisherman who lives on Monpura Island. He has a little house there, talks with animals, and falls in love with Pori. He is also a fast swimmer.
- Pori is the daughter of another fisherman. She falls in love with Sonai Mia but marries his foe.
Crew
- Producer: Anjan Chowdhury Pintu
- Director: Giasuddin Selim
- Writer: Giasuddin Selim
- Script: Giasuddin Selim
- Dialogue: Giasuddin Selim
- Music: Iqbal E. Kabir
- Cinematography: Kamrul Hasan Khasru
- Editing: Iqbal E. Kabir
- Music composition: Arnob
- Assistant music director: Adit
- Distributor: Machranga Production
Technical Details
- Format: 35 MM (Color)
- Running Time: 138 Minutes
- Original Language: Bengali
- Country of Origin: Bangladesh
- Date of Theatrical Release: 13 February 2009
- Year of the Product: 2008
- Technical Support: Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC)
Production
Development
Monpura made a huge media hype before its release. "A heart breaking story," as called by popular actor and director Afjal Hossain, its unusual songs and rural setting set the background of an artistic romance film. Monpura, unlike many other popular Bangla films, uses the rural settings of Bangladesh, something Selim says audiences have a strong attachment to.[4]
But the picturisation, the setting of the island named Monpura is what has made the movie unique. Moreover, it is not only a love story; there is a hidden satire in it.[5]—Jackie Kabir, Star Weekend MagazineShooting
The shooting started in June 2007. The shooting unit faced problems due to Bangladesh's rainy season and demands to shoot through such weather; several outdoor sequences were shot in the rain.[6]
The total film budget was 200 million taka, with post-production completed in India for over five million taka.[7]
Reception
Monpura initially released in four theaters in Dhaka and Rajshahi, but it quickly opened in theaters in Chittagong, Mymensingh, Bogra, Rangpur, and Sirajganj.[8]
Within three weeks of its release, Monpura broke the 45-year record of ticket sales in the Dhaka box office with over 50,000 tickets sold, beating out the very first Bengali language film made in Bangladesh, Mukh O Mukhosh.[9]
On May 22, 2009, Monpura completed its 100 days of glory in the box office. Star Cineplex and Bolaka (Bolaka-1 & Bolaka-2), the busiest theaters in the capital, ran this film for 100 days consecutively. After 100 days, the movie kept running in about 50 theaters across the country.
The film ran at Star Cineplex for nine months, Bolaka for six months, and Monihar for eight weeks. Theaters in Pabna, Khulna, and other districts in Bangladesh ran the film for six to seven weeks. Outside Bangladesh, the film was first released in Sydney on August 8, 2009,[10] and then in other cities, including New York City, Toronto, Montreal, and Brussels.[11]
Kolkata filmmaker Anjan Das made the Indian Bengali film, Achin Pakhi, based on Monpura.[12]
Awards
National Film Awards
Monpura won in five categories at the National Film Awards, including Best Film.[13]
- Winner Best Film: Anjan Chowduhry Pintu
- Winner Best Actor: Chanchal Chowdhury (Shared with Ferdous for Gongajatra)
- Winner Best Villain Character: Mamunur Rashid
- Winner Best Screenplay: Giasuddin Selim
- Winner Best Singer: Chondona Mazumder and Kazi Krishnokoli Islam
Meril-Prothom Alo Awards
- Winner Best Film Actor: Mamunur Rashid[14]
Music
Monpura Soundtrack album by Arnob Released January 13, 2009Recorded Laser Studios Genre Film soundtrack Label Laser Vision Producer Arnob and Osman Khan Bengali films rarely come under the spotlight by their music. It was thought that the music from the Monpura was collected from Bangladeshi folk music, but almost all are original songs. The album has been noted for its depth, creative thought, and trend-breaking effort.[15]
"Shonai Hai Haire," written by director Giasuddin Selim, tells the story of a daughter's death, whose funeral is attended by her father and father-in-law. "Aage Jodi Jantam," lyrics and music by Krishnokoli Islam, also tells the story of a broken heart - leaving the house of a girl and her life of regret. "Shonar Moyna Pakhi," lyrics and music by Osman Khan and sung by Arnob, expresses the desire to see a loved one at any cost, even if it comes before one's death.
The song will bring new dimension on making Bengali movie in recent time. Its making will also create huge impact among the movie lovers. It will touch the heart of them.[16]—Giasuddin SelimTracks
No. Title Artist(s) Length 1. "Nithuaa Pathare I" Fazlur Rahman Babu 3:51 2. "Jao Phakhi Bolo Tare I" Chondona Mazumder 3:12 3. "Shonar Moyna Pakhi" Arnob 4:33 4. "Nithuaa Pathare II" Chanchal Chowdhury and Krishnokoli Islam 3:02 5. "Shonai Hai Haire" Fazlur Rahman Babu 2:54 6. "Jao Pakhi Bolo Tare II" Krishnokoli Islam 3:28 7. "Nithuaa Pathare III" Fazlur Rahman Babu 3:08 8. "Aage Jodi Jantam" Momtaj 3:17 9. "Monpura Instrumental" Instrumental 4:43 Marketing
The rhythmic music helped the film gain a lot of publicity before its release. It was heavily advertised in cable and satellite television networks.
Home media
The DVD and VCD of the film were released in December 2009 by Laser Vision.
References
- ^ The Daily Star, 4 February 2009 'Monpura' to be released Feb 13 Cultural Correspondent, accessed: 12 May 2011
- ^ The Daily Star, 22 February 2009 Movie "Monpura" Nazmus Saquib, Dept of English, Stamford University, Dhaka, accessed: 12 May 2011
- ^ The Daily Star, 20 July 2010 “Kajol Rekha”: Giasuddin Selim delves into folklore with his new film Buzz, accessed: 12 May 2011
- ^ Blogs.com.bd, 24 September 2011 Giasuddin Selim How to bring about a revolution in Bangladeshi filmdom Accessed: 31 October 2011
- ^ The Daily Star, 27 March 2009 Film Review a Heartwarming Film, written by Jackie Kabir Accessed: 12 May 2011
- ^ The Daily Star, 8 February 2008 "Monpura": An uncomplicated love story in an idyllic setting, written by Jamil Mahmud Accessed: 31 October 2011
- ^ The News International, 25 May 2010 A film that does not focus on glamour but on acting Accessed: 31 October 2011
- ^ Monpura Movie of Bangladesh, 20 February 2009 One Week Away From a 'Blockbuster' Accessed: 31 October 2011
- ^ BanglaMovies.com, 12 March 2009 Monpura Bangla Movie breaks 45 year old records Accessed: 31 October 2011
- ^ Monpura Movie of Bangladesh, 1 August 2009 Piracy, Worldwide Release & 6 Months in Box Office Accessed: 31 October 2011
- ^ The Daily Star, 20 July 2010 "Kajol Rekha": Giasuddin Selim delves into folklore with his new film Accessed: 31 October 2011
- ^ The News International, 25 May 2010 A film that does not focus on glamour but on acting Accessed: 31 October 2011
- ^ www.BangladeshGiftShop.com, 20 August 2011 National film award of Bangladesh winners of 2009 Accessed: 31 October 2011
- ^ BDTalks, 2009 Winners of Meril-Prothom Alo Award 2009, Bangladesh Accessed: 31 October 2011
- ^ The Daily Star, 15 August 2008 Music Review “Monpura”: Rustic soul wrapped in urban sensitivity Arts & Entertainment, accessed: 12 May 2011
- ^ Monpura Movie of Bangladesh, 7 October 2008 Gias Uddin Selim- director of Monpura Accessed: 31 October 2011
External links
- Monpura at the Internet Movie Database
- Monpura at the Rotten Tomatoes
Categories:- 2009 films
- Bangladeshi films
- Bengali-language films
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