Monpura

Monpura
Film poster
Directed by Giasuddin Selim
Produced by Anjan Chowdhury Pintu
Written by Giasuddin Selim
Starring
Music by Iqbal E. Kabir
Cinematography Kamrul Hasan Khasru
Edited by Iqbal E. Kabir
Distributed by Maasranga Production
Release date
  • 13 February 2009 (2009-02-13)
[1]
Running time
 138 minutes
Country Bangladesh
Language Bengali

Monpura (Bengali: মনপুরা, released 2009), is a Bangladeshi Bengali film, directed by Giasuddin Selim[2] Monpura is a romantic tragedy film set in rural Bangladesh. As Selim's large-screen debut, and contemporary-folk soundtrack released ahead of screening which were an instant hit, it received a huge media hype even before its release. The shooting started in June 2007 and took place in a number of 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 fisherman. The young couple are supported by veteran actors Mamunur Rashid and Fazlur Rahman Babu.

Casts

  • Chanchal Chowdhury as Shonai, 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.
  • Farhana Mili as Pori, daughter of another fisherman. She falls in love with Shonai Mia but is forced to marry Shonai's foe.
  • Fazlur Rahman Babu as Pori's Father, another fisherman
  • Mamunur Rashid as Gazi

Crew

Giasuddin Selim, the director of the film
  • Producer: Anjan Chowdhury Pintu
  • Director: Giasuddin Selim
  • Writer: Giasuddin Selim
  • Script: Giasuddin Selim
  • Dialogue: Giasuddin Selim
  • Music: Iqbal E. Kabirhh
  • Cinematography: Kamrul Hasan Khasru
  • Editing: Iqbal E. Kabir
  • Music composition: Arnob
  • Sound: Ripon Nath
  • Assistant music director: Adit
  • Distributor: Machranga Production
  • Art Director: Mohammad Shahabuddin

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.[3]

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.[4]

— Jackie Kabir, Star Weekend Magazine

Shooting

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.[5]

Reception

Monpura initially released in four theaters in Dhaka and Rajshahi, but it quickly opened in theaters in Chittagong, Mymensingh, Bogra, Rangpur, and Sirajganj.[6]

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, surpassing the first Bangla language film made in Bangladesh, Mukh O Mukhosh (1956).[7]

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,[8] and then in other cities, including New York City, Toronto, Montreal, and Brussels.[9]

Remake

West Bengal filmmaker Anjan Das made the Indian Bengali film, Achin Pakhi (2010), based on Monpura.[10]

Awards

National Film Awards

Monpura won in five categories at the National Film Awards, including Best Film.[11]

Meril-Prothom Alo Awards

  • Winner Best Film Actor: Mamunur Rashid[12]

Music

Monpura
Soundtrack album by Arnob
Released January 13, 2009
Recorded Laser Studios
Genre Film soundtrack
Label Laser Vision
Producer Arnob and Osman Khan

Bangla films rarely come under the spotlight by their music. It was thought that the music from 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.[13]

"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.

Tracks

No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."Nithuaa Pathare I"Fazlur Rahman Babu3:51
2."Jao Phakhi Bolo Tare I"Chondona Mazumder3:12
3."Shonar Moyna Pakhi"Shayan Chowdhury Arnob4:33
4."Nithuaa Pathare II"Chanchal Chowdhury and Krishnokoli Islam3:02
5."Shonai Hai Haire"Fazlur Rahman Babu2:54
6."Jao Pakhi Bolo Tare II"Krishnokoli Islam3:28
7."Nithuaa Pathare III"Fazlur Rahman Babu3:08
8."Aage Jodi Jantam"Momtaj3:17
9."Monpura Instrumental"Instrumental4:43

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 the major label Laser Vision.

References

  1. ↑ The Daily Star, 4 February 2009 'Monpura' to be released Feb 13 Cultural Correspondent, accessed: 12 May 2011
  2. ↑ The Daily Star, 20 July 2010 “Kajol Rekha”: Giasuddin Selim delves into folklore with his new film Buzz, accessed: 12 May 2011
  3. ↑ Blogs.com.bd, 24 September 2011 Giasuddin Selim How to bring about a revolution in Bangladeshi filmdom Accessed: 31 October 2011
  4. ↑ The Daily Star, 27 March 2009 Film Review a Heartwarming Film, written by Jackie Kabir Accessed: 12 May 2011
  5. ↑ The Daily Star, 8 February 2008 "Monpura": An uncomplicated love story in an idyllic setting, written by Jamil Mahmud Accessed: 31 October 2011
  6. ↑ Monpura Movie of Bangladesh, 20 February 2009 One Week Away From a 'Blockbuster' Accessed: 31 October 2011
  7. ↑ BanglaMovies.com, 12 March 2009 Monpura Bangla Movie breaks 45 year old records Accessed: 31 October 2011
  8. ↑ Monpura Movie of Bangladesh, 1 August 2009 Piracy, Worldwide Release & 6 Months in Box Office Accessed: 31 October 2011
  9. ↑ The Daily Star, 20 July 2010 "Kajol Rekha": Giasuddin Selim delves into folklore with his new film Accessed: 31 October 2011
  10. ↑ The News International, 25 May 2010 A film that does not focus on glamour but on acting Accessed: 31 October 2011
  11. ↑ www.BangladeshGiftShop.com, 20 August 2011 National film award of Bangladesh winners of 2009 Accessed: 31 October 2011
  12. ↑ BDTalks, 2009 Winners of Meril-Prothom Alo Award 2009, Bangladesh Archived 2012-07-07 at Archive.is Accessed: 31 October 2011
  13. ↑ ""Monpura": Rustic soul wrapped in urban sensitivity". The Daily Star. 15 August 2008. Retrieved 16 September 2018.
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