Behind the Scene
Guerrilla
Directed by Nasiruddin Yousuff, “Guerrilla”, the much awaited feature film based on the Liberation War, was released at 13 movie theatres across the country on Pahela Baishakh (April 14).
Actor Ferdous, who plays the role of a journalist, Hasan Ahmed, says, “We’d not be living in an independent country if there had not been the Liberation War. So when Bachchu Bhai (Nasiruddin Yousuff) offered me a role in his film, I gladly accepted. I hope that young people would go to the theatres to watch the film.”
On a similar note, seasoned actor ATM Shamsuzzaman said: “In my decades-spanning acting career, I’ve never asked anyone for a role in his/her film, except this one. I asked Nasiruddin Yousuff to cast me in the film.” When asked why he made that exception, the veteran artiste said, “The fact that the film is about the Liberation War was reason enough to ignite my interest.” He added that he thoroughly enjoyed “playing the role of Matlub Sardar who helps the protagonist Bilkis (played by Joya Ahsan).”
Ahmed Rubel plays the role of Shaheed Altaf Mahmud, the composer of the song “Amar Bhai-er Roktey Rangano Ekushey February”. Rubel said that playing the role of Altaf Mahmud was a real challenge. “It’s extremely difficult to play a character based on a real person, more so when the person is a legend.”
Pijush Bandyopadhaya, a freedom fighter who had closely observed the war, shares Ferdous’ optimism. “This film depicts what really happened during the war. This provides the youngsters of our country an opportunity to familiarise themselves with our history,” he says. Bandyopadhaya plays a Professor of Dhaka University in the film.
Shatabdi Wadud, who plays the role of a Pakistani Major, says that he had to lose weight to get into the character. He adds, “Colonel Sajjad trained me for the role for a whole month.”
Joya Ahsan’s role in the film has been much discussed. According to her, the role of Bilkis has been very demanding and physical, and that she loved the challenge. “Some days I couldn’t change my clothes to maintain continuity in the film. But a real actor loves a challenging job,” she says.
The director, Nasiruddin Yousuff, said, “We had to shoot at Panam Nagar, which was made to resemble old Dhaka in the film. It wasn’t an easy task but needed to be done.”
Yousuff based the film on Syed Shamsul Haq’s novel “Nishiddho Loban” and his personal war-time experiences as a freedom fighter.
Courtesy of The Daily Star
