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Monpura
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Wikipedia article
'Monpura' , is a 2009 Bangladeshi Bengali film, directed by Giasuddin Selim. The film was remade into Indian Bengali in 2010 as 'Achin Pakhi', which was directed by Anjan Das. '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 took place in various locations, including Dhunat in Bogra, Kushtia and Dhaka.
Chanchal Chowdhury plays the role of Shonai. Farhana Mili made her debut in the role of Pori, the daughter of a fisherman. The young couple are supported by veteran actors Mamunur Rashid and Fazlur Rahman Babu.
It is voted as one of the greatest Bangladeshi films ever made, which saw critical acclaim overseasIts soundtrack album became one of the most popular in the country. 'Monpura' was the highest-grossing Bangladeshi film of 2009 and one of the most successful Bangladeshi films in history. The film received critical acclaim, especially for it's direction and has developed a cult following.
Plot
Shonai is a man-servant in the house of Gazi, a rich man. The son of Gazi, Halim, is mentally unstable, and he murders a woman who worked in that house. But Gazi insists Shonai take the responsibility of the murder and leaves him alone in an island named "Monpura", where he falls in love with Pori, the daughter of a fisherman. Gazi, seeing Pori one day, intends to marry his son, Halim, with her, although he pledged to Shonai that he would propose Pori's father for his marriage. At first, her father did not accept the proposal, for he did not want to let her daughter marry a maniac. But when Gazi wanted to give his property to Pori, he accepted the proposal. When Shonai discovers Gazi's plot, he went to Pori and the two decided to flee on the next night. But as the time came for Shonai to leave, the police arrested him for the murder case. Pori was married to Halim. Pori was waiting for Shonai, and he wanted to be free to meet her. So wife of Gazi said that Shonai will be executed on Friday at 12:01 am so that she might forget Shonai. Shonai was proven innocent and was released on Saturday, although Pori, who thought that he will be executed on Friday, killed herself at midnight that day. After Shonai arrives the next morning, he finds out and feels devastated by Pori's death.
Cast
* 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
Production
Development
'Monpura' made a huge media hype before its release. "A heart breaking story," as called by popular actor and director Afzal 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.'Blogs.com.bd, 24 September 2011' [https://web.archive.org/web/20120425124758/http://www.blogs.com.bd/2011/09/giasuddin-selim-how-to-bring-about-a-revolution-in-bangladeshi-filmdom/ Giasuddin Selim How to bring about a revolution in Bangladeshi filmdom] 'Accessed: 31 October 2011'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.'The Daily Star, 8 February 2008' [http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=22401 "Monpura": An uncomplicated love story in an idyllic setting, written by Jamil Mahmud] 'Accessed: 31 October 2011'Reception
'Monpura' initially released in four theaters in Dhaka and Rajshahi, but it quickly opened in theaters in Chittagong, Mymensingh, Bogra, Rangpur, and Sirajganj.'Monpura Movie of Bangladesh, 20 February 2009' [http://monpura.blogspot.com/2009/02/one-week-away-from-blockbuster.html One Week Away From a 'Blockbuster'] 'Accessed: 31 October 2011'
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).'BanglaMovies.com, 12 March 2009' [http://banglamovies.com/news/monpura-breaking-bangla-cinemarecords-92.html Monpura Bangla Movie breaks 45 year old records] 'Accessed: 31 October 2011'
On 22 May 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 8 August 2009,'Monpura Movie of Bangladesh, 1 August 2009' [http://monpura.blogspot.com/2009/08/piracy-worldwide-release-6-months-in.html Piracy, Worldwide Release & 6 Months in Box Office] 'Accessed: 31 October 2011' and then in other cities, including New York City, Toronto, Montreal, and Brussels.'The Daily Star, 20 July 2010' [http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=147428 "Kajol Rekha": Giasuddin Selim delves into folklore with his new film] 'Accessed: 31 October 2011'
Remake
West Bengal filmmaker Anjan Das made the Indian Bengali film, 'Achin Pakhi (2010)', based on Monpura.'The News International, 25 May 2010' [http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=241074&Cat=6&dt=5/24/2010 A film that does not focus on glamour but on acting] 'Accessed: 31 October 2011'Awards
National Film Awards
'Monpura' won in five categories at the National Film Awards, including Best Film.'www.BangladeshGiftShop.com, 20 August 2011' [http://www.bangladeshgiftshop.com/bangladesh/2011/08/20/national-film-award-of-bangladesh-winners-of-2009/ National film award of Bangladesh winners of 2009] 'Accessed: 31 October 2011'* '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'BDTalks, 2009' [http://bdtalks.com/winners-of-meril-prothom-alo-award-2009-bangladesh/ Winners of Meril-Prothom Alo Award 2009, Bangladesh] 'Accessed: 31 October 2011'
Music
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.
"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 album was released in August 2008 by Laser Vision.
Track
: (Assistant Music Director: Odit.)
: : : (Flute: Jalal. Dhol: Nazrul. Sontur: Swopon)
: , (Dotara: Shorif, Gourob)
Recorded: at Bengal Studio.
AudioCD Cover Photography: Tanvir
Music arranged & composed for songs by Arnob
Script, Dialogue and Direction : Gias Uddin Selim
Cinematography: Kamrul Hasan Khosru
Edit & Music Direction : Iqbal A. Kabir Joel
References
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