Dhaka, June 1 — The upcoming Eid-ul-Azha film “Utshob,” featuring an ensemble cast, promises a fresh mix of humor, family dynamics, and interpersonal relationships. This was evident from the teaser released on Saturday.
Featuring an amusing disclaimer like “Caution: viewing this movie alone is forbidden,” the cinematic adaptation of English author Charles Dickens’ renowned short story ‘A Christmas Carol’ debuts a remarkable ensemble cast. The casting was announced on May 13 during a gathering held at the Shooting Club located in the Gulshan district of the city.
A standout feature of the trailer is its witty employment of self-mocking humor, where performers gently jest about their public images. This technique brings an unparalleled appeal not commonly found in Bangladesh’s film industry.
The teaser opens with Chanchal Chowdhury joking, “These days, you turn on the TV and it’s all Chanchal Chowdhury. This guy is everywhere.” In another tongue-in-cheek moment, Jaya Ahsan’s character asks, “Does she even have a voice? Can she deliver dialogues?”, while mimicking her own infamous dialogue “Maro-o-o-o-w” from one of her previous films.
In the meantime, as Aupee Karim makes a comeback to cinema after an extended hiatus, he can be overheard remarking, “Has time made everyone forget what I look like simply because I’ve been away for a few years?” during a scene set inside a public bus. The trailer also features veteran actor Zahid Hasan interacting with fellow cast members across various scenes.
These lines, delivered with impeccable timing, are part of a cast that includes Zahid Hasan, Jaya Ahsan, Aupee Karim, Chanchal Chowdhury, Afsana Mimi, Tariq Anam Khan, Azad Abul Kalam, Intekhab Dinar, Sunerah Binte Kamal, Soumya Jyoti and Sadia Ayman. The presence of so many National Film Award-winning actors in a single production is rare in Bangladeshi cinema.
Reaching a delightful tribute to Zahid Hasan’s famous quote from the beloved BTV show ‘Aj Robibar,’ Chanchal’s character comments humorously, “It’s odd; why did he become so furious?” This line has been closely linked with Hasan’s enduring comic reputation.
Director Tanim Noor mentioned that the movie was crafted to encapsulate the shared happiness during Eid. He stated, “The essence of Eid lies beyond individual festivity; it’s about spreading joy amongst everyone—and this film conveys exactly that sentiment.” Additionally, he noted that ‘Utshob’ includes various scenes and dialogues intended to evoke nostalgia, bridging viewers with recollections of more straightforward eras.
Although the ensemble was initially revealed, the recently launched trailer provides viewers their initial glimpse of the characters and settings. More material, such as music from the movie, is set to drop shortly.
Sponsored by BRAC Bank, Utshob is produced by Dope Productions, with co-production from Chorki, and additional support provided by the associate production company Laughing Elephant.
The movie is set for an international release as well, with worldwide distribution managed by Swapno Scarecrow and Path Productions.
The narrative of Utshob has been penned by Tanim Noor, Ayman Asib Shadhin, Sushmoy Sarkar, and Samiul Bhuiyan. The script and conversations were crafted by Ayman Asib Shadhin and Samiul Bhuiyan, while the camera work was handled by renowned cinematographer Rashed Zaman.
