“Shankhachil”, one of the most anticipated Bangla films of the year, hit screens in Bangladesh and Kolkata simultaneously on the first day of Bangla New Year on April 14. Before its release, a special premiere was held in Dhaka on April 12 evening at Star Cineplex in the city's Bashundhara City Shopping Mall.

A host of distinguished guests including Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, Channel i managing director Faridur Reza Sagor, Indian actor Prosenjit Chatterjee , film director Goutam Ghose, actors Kushum Sikdar, Mamunur Rashid and others attended the premiere show. In addition, there were a large number of celebrities and noted personalities present at the premiere.

Directed by Goutam Ghose, the film is a joint production of India and Bangladesh. Ashirbad Cholochchitro, Impress Telefilm, Prosenjit Chatterjee and Mou Roy Chowdhury are producers of the film.

The film encircles the story of a Muslim family living in the Bangladesh-India border region in Satkhira district. “Shankhachil” boldly depicts the scenario of border areas, and makes satires of the man-made boundary that separates people of the two countries. Beginning with a glimpse into the lives of people living on the frontiers, the film takes audience to the main part which revolves around schoolteacher Muntasir Chowdhury Badol, his wife Laila Chowdhury, and their daughter Roopsha.

Before ending on a sad note, the film gives a message that it is humanity that surpasses everything. “Shankhachil” zooms in on the Partition of India in 1947 which separated Bangladesh and Indian state West Bengal. It is also a story that employs two times—the present time and the time of Partition.

Tollywood superstar Prosenjit once again revealed his reputed acting prowess as Badol, which the actor had said is one of the best roles he ever played in his career.

Kushum Sikdar also did a good job as Prosenjit's wife and mother of Roopsha. However, it is debutante child actor Shahjhbati (Roopshah), who steals attention with her outstanding screen presence. Her spontaneity and natural acting made the story realistic to its best.

The film has drawn a cast comprising apt actors from Bangladeshi and India including Mamunur Rashid, Deepankar De, Ushoshi Chakraborty, Arindam Shil, Prabir Mitra, Rosy Siddiky, Riaz Mahmud Jewel, Shakil Ahmed, Shahed Ali, Anum Rahman Khan, and Priyangshu Chattopadhyay.