Prominent film director Giasuddin Selim won his first National Film Award for "Adhiar", while "Monpura" brought him his second National Film Award. Moreover, his upcoming film, "Paap Punno" will be released soon. Before becoming a film director, Giasuddin Selim gained popularity as a brilliant screenwriter. His first tele-fiction, "Biprotip" was widely appreciated. `

In a candid chat with The Daily Star, Giasuddin Selim talked about his upcoming film and other projects.

"Monpura (2009)" and "Swapnajaal (2018)" were movies of the romantic genre. What is the story of your new film?

My latest film "Gunin" is based on the story of famous writer Hasan Azizul Haque. It will depict the story of rural Bangladesh. As a director, my purpose is to entertain audiences through this film. I hope that people from all walks of life will appreciate "Gunin", as it realistically portrays the life of Bangladeshi people.

People always have high expectations from you as a director. What are your thoughts on this?

I think the reason for their high expectations is "Monpura", as it was a very successful film. Cinema halls were packed after "Monpura" was released. People loved the film and have also appreciated my work on television.

Giasuddin Selim’s “Monpura” was widely appreciated. Photo: Collected

When will the shooting of your new film be finished?

I am presently shooting in Brahmanbaria and then we will go to Manikganj for our next schedule. I hope to finish the shoot within this month.

Would you like to share something about the politics prevalent in the film industry?

People who are genuinely talented in our film industry do not get involved in such 'film politics'. Likewise, I am not bothered about such issues. Those who truly understand the beauty of cinema, only care about the art of filmmaking. So, I truly hope that everyone tries to understand the essence of filmmaking and work for the betterment of our industry.

Many are hoping for Monpura 2. What do you think about it?

I have no plans of making 'Monpura' sequel. The film was immensely loved the way it was. People still talk about that film. Very few films of our industry have been lauded to such an extent.  The audience has equally loved my film "Swapnajaal". This has been a big achievement for me. But I can surely say that there will be no "Monpura 2".

Tell us something about your much-awaited film "Paap Punno".

"Paap Punno" is about to be released soon. Unfortunately, we have delayed the release date due to the pandemic. I do not want to talk much about this movie, as I want to keep it as a surprise. But I can certainly say that the audience will love the film and everyone will see Chanchal Chowdhury in a new avatar. Moreover, Siam Ahmed, Afsana Mimi, Mamunur Rashid, and Chumki have performed very well. 

What is the most important aspect of a film for you?

The story is definitely the main aspect of any film. People in our country love good stories, so a well-written script has the power to attract a large audience. Acting is equally important, but it comes after the script. There are other aspects as well, but an intriguing script is crucial for a film.