From left) Syed Shamsul Haq, Sohana Saba, Ferdaus, Abu Sayeed, Jamil Osman and ANM Badrul Amin at the mahurat of Rupantor

Mahurat of filmmaker Abu Sayeed's upcoming movie was held Rupantor at the Digital Colour Lab Auditorium, Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) on March 30.
Rupantor is one of the three films that received grant from the Ministry of Information this year (2007-08).
Jamil Osman, acting secretary, Ministry of Information was present as the chief guest at the event. ANM Badrul Amin, managing director, BFDC presided over the programme. Noted litterateur and playwright Syed Shamsul Haq was present as a special guest.
Through contemporary characters, Rupantor delves into a story from the epic Mahabharata. In the film, Arif, a young filmmaker is set to make a movie on the story of Ekalavya and his guru dakshina (offering to the mentor) to Dronacharya. Shaila is Arif's assistant. According to Mahabharata, for his guru dakshina, Dronacharya asked for Ekalavya's right thumb, which ended the possibility of the latter becoming a formidable archer.
While shooting the film, Arif confronts the story. He believes that the thumb is not necessary to be able to shoot an arrow. It is the index and middle fingers that are used in archery. Then, why did Dronacharya ask Eklavyato sacrifice his thumb? Arif and Shaila delve deep into the story and reach a new reality.
“As no film made in the last couple of years received government grant, I was delighted to learn that Abu Sayeed, Tanvir Mokammel and Enamul Karim Nirjhar have received financial assistance from the Ministry of Information. I sincerely hope that Rupantor will feature Sayeed's skills as a storyteller on celluloid that we have come to admire,” said Syed Shamsul Haq.
Prior to Haq's speech, Abu Sayeed thanked the government for the grant. He also drew attention to the inconvenience one faces when seeking permission to shoot a film at any place of the country and asked for a proper policy regarding the process.
At the event, the filmmaker also introduced the cast and crew of the film. Actors Ferdaus and Sohana Saba will play the lead roles -- Arif and Shaila. Jayonto Chatyopadhyay will play Dronacharya, Arefin Shubho will don the role of Arjun and Sajib Kaiser will be seen in the film as Ekalavya. The film also features Santali characters. Veteran filmmaker-actor Soovas Dutt has given his consent to play a special role in Rupantor.
Shooting for the film will start from April 7.