Tauquir assembling stellar cast for next film

Fresh off an international premiere and success of his latest directorial venture “Oggyatonama”, Tauqur Ahmed is now gearing up for a big project, and assembling a powerhouse cast for it, too.

Tauquir and Zahid Hasan's collaborative work extends back to their theatre days when the Zahid acted in a play called “Bichchu,” directed by Tauquir. Now, for the upcoming big-screen project titled “Halda”, Zahid has been roped in for a central villainous character. Based on a story set against the backdrop of Chittagong's river Halda, it also casts Mosharraf Karim as a fisherman and Tisha as a girl with big dreams. Seasoned campaigners Dilara Zaman, Fazlur Rahman Babu and Runa Khan will also feature in the ensemble.

“We have finalised cast members for the new film, and are making many other preparations. This is a sensitive story about the river and the women of the riverine areas of Halda, and we expect to begin filming in August,” Tauquir told The Daily Star.

Zahid Hasan is optimistic about the film. “I could not say no when Tauquir bhai offered me the role,” he said. “It's a formidable cast, and we hope to deliver a great film.”

Tisha, talking to The Daily Star, also said she was “excited” about the project. “Tauquir bhai is a wonderful director. Zahid Hasan and Mosharraf Karim are both my favourite actors, and I have worked with them on many occasions. The story is also brilliant,” the actress commented.