How a village transformed into TV stars' hotspot

“Lights! Camera! Action!” How the three words have changed a village in Gazipur's Pubail, widely known as the shooting village, (shooting palli). Shooting for TV plays continues at almost every household in the village round the year.

When you will talk about shooting for any TV play based on rural life, TV directors' first choice is Pubail because the village is beautiful and secondly, and it is close to Dhaka. The artistes can easily return to the capital within a day after wrapping up shooting. There are all kinds of accommodation arrangements for the artistes too.  

The village is situated 25 kilometers away from Dhaka, about nine kilometers from Tongi Station. Besides shooting for TV plays, films and music videos are also shot here. 

Under the direction of noted filmmaker Amjad Hossain, the drama serial “Agun Laga Sandha” was the first TV play shot at Pubail, back in 1996.

“At that time, Pubail looked very different from what it does now. It was like any other village. As the area is not so far away from Dhaka, we could easily find it for shooting,” Amjad Hossain told The Daily Star.

There are 15 shooting houses at present. Besides, some old clay-made houses are rented for shooting unit.

The shooting houses include Shaheener Bari, Jannat, Hasnahena, Haruner Bari, Lavlur Bari, Meghla, Panirer Bari, Daktar Bari, Bhuyia Bari, Badhoner Bari, Chayanir and Sharafater Bari. Film star Shakib Khan is the owner of one of the shooting houses.

Hasnahena Shooting House is favourite of many artistes like Zahid Hasan. “I feel comfortable to shoot here as director and actor,” said Zahid Hasan. Hasnahena is about 100 meters away from the Pubail College Gate, and has accommodation facilities for 40 people. It has four VIP rooms and one generator, said Musa, staff of Hasnahena.

Another noted shooting house is Shaheener Bari. Arannya Anwar's “Amader Nurul Huda” was shot here. Humayun Faridi, Afzal Hossain, Moushumi and Zahid Hasan worked in the serial.

Acclaimed TV director Salahuddin Lavlu's noted creations – “Alta Sunduri”, “Sakin Saisuri” and “Gharkutum” were shot at Shaheener Bari. Mostly long-running drama serials are shot at the house. At present, Syed Shakil's new drama serial is being shot here.

Haruner Bari has also attracted actors and director. During the shoot of “Monpura”, the entire unit stayed here. Imdadul Hoque Milon's “Meyeti Ekhon Kothai Jabe” was shot here. Besides, shooting for another noted drama serial “Lodging Master” that aired on Banglavision was shot at the house.

Meghla, one of the newer shooting houses, has a big open field. Recently, a six-episode Eid play was shot here. Shamim Zaman directed the play.

Another new house is Salahuddin Lavlu'r Bari. Although the noted director has leased the shooting house now, everyone now knows it as his house.

“Pubail is very eye-soothing village, filled with scenic beauty. Most of my plays are shot here,” said Salahuddin Lavlu.

“Pubail is first priority for shooting purpose as it is close to Dhaka,” said TV personality Mamunur Rashid.