A cameo of Sufia Kamal

Begum Sufia Kamal, champion of the women's cause

The programme started with the rendering of a Tagore song, Tumi Robe Nirobe sung by Laisa Aktar Lisa. After the song, Ranjon Karmakar, the co- producer of the film, and a representative of the Steps towards Development, said, 'We are very pleased to be a part of such a film. We are also making a film on Ila Mitra. We would like to continue with our venture.'

Filmmaker Murad said, 'After many obstacles we have finally released the film. However, I am disappointed that I could not release the movie when Sufia Kamal was alive.'

Aparajita starts with the scene when the coffin of Sufia Kamal is taken to the Shahid Minar Premises to give her a national honour. During the scene a poem by Shamsur Rahman dedicated to Sufia, was recited by Bhashwar Bandopadhyay as a background track.

The film continues with her autobiography in an interview form. Murad has tried to visualise her life sketch by showing live footage and some childhood photographs of Sufia Kamal.

From the biography of the poet we learnt how Sufia empowered herself at a time when women from conservative, affluent Muslim families were confined to four walls. Her major achievement was to learn Bangla from her mother despite a repressive society.

Later in the film, Sufia Kamal narrates her journey as a poet. She talks about the difficult path she had to take and the patronage of the magazine Sawgat especially the editor of the magazine Nasiruddin.

The movie portraits her doing household chores. Time after time in the flashback scenes it portrays the inspiration that she received from Rabindranath Tagore, Nazrul and other renowned personalities. It also shows the struggle that she undertook for the country and the women.

In the film, Aparajita the director has also used some footage in which we see her activities with Mahila Parishad and the honour that she received as a women activist. At the end of the biographical sketch there is a portrayal of Sufia Kamal being laid down for her eternal rest.

Director Murad, in his comment on the film said, 'Sufia Kamal is a symbol of undefeated spirit to me. That is why the title of the film is Aparajita, meaning undefeated.

I started to work on the film in 1988. Because of financial strain I could complete the movie only in 2003. And then, I faced obstacles from the censor board for some anti-fundamentalist remarks of the poet. That is why it took so many years.'

'I have received enough support from Sufia Kamal and her family in the making of the film. Moreover, my crew and Steps Towards Development helped me a lot.'

'However, I think there are some aspects in the film which could be improved. First of all, because of the lack of technical support the sound track of the movie is not up to the mark. Then, because of shortage of fund I could not take more footages of Sufia Kamal, which could make the film livelier.' Murad added.

The film is dedicated to comrade Moni Singh.