Syed Rezaur Rahman's short film on the Liberation War

A still from the film Jantronar Jathorey Shurjodoy

Right from the outset, Rezaur Rahman's film is much too run of the mill and clichéd. It starts with incidents of the nuptial night of doctor Mamun and Mukta. Coincidentally, it is March 25, 1971. A phone rings suddenly and, as if inevitably, it is a call for an immediate operation duty. At midnight, the Pakistan armed forces carry out the most brutal bloody slaughter in history. Dr. Mamun is shot dead and Mukta is taken to the Pakistan camp.

During an operation, a freedom fighter, Jalil, who is from Mukta's village, finds her unconscious body in an army bunker. Jalil takes her to hospital where Dr. Asad takes special care of her. Mukta goes through a phase of speechlessness caused by the harrowing experiences at the army camp.

Mukta, now pregnant, wants the child to be aborted, but the doctor contradicts as her pregnancy has reached quite an advanced stage. Mukta even tries to commit suicide, but cannot take this decisive step as her attempt is foiled by Dr Asad. Asad, a senior colleague of Mamun, tries to motivate her by saying that she has no right to kill the unborn baby. Mukta asks what she would tell her child about its father's identity. Then, Asad offers to take the place of his father. He dreams of a new life with Mukta and her child.

The story line is nothing extraordinary. In most sequences the dialogues are artificial and weak. So is the acting, including that of Dr Asad, performed by director Rezaur Rahman himself. Only in the sequence where Mukta narrates the scene of March 25 night to Dr Asad, does the acting seem quite natural and touching. Equally unimpressive is Dr Mamun's acting.

Another aspect of the film seems very awkward--the costumes especially that of Dr Mamun. His dress in no way reflects the fashion of the '70s. Mukta's make-up and dress, however, match the time well.

The editing is clumsy and makes the footages of the Liberation War appear unnecessary.

Dr. M Asaduzzaman, Chairman of the University Grant Commissions, Khalilur Rahman, Pro-Vice Chancellor of National University, Nawajesh Ali Khan and Sarker Firoz of ATN Bangla, BTV producer M Hamid and actress Falguni Hamid attended the première of Jantronar Jathorey Shurjodoy.