Tareque and Catherine's latest venture Ontarjatra

Sara Zaker and Rifaquat Rasheed in the film

Ontorjatra, says director Tareque, is the "exploration of the complex issues of dislocation and identity." Zeroing in on the plot, he says the focus in on a divorced mother (Shireen, ably played by Sara Zaker) and her son (Sohail, played by Rifaquat Rasheed) who come back to Bangladesh after 15 years overseas. The return is prompted by the boy's father's sudden death and funeral.

As Tareque points out, " The story follows the conflicting reactions of mother and son as they, in very different ways, try to come to terms with this loss." The son, a British-bred teenager with no memory of his father or his homeland, undertakes a journey of self-discovery when he comes to Bangladesh. For his mother, the return evokes both nostalgia for her youth and anxiety in anticipation of a difficult reunion with her ex-in-laws. The return of the mother and son duo brings different branches of the family face to face, across generations and cultures, maintains Tareque.

Other cast members are Momen Chowdhury, Rokeya Prachy, Jayanto Chattopadhaya, Nasrine Karim, Harold Rasheed and Raisa Anwar. In the guest cast are Anushey and Buno.

The action of the film is mostly divided between Sylhet and Dhaka, while the opening shot is in a recreated London home. The film, believes theatre and TV personality Sara Zaker, is unique because it is "devoid of glamour and frills". Cast in the central role of the mother Shireen, she says, "The film evokes the sound and noise of Dhaka. It shows present Bangladesh--complete with the mushrooming multi-storeyed buildings and clatter, but at the same time there is no negative imaging of Dhaka. For instance, Shireen takes a rickshaw ride through the Dhaka streets and the film depicts Dhaka as it is in reality. At the end of it you feel good about the country."

What is Ontorjatra's USP? Tareque believes that the film stands apart from others since it is the first digital film in Bangladesh.

The film is now in its final stage of post-production as the digital to 35mm transfer is being done in New York. Reputed film producing concern, Maasranga Productions, is covering the 35mm transfer cost and will hold the exclusive Bangladesh distribution rights. The film is likely to be released in the next couple of months.

Tareque and Catherine are quick to express their gratitude to the British Council for its major support to the film. The film also received the prestigious Hubert Bals Foundation grant for scripting.

Ontorjatra is one more milestone for the Masuds, well known for their superb films. Their latest oeuvre is truly a journey worth undertaking for viewers. Hopefully it will earn more laurels for the country like Matir Moina.