For the first time in television history, the film “840” will debut as a drama series. Alongside its theatrical run, audiences will be able to watch the film as an eight-episode-extended series on television — marking a first for simultaneous screening. 

This year, an estimated 50 Bangladeshi films have been released. Among these, only a handful have achieved commercial success. Then again, despite not performing well at the box office, other cinematic aspects like actors, actresses, and film songs have managed to remain at the centre of discussions throughout the year.

Breaking the usual rule of up to two films being released on the same day, three highly anticipated Bangladeshi films are set to hit cinemas this Friday. While typically, only two films can be released on non-festival days, the industry is making an exception. This week, audiences can look forward to Mostofa Sarwar Farooki’s political satire “840: The Great Bangla Democracy Pvt. Ltd”, Belal Sani’s sci-fi horror “Danger Zone,” and Shabnam Parvin’s comedy “Hurmoti”.

Almost 16 years ago, director Mostofa Sarwar Farooki sparked a storm of discussions with his satirical series 420, which highlighted contemporary social and political issues in Bangladesh. Now, he is back with its double-up.

Opening with a biting question—“When a man wins an election with 103% of the vote, what does he ask for next?”—the 3-minute trailer sets the stage for a sharp critique of political corruption. Nasir Uddin Khan, in the lead role, plays a flawed, power-hungry politician who will go to any lengths to secure public support and win a mayoral election.

Mostofa Sarwar Farooki is set to revive his popular 2007 political satire “420,” with a new series, titled “840,” doubling down on the ‘absurdities’ of Bangladeshi politics.

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs has announced seven priority programmes, including a nationwide talent hunt and a youth festival, to reignite the cultural landscape of Bangladesh.

Since taking the oath as the cultural adviser for the interim government, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has faced significant backlash on social media. However, on the third day of his tenure, he delivered some positive news regarding two major ongoing issues in the cultural arena that had been widely discussed across the nation.

Farooki has been facing social media backlash since taking his oath as an adviser to the interim government. Many have labelled him as a collaborator of the previous regime. On his first day in office, he was confronted with these allegations, and rather than avoid them, he addressed them head-on.

Farooki, a renowned filmmaker, acknowledged the longstanding neglect of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. "Let’s not hide the fact—everyone knows the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has long been neglected. The budget for this sector is always limited. But my advantage is that I have an incredible team. Mohammad Azam is at the Bangla Academy, and he’s a brand! I have been following his work for a long time.”

Farooki, renowned for his critically acclaimed films and television dramas, has been entrusted with overseeing the Cultural Affairs Ministry.

The director who has made popular films including “Television” and “Doob - No Bed of Roses” has been a vocal supporter of the student-led mass uprising.

The much-anticipated rom-com “36-24-36”, starring actress Parthana Fardeen Dighi, has received an uncut Universal (U) rating from the Censor Certification Board, signaling its suitability for audiences of all ages. 

Founded in 1998, Chabial has since produced advertisements, television dramas, and films under its banner. Farooki’s first production under Chabial was “Waiting Room”, which no television channel wanted to buy at the time. However, the landscape has drastically changed over the years.

Filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has been a vocal supporter of the anti-discrimination student movement since its inception. While he didn’t participate directly in the street protests, Farooki consistently expressed his solidarity with the students through multiple posts on Facebook. Eventually, he also aligned himself with the one-point movement calling for the former government's resignation.

Numerous films faced bans during the previous administration, with some caught up in legal disputes while others were shelved for unexplained reasons. Producers voiced their frustration over films stalled in the censor board's approval process, but their protests yielded no resolution. For years, filmmakers have called for the abolition of the censor board in favour of a system of censor certification. 

Farooki, known for his bold commentary, took to social media to voice his discontent. “Do we want films about the BDR mutiny? The atrocities committed by the Rakkhi Bahini after the Liberation War? Or the disappearances orchestrated by Hasina, Ziaul, and Tareq Siddiqui?” he asked. His series of provocative questions highlighted what he views as the censorship board’s role in stifling critical narratives, particularly those that challenge the ruling Awami League’s version of history.

Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, known for his sharp and thought-provoking narratives, has established himself as a prominent figure in the drama genre within the world of cinema. Over the years, he has directed several intense films and series, one of which, "Saturday Afternoon", has faced significant delays due to various challenges. 

In a heartfelt social media post, Farooki pleaded with the public to show empathy and support to the police officers returning to their duties. He wrote, “We hope that our brothers and sisters in the police force will return to their duties within a day or two. We have high hopes that they will become a new police force for a new Bangladesh.”

In such challenging times, when protesters and civilians were indiscriminately killed, wholesale arrests, block raids, and a nationwide internet shutdown violated citizens' fundamental rights, keeping the nation on edge for weeks– only a few had the courage to raise their voices against the oppression and injustice.