University students’ self-funded film ‘Onnopata’ to release during Durga Puja

A group of students from four universities has made a full-length film by saving money from their tuition jobs and other earnings. Their first joint film, Onnopata, is set to be released during the upcoming Durga Puja.

The film has been made under the banner of SJA Productions, with more than 40 students from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Cuet), University of Dhaka (DU) and University of Chittagong (CU) working behind the scenes.

According to the filmmakers, production of the film was completed in phases over nearly two years. The project initially started with a small team of six people before growing into a group of more than 40 young members.

The story is set against the backdrop of university admission tests in Bangladesh. It explores the struggles of admission, family pressure, identity crisis and harsh realities.

The screenplay, written by director and Cuet student Md Shahjahan Aini, combines these real-life struggles with the love story of a young man who tries to secure university admission while battling extreme poverty.

“Our country’s students spend one of the most important and difficult periods of their lives during university admission. ‘Onnopata’ is a sweet story about surviving that period,” the director said.

The 1-hour-40-minute film features six original songs and background music. It also showcases various scenic and natural locations in Chattogram and other parts of Bangladesh.

The filmmakers said the film’s dialogue and narrative carry a clear influence of the language used by the current generation of young people.

Producers Cuet student Ankon Dey Animesh and Buet student Abtahi Shams said the story of Onnopata is familiar, but its experience is relatively unfamiliar in Bangladesh. They expressed hope that the fresh, simple and sweet story would appeal to people of all ages.

Chittagong University students Shakil and Protyasha play the two lead characters. Shaim, Noman, Animesh, Ekushey, Imran, Manan and Roben, among others, appear in different roles.

CU student Indra Neel handled technical and art direction, while Ibrahim Bin Ansari was responsible for cinematography. Fahrian Taszim Manan directed the music for the six original songs, while Ainan composed the background score. DU student Noman handled casting direction.

The film’s announcement poster, motion video and official main poster have already been released. The filmmakers said the official trailer and music video will be released soon.