Simon and Mahi's New 'Anand Ashru' Releases on November 13, Director Says It Is Not a Sequel

Mahiya Mahi and Simon Sadik are returning in a new film titled 'Anand Ashru', directed by Mostafizur Rahman Manik. The director announced the release date by sharing a look from the film on social media — it will be released on November 13.

An earlier film of the same name, starring the late Salman Shah and Shabnur, was directed by Shibli Sadik. It was released on August 1, 1997 and was a major success at the time; its songs still hold a place in viewers' memories.

The new film is Mostafizur Rahman Manik's 12th as a director. He previously made the film 'Dui Noyoner Alo'.

Manik said all the work on the film, including the censor process, was completed two years ago. In his words, it took two years to find the right time for release, and the film is finally being released on November 13.

The director made clear that the new 'Anand Ashru' is not a sequel to the Salman Shah and Shabnur film. It has been made with a completely original and separate story. In his words, it is an out-and-out romantic film and its story has no similarity to the earlier film's story.

Manik previously made 'Jannat' with Simon Sadik and Mahiya Mahi. Simon Sadik won the National Film Award for best actor for his performance in that 2018 film. Manik said this is his second film with the pair after 'Jannat'; the name carries weight but no pressure, he tried to make a good film, and the rest is for audiences to judge.

The film also stars Shahiduzzaman Selim, Aliraj, Sujata, Nasrin and Chikon Ali. Joy Chowdhury appears in a special role.