First Poster of 'Janowar' Released After Long Delay Over Trained Local Dogs; Film Features 150 Performers

After a long wait and many ups and downs, the first official poster of Jaaz Multimedia's new film 'Janowar – The Beast' has been released. The poster was published on the production company's official page.

Directed by Zahid Jewel, the poster carries a distinctive atmosphere and hints of a thriller, and it has stirred curiosity among film lovers, according to the announcement.

Jaaz Multimedia said in a Facebook post that the story of 'Janowar' had been ready long ago. Shooting was planned to begin in 2021, but the makers ran into a major obstacle over local street dogs, one of the story's central elements.

The production company said local street dogs appear in about 70 percent of the film's scenes. Portraying their presence, behaviour and relationship with people convincingly on screen was a major challenge for the makers.

The makers repeatedly failed in their search for trained local dogs. Jaaz even announced a reward of one lakh taka for anyone who could supply ten trained local dogs, but that too did not bring the hoped-for response. The production company was eventually forced to suspend work on the film.

The dogs were not the only challenge; finding performers suited to the film's characters was also difficult for the producers. Jaaz Multimedia said the long-stalled film found new life after a meeting with young filmmaker Zahid Jewel during last Eid-ul-Adha.

Director Jewel expressed a wish to work with fresh faces who fit the story's characters instead of established heroes and heroines. Jaaz backed that idea and began work, and after four months of searching the desired newcomer hero and heroine were found.

The film is set between 1965 and 1990. A large part of it features the Sadarghat jetty of 1965. AI and VFX have been used to recreate the period's environment, locations and the dog scenes.

The real performers acted on green screen and did their own dubbing. Technology was used to place their performances within the story's period and setting.

The film is being made with a total of 150 performers, including four newcomers. The cast includes newcomers Saj and Abantika, along with Avanti, Nusrat, Alisha, Nader Chowdhury, Shiba Sanu, Joy, Nazmul, Shuvro Meraj, Raka Poppy, Shah Alam Sarkar and many others.

The film's original concept is by Shah Alam Sarkar, and the story and dialogue were written by Shah Alam Sarkar and Abdul Aziz. Jaaz Multimedia is producing the film. The company said the lead hero and heroine will be formally introduced to audiences soon.