Born from the grief of losing his wife to cancer, Sohel Rahman's film 'Hawar Gari' set for release early in the new year

The film 'Hawar Gari' has been made from the grief of losing a loved one, telling a story of the fight against cancer, hope and love. Directed by filmmaker Sohel Rahman, the film's final cut has been completed. If all goes to plan, it will be released in cinemas at the start of the new year, although no exact release date has been announced yet.

The film portrays the life struggles of Dhaka's working people, the unequal battle against cancer and the many ups and downs of life. Blending tears, laughter, hope and love, the story follows people battered by life's battles who still try to live with their heads held high.

Behind the making of 'Hawar Gari' lies a painful experience from director Sohel Rahman's personal life. Just one month after their wedding, his wife was diagnosed with cancer. He then spent about a year fighting for her treatment at various hospitals in Dhaka to save her. But in March this year, she lost her battle with cancer and died.

Although the film's story partly mirrors the director's own hard experience, it is not only a story of his personal grief; the narrative is centred on the life struggles of countless striving people in the city of Dhaka. Almost every character in the film is scarred by adversity, yet they refuse to surrender to it and keep trying to live.

Produced under the banner of Villa du Cinema, the film features Chitralekha Guha, Fazlul Haque, Ayman Shimla, Yashfa Tasnia Mallik, Omar Faruk, Thridha Pal Maan and Shobdo in important roles.

The film was completed in a short time and on a limited budget. The script, locations, cast and crew were finalised in April and May, and shooting was completed in Dhaka in June. Editing began in Portugal and Spain in July, and after four months of continuous work the final cut was ready in November.

Most members of the production team are students of Sohel Rahman. Talented artists of the country worked on the film with enthusiasm, and the director also received support from friends and well-wishers. Several film critics at home and abroad have already seen the final rough cut, and many have called it 'heart-touching and powerful'.

Sohel Rahman himself handled the film's script, direction, production and editing. Sharafat Ali Shawkat worked as the principal cinematographer, and the poster was designed by Belgian-Portuguese graphic designer Mika Barreto.

The director has dedicated the film to his late wife. He also hopes it will play a special role in the activities of the 'Dr Samrina Tanha Cancer Foundation', being set up in his wife's name, and in raising awareness about cancer. Sohel Rahman believes this distinctive and original story will enrich the country's film industry and inspire young filmmakers to think and work in new ways.