PHOTOS: COURTESY

Adapted from Humayun Ahmed’s novel Kichukkhon , director Tanim Noor’s Bonolota Express is all set for shooting from December 15 onwards.

RAKSHANDA RAHMAN MISHA

At a private event on Saturday, December 14, the film revealed its lineup of performers, which includes Mosharraf Karim, Chanchal Chowdhury, Azmeri Haque Badhan, Sariful Razz, Sabila Nur, Shamol Mawla, Zakia Bari Mamo, and Intekhab Dinar.

Keeping the mystery around the movie intact, the cast chose not to reveal much about their characters. For now, audiences only know the names of the passengers boarding this train journey are Aziz, Afia, Ashab, Chitra, Abul Khayer, Surma, Rashid Uddin, and Boro Chacha.

Speaking about the film, Tanim Noor shared his excitement and gratitude. “It’s a huge achievement for me to make a film based on Humayun Ahmed’s novel. I am also thrilled to work with such a brilliant cast. For a long time, I had a desire to work with both Chanchal Chowdhury and Mosharraf Karim.”

Mosharraf Karim expressed his admiration for the director. “I fell in love with the character. Tanim Noor can tell a melancholic story and still make you smile. Another big reason I agreed to this film was Utshob . I have rarely seen such presentation in Bangladeshi cinema. I would also like to give a special shout-out to Shadhin and Samiul, the scriptwriters of the movie. I genuinely loved the script.”

Chanchal Chowdhury, who reunites with Tanim Noor after Utshob , shared his joy at being part of the project. “It feels great to work with Tanim again. After the success of Utshob , he told me he wanted to collaborate once more. What pulled me to this film was Humayun Ahmed’s story and my co-artistes. It feels like a reunion. Going on this beautiful journey aboard a train—I truly hope we can take the audience along with us.”

Bonolota Express will also introduce a fresh on-screen pairing of Sariful Razz and Sabila Nur.

“The script by Shadhin and Samiul was fantastic, with such beautiful dialogues. I instantly felt this would be an exciting journey, and I’m truly looking forward to it,” said Sabila.

After previously acting in a film based on Humayun Ahmed’s novel Daruchini Dwip , Zakia Bari Mamo is once again returning to the author’s literary world. “For me, the ultimate destination is reaching the audience’s heart. I feel fortunate to be working with such wonderful co-artistes in this film.”

An interesting moment from the press conference was Azmeri Haque Badhan recalling how she had once missed working on Daruchini Dwip due to her exams.

“Because of my exams, I couldn’t work with Mosharraf Karim back then,” she said. “When the offer for Bonolota Express came, my daughter insisted that I do this film. She told me I often play serious or frustrating characters and that I should do something like Utshob . She really likes Tanim, and everyone knows how big a fan I am. It was because of him that I participated in Lux Channel i Superstar. I’m extremely excited to work with Tanim Noor and such fabulous co-actors.”

With a multi-starrer cast aboard and Tanim Noor steering the journey, it’s safe to say audiences are in for a beautiful ride filled with love, emotion, nostalgia, and togetherness as Bonolota Express prepares to get on board in theatres on Eid.