Culture Desk
Model and actress Priota Iftekhar wanted to surprise her grandmother, Nurjahan Begum, on her birthday. Not with just any gift, but with a documentary she had made on the illustrious life and career of Nurjahan Begum, the first female journalist in Bangladesh.
However, Nurjahan Begum tragically passed away a few days short of the screening of her granddaughter’s work. After Nurjahan Begum’s demise on May 23, marking her birthday anniversary, the documentary titled Itihash-er Kinbadonti Nurjahan Begum premiered at the Star Cineplex on June 4. Prior to the screening of the 15-minutes documentary, a discussion conducted by Sara Zaker was held.
Poet Nasir Ahmed and TV drama director Chayanika Chowdhury spoke at the discussion about the influential work done by the late journalist. Rasheda K Chowdhury, the former adviser of the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh, also joined the discussion.
Chayanika Chowdhury mentioned how the Begum magazine, the first of its kind, headed by Nurjahan Begum as Editor, has been making differences in the lives of women in the subcontinent for the last 65 years. She said, “In our youth, we had no Facebook or internet based activities back then. We only had Begum.”
A few other members of Nurjahan Begum’s family also attended the premier show to watch Priota’s first directorial venture. Priota said that if she can earn support, advice and recognition from people, she would try to exhibit the documentary at major film festivals around the world, especially at those which concentrate on films on women.
The documentary has been produced by rUpitra Productions In support with Channel i.
