Bangladesh and India have agreed to fast track the completion of “Bangabandhu”, a biopic on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, as it is expected to be released globally in March 2022.

Indian Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur held a meeting with a delegation of Bangladesh led by Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud in New Delhi on Tuesday and discussed the issue.

They discussed matters of mutual interests to further the strong ties between the two countries in areas of broadcasting and entertainment, strengthen people-to-people contact and explore the potential of soft-power interface between the two countries. 

Also read: Info Minister for strengthening Dhaka-Delhi people-to-people ties

Anurag Thakur expressed satisfaction over the production of the movie on the life and times of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and mentioned “major part of the production has been completed.

"I expect the production to be over by March, 2022, if the Covid situation permits, so that the movie could be released internationally in March, 2022," he was quoted by the Press Information Bureau of India as saying. 

Hasan Mahmud thanked Anurag Singh Thakur for hosting him and his team to discuss the matters of mutual interest and cooperation.  

Also read: Inauguration of Bangabandhu Media Centre at Press Club of India Monday

He appreciated the pro-active steps taken by the Indian government and made special mention of the visit of Shri Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime Minister to Bangladesh in March, 2021.

It was also agreed to pro-actively pursue production of the documentary film on “Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971”. 

There were discussions also on strengthening the ties between the two countries in the areas of digital entertainment and screening of films of each other’s country through mutual exchange.

The two ministers also discussed the celebration of “Maitri Diwas” on 6th December, 2021 for which a mutually accepted action plan would be detailed and carried out.

Thakur thanked the government of Bangladesh for its active participation in 51st IFFI held in January, 2021 and invited renewed participation in 52nd IFFI to be held in Goa in November, 2021. 

Both the ministers lent support to cooperation between the two countries for further strengthening of cultural and people-to-people ties.