The highly anticipated film Cha Gorom premiered at Star Cineplex on Monday, drawing cultural influencers, government officials, development partners, industry professionals, and journalists.
The film offers a moving portrait of life inside Bangladesh’s tea estates—communities that remain central to the nation’s economy yet largely invisible in mainstream storytelling.
Directed by Shankha Dasgupta and jointly produced by Chorki and Oxfam in Bangladesh, with support from the European Union, Cha Gorom brings to the screen a human story rooted in lived reality. Set against the lush yet challenging landscape of the tea estates, the film follows the journey of Irene—played by Safa Kabir—a young doctor who enters a world far from her own and discovers the resilience, struggles, humour, and dreams of a community often overlooked.
‘Cha Gorom’ to premiere on Pahela Baishakh, spotlighting tea garden workers’ lives
Bangladesh is the 9th-largest tea-producing country, home to more than 167 tea estates and thousands of workers whose labour sustains both national consumption and global supply.
Despite this, tea garden workers—many from historically marginalised communities—continue to face persistent social and economic challenges. Cha Gorom sheds light on these realities through characters whose stories echo the lives of real workers.
Director Shankha Dasgupta emphasised the significance of portraying the tea garden not merely as a backdrop but as a living world: “For decades, tea gardens in Bangladesh have been used as scenic backgrounds in films. With Cha Gorom, we wanted to go inside to understand the people, their rituals, their happiness, and their pain. What we found were stories far more powerful than we imagined. This film is a tribute to their humanity, dignity, and unspoken strength.”
Lead actress Safa Kabir, who portrays Irene, shared how the film reshaped her understanding of community and struggle: “Cha Gorom tells the story of people who live on the margins yet carry extraordinary courage. Playing Irene taught me how much we miss when we fail to look beyond our world. This film is about empathy, solidarity, and standing beside one another. I believe viewers will feel its emotional depth.”
Actor Partho Sheikh, who plays Mithu, said: “The philosophy of the story is hidden in the tea leaf itself. Just like a tea plant grows when allowed space, people grow when their dreams are not uprooted. Cha Gorom is about that quiet struggle—what happens when ordinary people dare to hope.”
Redwan Rony, CEO, noted the platform’s commitment to meaningful narratives: “Cha Gorom aligns with our mission to bring stories that matter to audiences. This film blends entertainment with social reality, reminding us that storytelling can open hearts and inspire change. Releasing it during Pahela Baishakh symbolises renewal—a chance to see and feel differently.”
Oxfam in Bangladesh has long worked in the tea industry of Bangladesh. Ashish Damle, Country Director of Oxfam in Bangladesh, said: “Tea workers are central to Bangladesh’s economy, yet their stories are rarely heard. Cha Gorom opens a window into their lives—their dreams, struggles, humour, and resilience. Through this collaboration with Chorki, we hope viewers not only see a film but also recognise a community whose dignity and aspirations deserve national attention.”
Scheduled to release officially on Chorki on 14 April, Cha Gorom also features AK Azad Setu. The story and screenplay of 'Cha Goram' were written by Saifullah Riyad. The film's idea, research and project implementation have been led by Md Sariful Islam, Head of Communications and Advocacy of Oxfam in Bangladesh. Robi and Revival Tea join as the partners of the film. Cha Gorom is more than a cinematic work, it will strengthen collective understanding and inspire action toward the sustainable tea industry.