Redoan Rony’s 2016 film ‘Ice Cream’, which marked the big-screen debuts of actors Sariful Razz, Nazifa Tushi and Kumar Uday, is set to premiere on streaming platform Chorki at midnight on Monday, ushering in a nostalgic return a decade after its theatrical release.
The film, which hit cinemas on April 29, 2016, will be available exclusively on Chorki from October 20, allowing audiences to revisit a story that introduced three fresh faces to the big screen and featured songs that became closely associated with the film, including Arnob’s ‘Boka Chand’ and Minar Rahman’s ‘Poth’.
For Razz, Tushi and Uday, ‘Ice Cream’ was the beginning of their film careers. The actors had described the project as being like their child, recalling the love, hard work and emotions that went into making it.
Tushi, who entered the entertainment industry directly through the film without previously working in television dramas or advertisements, said she had little understanding of the industry when she took on the project.
“I stepped into the canvas of cinema without understanding or knowing how big it was. I knew nothing about the industry then; I simply wanted to act,” she said.
Recalling why she agreed to work on the film, Tushi said she believed ‘Ice Cream’ was a good film and Rony was a good director.
“I understood many things after doing ‘Ice Cream’. It feels really good that audiences will be able to watch the film again. I said then that everyone should watch it, at least once, and I am saying the same thing now; but it is truly surprising to think about how I made the film and that 10 years have passed since then,” she said.
Uday, who is currently busy with theatre productions, said the film's memories remained vivid and colourful for him.
“The film has so many memories, and all of them are colourful. They are not just memories of the past; they remain colourful memories for me,” he said, recalling the bond that developed among the three actors before filming began.
He also expressed surprise at how relevant the film remained after a decade, saying he believed it could become even more significant for the current generation.
Uday recalled that during the first phase of shooting in Saint Martin’s Island, the entire unit jumped into the sea together, holding hands after wrapping up the shoot. He said the moment remained one of his most cherished memories of the production.
Razz described ‘Ice Cream’ as more than just a film, calling it the foundation of his journey to where he is today.
“Certainly, there are some differences between the Razz of 10 years ago and the Razz of today. But ‘Ice Cream’ is the foundation of my life that helped me reach where I am now,” he said.
He recalled the rehearsals, his nervousness behind the camera, Rony’s guidance and the moments on set, adding that audiences would now be able to revisit the early days of his career through the film.
Director Rony, who also wrote the story, screenplay and dialogues, said the film was created through the tireless efforts, fresh dreams and emotions of a group of young people.
“Although the equations of life have changed over time, some feelings and realities never fade. As the film returns to the screen on Chorki after a decade, its subject matter still feels very relevant,” he said.
Rony added that the release would allow people who missed the film in cinemas, including those living abroad, to watch it from anywhere.
The film was produced by Shukla Banik, Redoan Rony and Salma Adil. Its soundtrack features vocals by Arnob, Armeen Musa, Sharmin Sultana Sumi and Minar Rahman.
The cast also includes late ATM Shamsuzzaman, Diti, Omar Sani, Sayem Sadat and Nadia Khanam.