Bangladeshi film director, producer, and screenplay writer Mostofa Sarwar Farooki ushered in a new wave in the Bangladeshi drama and film industry in the early 2000s. His vision redefined storytelling, breaking away from traditional screenplays and conventions. His works, from advertisements to feature films, captivated audiences and reshaped industry norms. He also paved the way for Bangladeshi cinema’s emergence on the global stage. Let’s explore the iconic films and dramas that defined Farooki's career in the creative sector. Top 10 Films & Dramas by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki  . Bachelor | 2004 Written by acclaimed writer Anisul Hoque, this comedy-romantic movie marks Farooki's directorial debut. Through witty humor, the film depicts the lives, loves, and emotions of a group of bachelors, each representing the essence of modern youth. The cast features celebrated actors like Humayun Faridi, Ferdous Ahmed, Shabnur, and Ahmed Rubel. It also introduced talents like Aupee Karim, Jaya Ahsan, and Marzuk Russell to Bangladeshi cinema. Recognized internationally, ‘Bachelor’ was officially selected at the New Jersey Independent South Asian Cine Fest, Third Eye IFF in Mumbai, and Italy’s Asiatica Filmmedia. Made in Bangladesh | 2006 Based on the novel ‘Jimmi’ by Anisul Hoque, this political satire captures the frustrations of Bangladesh’s disillusioned youth. Farooki crafts a bold narrative through the character of Khorshed, an unemployed young man played by Zahid Hasan. He confronts the pervasive corruption and social injustice that affect every aspect of life. Shahiduzzaman Selim, Rosey Siddique, Tariq Anam Khan, Srabosti Dutta Tinni, Tania Ahmed, Jayanto Chattopadhyay, Hasan Masood, Marzuk Russell, and Fazlur Rahman Babu round out the cast. Praised for its daring commentary, this movie received a Special Mention from the Jury Board at the 2008 Dhaka International Film Festival. Carrom-1 and 2 | 2006 This two-episode telefilm, co-written by Farooki and Kochi Khondokar, brings humor and heart to the tale of Shafiqul, who has a physical ailment–an issue with his finger. He faces ridicule from neighbors who doubt his ability to win at the carrom game. He accepts the challenge of defeating Tapan, a renowned local player.  ‘Carrom’ featured Mosharraf Karim, who charmed audiences with his quirky and heartfelt performance. The cast also includes Nusrat Imrose Tisha, Rifat Chowdhury, Kochi Khondokar, Bappi Ashraf, and Ishtiaq Ahmed Rumel. 420 | 2007-2008 With a compelling portrayal of local politics, this drama series is one of Farooki's most celebrated works on television. The comedy serial centers on two brothers from a rural background who find themselves unintentionally involved in the city’s political scene. As the brothers rise to influence, they quickly discover the murky compromises and ethical challenges. Starring Mosharraf Karim and Lutfur Rahman George as the central duo, the series boasts actors including Tisha, Sohel Khan, Marzuk Russell, Rifat Chowdhury, Kochi Khondokar, and Siddiqur Rahman. Their performances, combined with Farooki’s insightful writing and direction, made 420 a cultural touchstone for Bangladeshi audiences. Sixty Nine | 2008-2009 Jointly created by Anisul Hoque and Farooki, this popular family drama series provides an authentic look at a family, where traditional bonds test modern life’s demands. The storyline revolves around a family with six children who live together in a single apartment building, yet they struggle to spare quality time amid their busy lives.  The drama series features an ensemble cast that includes Tisha, Shahiduzzaman Selim, Hasan Masood, Jaya Ahsan, Srabosti Dutta Tinni, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Ahmed Rubel, Marzuk Russell, and Rifat Chowdhury. Farooki’s direction shines as he balances lighthearted storytelling with insights into family dynamics, creating a series that resonates with audiences of all generations.

Romania is a country in the Balkan region of Southeastern Europe. The preserved medieval towns like Sighisoara, enriched with innumerable castles and fortified churches, make the architecture, traditions, culture, and history of Romania unique from the rest of Europe. Romania's modern and international education system is also praised globally. Let’s look at the detailed process of studying for a bachelor's degree in Romania.  Why Study in Romania?  More than anything, Romania is known for its affordable tuition fees. You are looking at a cost that is 50% less than in Germany, and up to 60% less than that in the UK. But beyond that, Romanian institutions are also known for their academic excellence. Two Romanian universities made it to the top 1000 list while 11 others made it into the top 1500 list of QS Ranking for 2024.  About 33,000 international students are studying in Romania from over 80 countries. The cultural diversity and the social inclusivity create a perfect academic environment.  Read more: Higher Study Opportunities in Turkey for International Students: Process, Cost Romania has a total of 49 internationally accredited universities that follow the Bologna Process. Additionally, each university has a robust ECTS system which makes it easy to pursue an exchange program while studying at a Romanian university.   Besides, the country offers up to 20 hours of work per week for international students which can be converted to full-time during semester breaks and holidays. There is a high demand for Romanian university graduates too. Top companies like Bosch, Oracle, and Microsoft regularly hire international graduates from Romanian universities.  How Can Non-EU Students Apply for Bachelor's Degree in Romania? Unlike Germany and France, Romania doesn’t have a centralized application system for bachelors. This means that students will have to individually apply to the universities and their preferred programs. Here’s a step-by-step guide to applying for a bachelor's program in Romania.  Read more: Study in Thailand: Admission process, cost for International Students Step 1: Program and University Selection The first step is to select a program and university. Like most European universities, Romania offers a diverse discipline to study bachelors. Some of the popular majors include medicine, engineering, management, and social sciences. Specialized engineering subjects like computer sciences are also in high demand.  Students can easily search for their desired programs and universities through the Bachelors Portal (https://www.bachelorsportal.com/search/bachelor/romania) and Free Apply (https://free-apply.com/en/articles/country/798549/degree/1). Note that these websites are only good for doing some basic research into the program. For a detailed guide and application process, make sure to refer to the official portal of the university.  Step 2: Organize the Paperwork  The next step is to ready the paperwork. As Romania follows the Bologna Process, you will need a high school diploma to apply for bachelors. Romania is one of the few European countries where you can study without IELTS/TOEFL (if you choose to study in Romanian). Read more: How to Register for IELTS Exam in Bangladesh Here’s a list of documents that you should prepare beforehand.  - Completed Application Form- High school diploma (SSC and HSC certificate in the case of Bangladesh) - Transcript of the diplomas - Passport and birth certificate (NID is also applicable) - IELTS/TOEFL score/MOI (Not required if you apply for Romanian-taught programs)- Proof of solvency - Letter of recommendation - Writing samples/ Motivation letter - CV/Resume - Medical Certificate. Read more: Study in Ireland: Application process, cost for international students Step 3: Application Submission  You can directly apply to the universities. Some universities accept online documents at the first stage of screening. Others might require you to send translated and notarized documents by post.  Step 4: Wait for the Decision  The last step is to wait for the admission decision. If you apply for Romanian-taught programs, you might receive a conditional offer letter where you will have to study Romanian for 1 year before the bachelor's program.  Best Universities and Popular Bachelor’s Programs in Romania As mentioned above, there are 49 accredited universities in Romania of which 13 make it to the QS ranking. Some of the top institutes and popular programs include:  Babeș-Bolyai University Babeș-Bolyai University is the oldest and largest public university in Romania. Tracing its roots back to 1581, Babeș-Bolyai currently has over 48,000 students in its bachelor's, master's, and PhD programs.  Read more: Study in New Zealand: Application process, cost for international students Bachelor's programs at UBB are taught in Romanian, Hungarian, German, English, and French. Specialized engineering, sociology, and theology-related disciplines are the most sought-after programs at UBB. Yearly tuition ranges between 3,000 to 5,000 Euros or 3,85,347 to 6,42,246 BDT depending on the discipline (1 EUR = 128.45 BDT).  University of Bucharest  The University of Bucharest is the premier advanced research and education university of Romania founded in 1864. The university offers courses in both English and Romanian depending on majors.  Currently, over 32,000 students are enrolled in the University of Bucharest with over 22,000 being undergraduate students. The faculty of Business and administration, specialized sciences, theology, and letters are prominent disciplines of the university. The tuition fee ranges between 2,500 to 4,500 Euros or 3,21,123 to 5,78,021 BDT depending on faculty.  Read more: Distance Learning: Top Universities Offering Online Courses for International Students Alexandru Ioan Cuza University  Alexandru Ioan Cuza University is another premier research-based public university that traces back its roots to 1640. With over 24,000 students, Ioan Cuza University is the third-largest university in Romania by volume. As per the Shanghai criteria, the university placed first in Romania consecutively for three years in 2008.  The university offers programs in Romanian, English, and French. The faculty of biology, computer sciences, mathematics, social-political sciences, history, and theology are some of the top disciplines in the university. The yearly tuition fee ranges between 2,800 to 4,000 Euros or 3,59,658 to 5,23,556 BDT depending on the faculty.  Technical University of Cluj-Napoca The Technical University of Cluj-Napoca is another public technical university founded in 1948 based on the Industrial College founded in 1920. With over 20,000 students, the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca is 4th largest university in Romania by volume.  Read more: Graduate Programs in the US: Guide for Bangladeshi Students The university offers courses in both English and Romanian. As a specialized technical university, the faculties of architecture and urban planning, computer sciences, automation, mechatronics, civil engineering, and environmental engineering attract the majority of the students. The yearly tuition fees range between 2000 to 3,500 Euros or 2,56,898 to 4,49,572 BDT per year.  Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iași The Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iași traces its roots back to 1937. The university currently holds over 16 thousand students across its 11 faculties and 3 departments. As a specialized technical university, all the leading sciences and engineering programs are available. However, not all of them are available in English. the yearly tuition fee ranges from 2,500 to 4,000 Euros or 3,40,658 to 5,23,556 BDT.