Feature film ‘Rohingya’- the story of humanity’s liberation

When it comes to serving humanity and the most distressed people on the earth, Myanmar’s Rohingya refugees and Bangladesh’s name get synonymous before the international communities.

In 2017 when the ethnic Rohingyas were brutally tortured and persecuted by their military and racist forces, it compelled them to quit their motherland and take refuge in Bangladesh.

It was a tremendous task for Bangladesh’s government to shelter nearly one million Rohingyas, making the United Nations concerned. The mass exodus did appall the entire world.

Afterwards, the term ‘Rohingya’ has become a symbol of torment, persecution, oppression and dehumanization. Myanmar’s belligerent attitudes towards the Rohingyas have moved the heart of a film director.

Syed Wahiduzzaman Diamond has portrayed the extreme struggle of these Rohingyas on the silver screen as he directed the feature film ‘Rohingya’

The movie was released simultaneously in 11 cinema theatres across the country on Friday. Wahiduzzaman said the response of the audience was ‘very good’.

He told the Business Insider Bangladesh that he first thought of the story a decade ago--- to be precise in 2012--- and started working on the screenplay accordingly. He had also planned to shoot some scenes in Myanmar’s Rakhine state where the Rohingyas used to live.

But soon after that Rohingya persecution began in Rakhine in a horrific manner, the situation became extremely chaotic and dangerous. So, he dropped the idea of going there.  

At one point, Rohingya refugees started entering into Bangladesh in their thousands. In such a situation, the director changed the script.

The story depicts the life of the refugees who have been in Bangladesh since the 2017 exodus. The shooting also began in the same year. The makers have shot scenes in Naf River, at Shahpari Island, Ukhia and Teknaf vicinities.

Wahiduzzaman said that shooting in the Rohingya camp was very challenging. While filming a scene of a sinking trawler sardined by the Rohingyas in Naf river, and burning of Rohingya village--- as per the script--- some unexpected accidents had occurred, he said.

However, “all these challenges were secondary to the suffering of the Rohingyas,” said the director.

He further said, “These people have been uprooted from their motherland. They are carrying the stigma wherever they are going. And, it is not easy for Bangladesh to bear the burden of these people.”

“If the Rohingyas can return to their country, humanity will be liberated, and Bangladesh will be unburdened,” he added.

Arshi Hossain, the actress of this generation, played the role of a Rohingya woman named Achia in the film. She got so into the character that she was approached by a NGO worker who wanted to help her. The event took place at the Rohingya camp in Ukhia just after completing a scene.

Other actors are: Arshi, Omer Aiaz, Saddam Hossain, Jannat Suchi, Shafiul Alam Bablu, Brishti and Shaquiba, among others.

Along with developing the plot the directors also wrote screenplay, and ethnic dialogues of the movie. He has also produced the film.