There was a time when an embargo had been imposed on supplying food produced in one district to another. The result was – the areas with a lower number of farm labourers would see lower production and face subsequent food shortages in Dhaka, Faridpur and Cumilla in particular.
This is how the then Pakistan government discriminated against people in the country’s eastern part through an unjust “Cordon” system.
The movie titled “Dawal”, made with the grant of Bangladesh government, is based on a few storylines like this, dating back to 1948-49. At that time, day labourers used to move from one district to another to cut paddies and they were called “Dawal”, Director Picklu Chowdhury said.
Apart from this biased approach, the then Pakistan government also created a fund named the “Jinnah Fund”.Every citizen had to contribute one rupee to that fund and the money used to be spent on the development of Pakistan. The people of then East Pakistan protested this policy, waged a movement against it, and locked in clashes with police. Towards the end of 1948, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman joined the movement at the age of 28 and resolved issues regarding the “Cordon” system and the “Jinnah Fund” problems with his strong leadership.
“Dawal”portrays the Pakistani government’s discriminatory policythat led to frequent occurrence of various incidents.
Many talented Bangladeshi artists acted in the film. Its Director Picklu Chowdhury said he will soon hold a press conference in this connection. Popular music director Emon Chowdhury is currently working on the film’s music. Its dubbing and editing have also been completed, he noted.
The film has been sent to the ministry, seeking the second installment of the government’s grant. After the film’s screening at the ministry, the money will be released.“Dawal” is expected to hit cinema hallstowards the end of this year or early next year, Picklu Chowdhury said.
The filmmaker has been working tirelessly for the past one and a half years to create the film.
Rokibul Hasan Chowdhury, known as Picklu Chowdhury, isa film director and producer by profession. He has directed and produced documentaries, TVCs, TV dramas, and TV commercials. Dawal is going to be his first full-length film.
Apart from this, Picklu Chowdhury is actively involved in various organisations, such as Advertising Filmmaker Association (ADF), Bangladesh Association of Advertising Producer (BAAP), Bangladesh Film Directors Association. He served as publicity and publications secretary and joint-general secretary for two years in Director’s Guild.
