Sangram (1974 film)

1974 Bangladeshi film

Sangram

Original title| সংগ্রাম
Directed by| Chashi Nazrul Islam
Screenplay by| Kazi Aziz Ahmed
Based on| Personal Diary
by Khaled Mosharraf
Produced by| Kazi Sobuz
Starring|

* Khosru
* Shuchanda
* Nuton
* Hasan Imam
* Darashiko

Edited by| Bashir Hossain
Music by| Khandaker Nurul Alam
Distributed by| Anupam Kathachitra

Release date

* 18 January 1974 (18 January 1974)

Running time

| 97 mins
Country| Bangladesh
Language| Bengali

Sangram (lit. 'Struggle') is a Bangladeshi war drama film that was released in 1974. The film was directed by Chashi Nazrul Islam and produced by Kazi Sobuz.[1] Its story is based on true events Khaled Mosharraf wrote in a diary; it depicts the East Bengal Regiment's battles against the Pakistan army and the contribution of Bengali armies to Bangladesh's war of liberation.[2]

## Plot

[edit]

People are marching in the streets of East Pakistan in protests against the country's military junta. At his home, Captain Asad of the Pakistan Army is arguing about the country's future with his sister and her friend. Several days later, Captain Asad and some armies from East Bengal Regiment go to talk with Major Hassan; they learn the Pakistani army has started distrusting Bengali officials. Large numbers of troops are coming from West Pakistan to East Pakistan, which is a sign of danger, and troops of Punjab Regiment are strengthening their area's security system.

An officer of the Punjab Regiment, on the pretext of the presence of Naxalites, sends a section of the East Bengal Regiment to Shamserganj, far from Chittagong Cantonment, and orders them to remain there. Senior Pakistan Army officials order the return of arms to the Bengali troops. The Bengalis reject this order. Realizing the Pakistanis will soon attack them, the Bengali armies revolt and capture the Punjabi regiment troops. After the declaration of Bangladeshi independence, the war of liberation begins. Pakistani troops detain Captain Asad and a soldier but Asad escapes from the local prison.

Pakistani troops searching for Asad arrive at his house with Razakar Daliluddin and snatch his sister's friend Rikta from his mother. Asad returns home and learns everything from his mother. Asad joins with Major Hassan and they conduct a military operation to liberate his village and rescue the tortured Rikta from Pakistani troops. They win the battle. For nine months Asad fights with the freedom fighters and liberate Bangladesh from Pakistan, undergoing many hardships.

## Cast

[edit]

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

* Darashiko[3] as Major Hassan[a]
* Khosru[5] as Captain Asad
* Shuchanda[5] as Mukta, sister of Asad
* Nuton as Rikta, friend of Mukta
* Hasan Imam as Dr Kabir, a doctor in a camp of freedom fighters
* Khalil as a Punjabi officer
* ATM Shamsuzzaman as Daliluddin, a razakar
* Soldiers from Bangladesh Army
* Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (a.k.a. Bangabandhu) as himself (cameo appearance)[6]

## Production

[edit]

The cast of Sangram includes Bangladeshi veterans of the War of Liberation.[4] In the film's final scene, the Bangladesh Army is honoring Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first President of Bangladesh, after the country achieved its independence. The filmmaker wanted to cast Rahman in this scene; he and actor Khasru invited Rahman to act in the film but he rejected their initial offer. Khasru later enlisted the help of Abdul Mannan, who persuaded Rahman to appear in the scene.[7][6]

## Music

[edit]

Sangram

Soundtrack album by

Ajit Roy, Abida Sultana, Kaderi Kibria

Released| 1974
Genre| Film music
Language| Bengali
Producer| Khandaker Nurul Alam

Sangram Soundtrack – Track listingNo.| Title| Lyrics| Singers| Length

|
|
|
|

1.| "Bicharpoti tomar bichar korbe jara"| Salil Chowdhury| Ajit Roy and Abida Sultana|
2.| "Salam salam"| Fazal-e-Khuda| Kaderi Kibria|

## Reception

[edit]

### Critical response

[edit]

According to columnist Bidhan Biberu, some scenes in Sangram present the use of religion by enemy as a tactic during the war. Sangram received positive reviews and acclaim.[4] Alamgir Kabir said about the film; "Except in Ora Egarojon and Sangram, most other films appear to use the phenomenon of war time rape as substitute for similar acts when portrayed in a normal commercial Bengali movie".[4] Alamgir also criticized the film, saying due to a lack of experience, the film fails to present the battle scenes in a realistic way. Film critic Chinmoy Mutsuddi has said the film has a number of inconsistent scenes, which have diminished its appeal.[4] According to columnist Nadir Junaid, the film is not unique but was produced like other, ordinary films.[8]

### Accolades

[edit]

Award  | Category  | Recipient  | Result  | Source

|
|
|
|

Bachsas Awards | Best Actor  | Darashiko  | Won  | [3]

## References

[edit]

### Notes

[edit]

1. ^ The character is based on life of Khaled Mosharraf.[4]

### Citations

[edit]

1. ^ Haque, Jony (10 December 2021). মুক্তিযুদ্ধের চলচ্চিত্র ও গান: গর্ব ও হতাশার ৫০ বছর [Movies and songs of the liberation war: 50 years of pride and despair]. Deutsche Welle (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 11 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
2. ^ Anupam Hayat (13 December 2018). মুক্তিযুদ্ধের চলচ্চিত্র [Liberation War movies]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 11 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
3. ^ a b Abdullah, Zoyad (2010). বাংলাদেশের চলচ্চিত্র: পাঁচ দশকের ইতিহাস [Films of Bangladesh: Five decades of history] (in Bengali). Jyotiprakash. p. 473.
4. ^ a b c d e Biberu, Bidhan (11 January 2017). চাষী নজরুল ইসলামের সিনেমায় দুর্বৃত্তের ধর্মের ব্যবহার [The use of the religion of the villains in the movies of Chashi Nazrul Islam]. Bangla Tribune (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 11 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
5. ^ a b Manzur, Tariq (18 December 2021). চাকরির পরীক্ষায় দরকারি মুক্তিযুদ্ধভিত্তিক চলচ্চিত্র [Films based on the liberation war that are useful in job tests]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 11 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
6. ^ a b M Motiar Rafael (17 March 2022). নাটক গান চলচ্চিত্রে বঙ্গবন্ধু [Bangabandhu in dramas, songs and films]. Jaijaidin (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 23 June 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
7. ^ "The film in which Bangabandhu acted". Bangladesh Post. 18 March 2021. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
8. ^ বাংলাদেশের মুক্তিযুদ্ধভিত্তিক চলচ্চিত্রের বক্তব্য ও নির্মাণশৈলী [Message and production style of the films based on the liberation war of Bangladesh]. Bdnews24.com (Opinion) (in Bengali). 3 April 2016. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.

*[lit.]: literal translation
*[a.k.a.]: also known as
*[No.]: Number