Under fire: 'Children of Wire'

The Dhaka Times Desk The Indian film 'Children of War' or 'Juddhashishu', made on the liberation war of Bangladesh, has come under heavy criticism.

The film was released in Dhaka last week. In the round table meeting on 'Politics of Films, Economics of Films' held jointly by Muviana Film Society and Dhaka University Film Society on 2nd June at 4 pm, there was strong criticism of the recently released Indian film 'War Child' in Bangladesh. In view of the release of the film, this round table discussion was organized at Munir Chowdhury Auditorium of TSC, Dhaka University.

At the center of the discussion was the aesthetic importance of film, as well as the politics of film and the economic politics of film. The theme of this event was the Indian movie 'Juddhashishu'. Since the Liberation War of Bangladesh and the 1971 Indian director Mrityunjoy Devbrata, this film is discussed in that context.

This meeting was attended by the writer and professor. Salimulsnah Khan, film director association president filmmaker Shahidul Islam Khokon, film critic and professor Fahmidul Haque, film critic Zaid Aziz, poet Shoaib Sarbanam, film researcher Sabrina Sultana Chowdhury and others.

Film researcher Sabrina Sultana Chowdhury said, 'The image of war children and heroic figures presented in the film - neither heroic figures nor war children have been properly reflected. The heroes of this film are shown the events created outside the scope of our known history. Which seems to be the fertile brainchild of the maker of this film.

Filmmaker Kamrul Hasan Qayoum said there is a question about the naming of the film. He said, I was looking for 'war child' in the whole film but I didn't find it, finally I discovered that Bangladesh is actually the 'war child' in this film! The producer wants to understand that it was born as a result of the rape of Pakistani soldiers!

Author and professor Dr. Salimulsnah Khan Meherjan said, 'Show this film for three hours is a test! I didn't find any sign of liberation war with the story behind the film. This is like a liberation war of Kalpalok!' He pointed out the political importance of this film and said, 'Delhi may have reason to be happy but Dhaka has no benefit in it!'

It is to be noted that the Indian filmmaker made this film with the name "Bastard of Child" on the story of Bangladesh's liberation war. Later, the name was changed to "Child of War" or "War Child" in the face of objection from the Indian Censor Board. The film was released in India and Bangladesh.