In our society, many women still find themselves confined to a corner. But some, like Aparajita Sangita, defy all odds and raise their voices to claim their rights, snatching away the golden deer of success. She is a Bangladeshi film director who is a shining example of a woman warrior.
Born on a Victory Day in Narail, her childhood was immersed in a vibrant cultural milieu. From an early age, she excelled not only in academics but also in the arts of dance and music. Sangita's primary mentor was her father, who would compose songs and melodies for her to perform. In her own words, "The foundation of who I am today was laid by my father during my childhood."
Today's Aparajita, who is capturing the essence in front of the camera, had a different dream in her childhood. Her parents dreamt that their daughter would become a renowned doctor. However, Aparajita aspired to be a private detective or an investigative journalist. Her fascination with this field stemmed from the numerous detective stories she read in her childhood. However, the thought of making films or becoming a director never crossed her mind.
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Her professional journey began in Japan. While pursuing her studies, she also taught English at a school for children. After returning to her home country, she worked as a journalist for a while.
The desire to become a director ignited within her during her time in Japan. Her journey into the world of filmmaking began with hands-on experience working on Tanvir Mokammel's film "My Japanese Wife." It was during this time that she first realised her passion for cinema.
As a director, “Purushatonko (Fear of Men)” was her first film. Witnessing the horrific incidents of violence against women around her every day, she wanted to portray some of her feminine sensibilities in this film as a female filmmaker.
“Purushatonko” sparked lively debate and critique. The title alone drew accusations of bias, with some misinterpreting it as anti-men. However, after watching the film, most people's attitudes changed. Moreover, that year, the film was showcased in various countries around the world, including England and America. “Purushatonko” also received international awards. Therefore, she tasted success with her very first work.
About the obstacles faced as a woman in a profession like directing, she said, “In our society, women face obstacles at every step of the way. It is even more so in the case of working in the media. Because in our country, women working in the media are not looked upon favourably. My first obstacle was my family. When I first told them that I would work in the media, it was as if the sky had fallen on everyone's head. My relationship with many relatives has been broken just because of working in the media.”
“Our society is not yet used to listening to a woman's instructions. Society wants to maintain the dominance of men. In the beginning, I worked in the films of a few male directors. Then I saw that everyone respects a director on the set of a movie. But when I started working as a director, I saw how carefree the crew was. Just because I am a woman, I had to put in extra effort to prove my worth. I think that's why women come less in this profession,” she added.
Despite facing numerous obstacles, she has presented a considerable number of works to the audience to date. Notable among them are the short films “Purushatanko”, “Revolt” and “Charpotro”, which have also won international awards. In 2020 alone, “Revolt” won 9 international awards. Recently, “Revolt” won the ‘Special Jury Award’ at the 'Third Bangladesh Short and Documentary Film Festival 2021' organised by the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
Aparajita Sangita's artistic journey extends beyond filmmaking. In addition, she has made documentaries on the impact of COVID-19 on life and nature, the closure of state-owned jute mills, and the transgender community. Her first solo exhibition titled “Hijras in Bangladesh” was displayed at Chopinchopin in Gent, Belgium. This exhibition was about the daily lives and challenges faced by the hijra community in Bangladesh.
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The talented director is now making the film “Portrait of a Director: Autobiography of Tanvir Mokammel” under the production of Shilpakala Academy. Aparajita confirmed that the shooting of this film is completed and soon the audience will be able to watch it. In addition, her new documentary “Kagojer Phool (Paper Flower)” and full-length feature film “No Woman's Land” are in production.
