‘Rehana Maryam Noor’ heads to theatres Nov 12

Director Abdullah Mohammad Saad’s much-talked-about film ‘Rehana Maryam Noor’ featuring Azmeri Haque Badhon in the central role is set for theatrical release on November 12, around four months after it’s screening at the 74th Cannes Film Festival’s prestigious ‘Un Certain Regard’.

Makers of the film came up with the announcement while celebrating Badhon’s birthday on Thursday night.

Along with Badhon, the ensemble cast of ‘Rehana Maryam Noor’ includes Saberi Alam, Afia Zahin, Kazi Sami Hasan, Afia Tabassum and Yasir Al Haque.

‘Rehana Maryam Noor’ is scripted, edited and directed by Abdullah Mohammad Saad. It is the first Bangladeshi film to be featured in ‘Un Certain Regard’ section of Cannes. The story of the film revolves around ‘Rehana’, an assistant professor at a private medical college, played by Badhon.

Following the screening in Cannes on July 7, ‘Rehana Maryam Noor’ was also screened in Melbourne International Film Festival in August.

Meanwhile, ‘Rehana Maryam Noor’ has made its entry into the race for the Oscars as Bangladesh’s submission in the ‘Best International Feature Film Category’.

Having bagged various accolades, ‘Rehana Maryam Noor’ has secured the nomination at Hong Kong Asian Film Festival in the New Talent Award section and also brought Badhon nomination for ‘Best Performance by an Actress’ award in the 14th Asia-Pacific Screen Awards for her portrayal of the character ‘Rehana’.

As for Badhon, the actress on Thursday returned home after completing the first schedule shooting for her debut film in Bollywood ‘Khufiya’, directed by renowned Bollywood filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj. It will also mark Badhon’s debut in streaming giant Netflix as well.

She went to Delhi on October 10 and started shooting for ‘Khufiya’ from the next day.

‘Khufiya’ is an adaptation of the popular espionage novel ‘Escape to Nowhere’ by Amar Bhushan of India, featuring Badhon, Tabu, Ali Fazal, Ashish Vidyarthi and Wamiqa Gabbi, among others.

The film is both directed and produced by Vishal Bhardwaj under the banner of his Vishal Bhardwaj Films.