Operation Sundarbans

The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world, located in the southern part of Bangladesh. People of different trades in the region depend on this vast forest life. The pirates have persecuted these people for more than 40 years. People are not protected from the pirates of the Sundarbans which not only includes variety of species but also Royal Bengal Tiger.

In such a situation, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General assigns the responsibility of the Sundarbans from the pirates to the RAB-7 commanding officer Ishtiaqe Ahmed. Ahmed launches an operation to make Sundarbans free of pirates with the help of commander of RAB Crime Prevention Unit (CPC)-1, Lieutenant Rishan (Ziaul Roshan) and the commander of newly formed Sundarbans Squad, Major Sayem (Siam Ahmed). Simultaneously, researcher Tania Kabir (Nusraat Faria) arrives in Sundarbans to do research on the tigers in the forest.

After the end of pirates episode, the team realizes that these bandits in the Sundarbans are just chess pieces. A disguised evil force is moving the wheels from behind. The team continues their fight against the mysterious forces at play.

{{cast listing|

• Riaz Ahmed as Ishtiaqe Ahmed, Battalion Commander and Circle officer.{{Cite news|url=https://www.daily-sun.com/post/443123/Actor-Riaz-passing-leisure-time-|title=Actor Riaz passing leisure time|date=2019-12-01|work=Daily Sun|language=en|access-date=2020-03-16}}
• Siam Ahmed as Major Sayem Sadat. One of the high officials from RAB.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/showbiz/deshi-grapevine/news/siam-sundarban-1845997|title=Siam in Sundarban|date=2019-12-28|work=The Daily Star|language=en|access-date=2020-03-16}}
• Nusraat Faria{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/showbiz/deshi-grapevine/news/nusraat-faria-web-1877515|title=Nusraat Faria on web|date=2020-03-07|work=The Daily Star|language=en|access-date=2020-03-09}} as Tania Kabir, a tiger researcher.
• Ziaul Roshan as Lieutenant Commander Rishan.
• Darshana Banik as Dr. Aditi
• Raisul Islam Asad as Amjad Chowdhury
• Manos Bandyopadhyay as Director General of RAB
• Monir Khan Shimul as Additional Director General (OPS) of RAB operations
• Shatabdi Wadud as Mana
• Arman Parvez Murad as Habib Reza
• Rawnak Hasan as Palash
• Taskeen Rahman as Rakib
• Manoj Pramanik as Shaju
• Naresh Bhuiyan as Akkas
• Kazi Uzzal as Samad Master
• Tuya Chakraborty as Papri
• Ehsanur Rahman as Gozal
• Deepu Imam as Tie Harun
• Vaidyanatha as Lokman Majhi
• Khairul Alam Tipu as DAD Osman
• Nazim Hamid as Captain Asad
• Samina Bashar as Pakhi
• Shakila as Sumi
• Dukhu Sumon as Sumon
• Ratan Dev as Jalil
• Tuhin Tanzil as ASP Kayes
• Pranab Ghosh as Bachchu
• Raj as Ratul
• Rafi as Adnan
• Miskatul Jemin as Zara
• Nayeem Abir as Nayeem
• Arfan Shah Babu as Lalu
• Gopal Karmokar as Rakesh Shaha
• Masud Ahmed as Monir
• Md. Jahangir Alam as Selim

}}

{{quote box

| quote = Even a few years ago, the forest was full of pirates, and as a result, the Sundarbans was a place feared by the ordinary people. Local Fishermen and honey extractors could not earn their livelihoods. These pirates and robbers are nowhere to be found now. Our RAB, and their operations in that region,... The film will be based on those operations.

| source = —Dipankar Dipon to Dhaka Tribune{{Cite news |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/showtime/2019/06/15/dipankar-dipon-to-make-a-film-on-rab|title=Dipankar Dipon to make film on RAB|date=2019-06-15|work=Dhaka Tribune|access-date=2020-03-09}}

| align = right

| width = 34%

}}

In April 2018, major producer of this film RAB welfare cooperative pitched the idea to Dipon for developing the script for a film based on RAB's operation for uprooting the robbers of Sunderbans.{{Cite news|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/entertainment/article/1621998/%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE|script-title=bn:জলদস্যুদের সামনে সিনেমার শিল্পীরা|work=Prothom Alo|date=8 December 2019 |language=bn|access-date=2020-03-09}} Therefore, Dipon randomly went to Sunderbans to study the scope of this film as well did researches on Mangrove forest. After research, Dipon himself along with Nazim-ud-Doula and research team RDT prepared the screenplay.{{Cite news|url=https://www.channelionline.com/%e0%a6%a8%e0%a7%81%e0%a6%b8%e0%a6%b0%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%a4-%e0%a6%ab%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%b0%e0%a6%bf%e0%a7%9f%e0%a6%be-%e0%a6%8f%e0%a6%ac%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%b0-%e0%a6%ac%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%98-%e0%a6%97%e0%a6%ac/|script-title=bn:নুসরাত ফারিয়া এবার বাঘ গবেষক!|date=2019-11-01|work=Channel i|language=bn|access-date=2020-03-09|archive-date=2020-04-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408102429/https://www.channelionline.com/%e0%a6%a8%e0%a7%81%e0%a6%b8%e0%a6%b0%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%a4-%e0%a6%ab%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%b0%e0%a6%bf%e0%a7%9f%e0%a6%be-%e0%a6%8f%e0%a6%ac%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%b0-%e0%a6%ac%e0%a6%be%e0%a6%98-%e0%a6%97%e0%a6%ac/|url-status=dead}} On 14 June 2019 Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo wrote that RAB Welfare cooperative was to finance 4 Crore (40 million) Taka for this film production. The film was officially announced on 13 June 2019 by the both production houses.

Dipon kept the casting of these film in secret, later the cast was introduced on 1 November 2019 at an event held at Bagerhat Sheikh Helal Uddin Stadium for celebrating first year of robber-free Sunderban. Riaz, Nusraat, Roshan, Siam, Manoj Pramanik, Samina and Manoj Mitra made the primary cast list. Additionally Sheikh Ehsanur Rahman, Shatabdi Wadud, Manoj Mitro, and Tuya Chakraborthy have been cast in undisclosed roles. About hundred actors work in supporting roles including thirty members from RAB in non credited roles.{{Cite news|url=https://www.prothomalo.com/entertainment/article/1645064/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B7-%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9F|script-title=bn:সুন্দরবনে শেষ, এবার ঢাকায় (Shooting finished at Sunderbans, next is Dhaka)|date=2020-03-16|work=Prothom Alo|language=bn|access-date=2020-03-16}} Riaz, Nusraat, Roshan, Siam, Monoj Pramanik, Samina and Manoj Mitra made the primary cast list. Later few other actors like Sheikh Ehsanur Rahman, Dipu Imam, Shatabdi and Darshana confirmed their casting. Riaz, Roshan and Siam received special training from RAB before cast their roles.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bangladeshpost.net/posts/riaz-siam-and-roshan-busy-in-satkhira-20633|title=Riaz-Siam and Roshan busy in Satkhira|website=bangladeshpost.net|language=en|access-date=2020-03-09}} Actors also underwent pre-shoot grooming and rehearsals before principal photography has begun.

Mandar char, Bangabandhu char, Patnir char, Katkar char of greater Sunderbans forest was selected for primary shooting. Most of the outdoor shooting has taken places at Dublar Char, Alor Kol er Char, Kaalir Char, Meher Alir Char, Lakshmir Char and Hiron Point inside the deep forest of Sunderbans. Few indoor shoots taken from Bangladesh Film Development Corporation and various RAB facilitates in Dhaka and Gazipur.

Other the film songs, It took thirty six days to shoot the entire script. First phase of shooting has been started on 20 December 2019 at Buri Goalini, Chunkuri, Harinagar area near Sunderbans in Satkhira, was later for 16 days till 31 December 2019.{{Cite news |url=https://unb.com.bd/category/Entertainment/shooting-of-operation-sundarbans-begins/38798|title=Shooting of 'Operation Sundarbans' begins|date=2019-12-20|work=UNB|access-date=2020-03-09}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.theindependentbd.com/home/printnews/228915|title=Shooting of 'Operation Sundarbans' begins|date=2019-12-22|work=The Independent |location=Dhaka |access-date=2020-03-16}}{{Cite news |url=https://ogronews.com/operation-sundarban-trailer-out-siam-ahmed-starrer-move-will-be-released-soon/|title=Operation Sundarban Trailer Out|date=2022-07-29|work=Ogro News|access-date=2022-07-29}} Second phase of shooting starts from 13 February 2020, and stretched out up to 13 March 2020. Second phase shooting took places at the Bay of Bengal coast lines and Jamtala area and concluded on 11 March 2020.

{{Infobox album

| name = Operation Sunderbans

| type = Soundtrack

| artist = Bappa Mazumder, Habib Wahid, Nandita, Imran Mahmudul, Dilshad Nahar Kona

| cover =

|producer = Amlan Chakraborty

| alt =

| released = 2022

| recorded =

| venue =

| studio =

| genre = Film music

| length =

| language = Bengali

| label =

| misc =

}}

{{track listing

| headline = Operation Sunderbans Soundtrack – Track listing

| extra_column = Singers

| total_length =

| title1 = E Mon Vije Jay

| extra1 = Bappa Mazumder

| length1 = 3:21

| lyrics1 = Godhuli Sharma

| title2 = Ovimani Roddure

| extra2 = Habib Wahid and Nandita

| length2 = 4:15

| lyrics2 = Sanjukta Saha Mishu

| title3 = Taw Hawate

| extra3 = Imran Mahmudul and Dilshad Nahar Kona

| length3 = 3:31

| lyrics3 = SK Dip

}}

For marketing purposes, the film's production company used posters drawn by the country's classic film poster painter Bidesh Kumar Dhar.{{cite news |url=https://www.channelionline.com/operation-sundarbans-brings-back-the-tradition-of-hand-painted-posters/|script-title=bn:হাতে আঁকা পোস্টারের ঐতিহ্য ফিরিয়ে আনছে 'অপারেশন সুন্দরবন'|language=bn|date=17 September 2022|access-date=15 October 2022|work=Channel i}}

On the day of the film's premiere, an assistant director, Tanin Khan, complained against the production team for not clearing his fee. He also accused the director of misbehaving with him. Responding to the complaint of Khan, director Dipon said that his dues were not explained for the non-completion of the project. The director also accused Khan of negligence in work and leaving without completing the second lot of the filming.{{cite news|url=https://www.banglatribune.com/entertainment/764371/%E2%80%98%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A8%E2%80%99-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%80-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%95|script-title=bn:'অপারেশন সুন্দরবন' নিয়ে সহকারী পরিচালকের বিস্ফোরক অভিযোগ|language=bn|first=Sudhamay|last=Sarker|date=21 September 2022|access-date=15 October 2022|work=Bangla Tribune}}

Its actual release date was 1 August 2020, but was postponed for COVID-19 epidemic. Later the date was changed to 21 July 2021 but wasn't released on that date. After the release of the official trailer on 29 July, the release date of the film was finalised to 23 September 2022.{{cite news |url=https://unb.com.bd/m/category/Entertainment/operation-sundarban-to-hit-the-theatres-on-september-23/97856 |title='Operation Sunderban' to hit the theatres on September 23 |date=30 July 2022 |access-date=10 August 2022 |work=UNB}} The film received clearance from the Bangladesh Film Censor Board on September 11.{{cite news |url=https://www.banglanews24.com/entertainment/news/bd/956805.details |script-title=bn:মুক্তির অনুমতি পেল 'অপারেশন সুন্দরবন' |language=bn |date=12 September 2022 |access-date=12 September 2022 |work=Banglanews24.com}} It was premiered in Star Cineplex, Bashundhara City on 20 September 2022.{{cite news |url=https://bangla.thedailystar.net/entertainment/tv-movies/news-395881 |script-title=bn:সিনেপ্লেক্সে 'অপারেশন সুন্দরবন' সিনেমার প্রিমিয়ার |language=bn |date=21 September 2022 |access-date=15 October 2022 |newspaper=The Daily Star}} The film was scheduled to be released in 35 cinemas.{{cite news |url=https://bangla.bdnews24.com/glitz/jox764dh26 |script-title=bn:অপারেশন সুন্দরবন ৩৫ সিনেমা হলে, বিউটি সার্কাস ১৯টিতে |date=22 September 2022 |access-date=23 September 2022 |work=Bdnews24.com |language=bn}} The number of cinemas showing the film increased by 10 in the second week of its release.{{cite news |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/entertainment/dhallywood/x5n004i8ou |script-title=bn:দ্বিতীয় সপ্তাহে যেসব হলে 'অপারেশন সুন্দরবন' |date=30 September 2022 |access-date=1 October 2022 |newspaper=Prothom Alo |language=bn}} It was released in Sydney on 7 October 2022.{{cite news |url=https://www.ittefaq.com.bd/615494/%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9F%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BF%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9F-%E2%80%98%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A8%E2%80%99 |script-title=bn:অস্ট্রেলিয়ায় 'অপারেশন সুন্দরবন' |language=bn |date=4 October 2022 |access-date=15 October 2022 |newspaper=Ittefaq}}

The Daily Star called Operation Sundarbans an enjoyable film.{{cite news|url=https://bangla.thedailystar.net/star-multimedia/news-399046|script-title=bn:অপারেশন সুন্দরবন: উপভোগ্য সিনেমা|language=bn|date=30 September 2022|access-date=1 October 2022|newspaper=The Daily Star}} MW Bangladesh Praised Operation Sundarbans by saying that it 'exceed the expections' giving The movie an A Grade Rating.{{Cite web |last=fatema |first=tarin |date=2022-11-08 |title=Operation Sundarbans: A Review |url=https://mansworldbangladesh.com/2022/11/08/operation-sundarbans-a-review/ |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=MW |language=en-US}}

Deepu Imam won the National Film Award 2022 award in the Comedian category for Operation Sundarbans. {{Cite news |title=National Film Award 2022 announced |url=https://www.newagebd.net/article/216440/national-film-award-2022-announced |access-date=2023-12-01 |work=New Age |language=en}} Bappa Mazumder got Best Singer awards in the male category in the National Film Award 2022 award. Khokon Mollah got awards in the Best Make-up Man category.

{{Reflist}}

{{Portal|Bangladesh|Film }}

• {{official website}}
• {{IMDb title}}

{{Dipankar Dipon}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Operation Sundarbans}}

Category:2022 films

Category:2020s Bengali-language films

Category:Bengali-language Bangladeshi films

Category:Sundarbans

Category:Fiction about law enforcement

Category:Bangladeshi action thriller films

Category:Bangladeshi action films

Category:Action films based on actual events

Category:Films shot in Khulna

Category:Bangladeshi films based on actual events

Category:Salary controversies in film

Category:Films postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Category:Films directed by Dipankar Dipon