Mujib: The Making Of Nation Movie Review: An engaging and informative portrayal of a significant historical figure

Review: "Mujib: The Making of a Nation" is a biopic that delves into the life and times of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first President of Bangladesh. Directed by Shyam Benegal, the film portrays the journey of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, from his early exposure to politics in the presence of notable figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Fazlul Haque, and Suhrawardy to his rise against the government, the fight against the imposition of Urdu, the formulation of a six-point program, and his role in the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971.

The film is praised for maintaining a steady pace and weaving anecdotes from Mujib's life into the narrative. It is also credited for presenting historical speeches in Mujib's authoritative style, which adds authenticity to the character.

Arifin Shuvoo's portrayal of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is commended for capturing his mannerisms and appearance effectively. Nusrat Imrose Tisha's performance as Mujib's wife, Renu, is commanding and well-matched with Arifin's Mujib. In other roles, Chanchal Chowdhury, Riaz, Raisul Islam Asad, and Shahidul Alam Sachchu have all done justice to their roles. In a small but crucial role, Rajit Kapur (Zulfikar Ali Bhutto) makes a strong impact. A word here for the prosthetics and period details and styling that make these characters look believable.

The cinematography is appreciated for its portrayal of the natural beauty of Bangladesh. However, the film's use of VFX, green screen, and special effects does not meet expectations, especially in depicting key moments like airstrikes and their consequences.

 Crucial details about the liberation war and its human cost are missing - one does not know if it is deliberate. But the use of a voiceover to simply talk about the devastation, the slaughtering and how the nation rises from its ashes, does not have the required impact. The problem is also with the length of the film. At nearly three hours, it may not appeal to audiences who expect to pay and watch this biopic in the theatres.

Music by Shantanu Moitra draws from the rich folk roots of Bengal and Ki Ki Jinish Enecho Dulal (Banna in Hindi), Ochin Majhi (Abujh Majhi in Hindi) and Sajo Sundari Koinya (Sundar Sajaniya in Hindi) are all quite hummable.

Shyam Benegal is recognized for introducing the audience to the personal side of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, portraying him as a family man and humanitarian, despite the limited scope for character development beyond Mujib and his immediate family.

Overall, "Mujib: The Making of a Nation" offers an engaging and informative portrayal of a significant historical figure in the context of Bangladesh's independence and nation-building.