Amitabh Reza Chowdhury’s ‘Rickshaw Girl’: The persistence of a passionate storyteller

Amitabh Reza Chowdhury is a true storyteller at heart. With his thick, round-rimmed glasses and his soft demeanour, contrasted by his hyper body language, he seems like someone taken right out of a storybook. 

And like any storyteller, Amitabh wants his creativity to reach as many people as possible. 

So, when his film 'Rickshaw Girl' (2021) was on the cusp of its release in 2020, only to be held back by the Covid-19 pandemic, we can only imagine his disappointment. But the reality is quite the opposite.

In a TED talk last year, the director shared his takeaways from the book 'Lust for Life' by Irving Stone, which inspired him.

"Do anything passionately, do it like you're crazy, do it with impatience, and see it to the end. It doesn't matter if it doesn't give you anything in return, just keep working," said Amitabh with vigour.

True to his own words, after giving the 'Rickshaw Girl' his heart, he has seen it through to the end. It will finally be released in theatres on 24 January 2025, this Friday. 

With fans getting ready to watch 'Rickshaw Girl' for the first time in theatres, Amitabh Reza Chowdhury shares his hopes for the film, his new projects, and his vision for the unstable entertainment industry. 

The movie is based on a novel by American author Mitali Perkins. The story revolves around Naima, a creative girl who loves painting. When her family's sole breadwinner — her father — falls ill, she is forced to fight against the tide. She takes a rickshaw out onto the streets, and her story unfolds.

"'Aynabaji' was a commercial film. I made 'Rickshaw Girl' the way its story demanded. There is no attempt to add surprises or glamour. A filmmaker has to make all kinds of films."

Amitabh Reza Chowdhury, Director

Novera Rahman plays the central character of 'Rickshaw Girl'. Other cast members include Champa, Momena Chowdhury, Naresh Bhuiyan, and Allen Shubho, among others. The screenplay is written by Nasif Farooq Amin and Sharbari Johra Ahmed. Jointly produced by Bangladesh and the United States, the film is co-produced by Ziauddin Adil, Faridur Reza Sagar, and Eric J Adams.  

Can he live up to his own legacy? 

In 2016 Amitabh captivated audiences with his hit film, 'Aynabaji'.

The film even garnered seven awards at the Bangladesh National Film Awards that year. Now, viewers look forward to watching anything Amitabh has used his magic on. 

However, Amitabh hopes people look at the two films separately. 

"'Aynabaji' was a commercial film. I made 'Rickshaw Girl' the way its story demanded. There is no attempt to add surprises or glamour. A filmmaker has to make all kinds of films, and I've explored genres before through titles such as 'Munshigiri' and 'Bodh'."  

Amitabh is thrilled about the movie's theatrical release and eagerly anticipates the audience's response.

"Since it is a film made for the youth, I hope children and parents will come with their little ones to enjoy it. My only expectation is that they find it entertaining," he shared.  

And Amitabh's film does show promise.

Although 'Rickshaw Girl' did not make its way to Bangladesh immediately, it was screened in 52 cities across 18 states in the US. It also won the SLM Top Award at the 26th SCHLINGEL International Film Festival (2021) in Germany, among many others.

"The more viewers a film gets, the better it is for the film. One of the co-producers is American. So, he showcased the movie at various festivals and venues globally," Amitabh shared.  

Challenges of the industry

Many prominent directors in Bangladesh struggle to maintain consistency due to a lack of producers or budget constraints. What can be done to ensure consistent work for skilled filmmakers?  

Amitabh suggested, "The industry should adopt a studio system. Additionally, government incentives can help. Without such support, it's hard for anyone to sustain themselves in this field."  

Despite the development of the film industry being discussed on social media and among committees, cinema halls are slowly disappearing.

Amitabh noted, "Cinema halls are declining worldwide and many people have switched to streaming platforms. In Bangladesh, film production and distribution are still very weak and I don't think any government has been particularly attentive to cinema."  

The director also shared that 'Rickshaw Girl' will be available on OTT platforms soon.