Asif Islam and his search for Nirvana | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Tuesday
June 10, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2025
Asif Islam and his search for Nirvana

Splash

Tiana Samreen
19 May, 2024, 10:30 am
Last modified: 19 May, 2024, 10:41 am

Related News

  • 'Conclave' named best film at BAFTAs, 'The Brutalist' also honoured
  • Busan Winner and Bangladesh's Oscar entry 'Boli' heads to European Film Market
  • Curtain rises on 23rd Dhaka International Film Festival
  • Japanese anime industry sales top 3 trillion yen for 1st time
  • 'Jigra' registers Alia Bhatt's worst box office opening in 10 years

Asif Islam and his search for Nirvana

Director Asif Islam, who recently won the Jury Award at the 46th Moscow International Film Festival, talks about his silent, black-and-white film ‘Nirvana’

Tiana Samreen
19 May, 2024, 10:30 am
Last modified: 19 May, 2024, 10:41 am

For some, the love of films is limited to watching blockbusters in large halls with popcorn and overpriced tickets, purely for entertainment. However, cinephiles see cinema as an art form that transcends physical spaces. 

Among these enthusiasts is Asif Islam, a film devotee whose passion extends beyond just watching films to experiencing their depth. He is the director and co-producer of the 85-minute feature film 'Nirvana,' which won the Jury Award at the 46th Moscow International Film Festival last month.
 
'Nirvana' transcends social constructs, exploring themes of hope, acceptance and inner peace. The film follows the intertwined journeys of three individuals as they navigate their inner turmoil, challenge societal norms and embrace their true selves. 

Speaking with Asif, it's clear that the filmmaking experience itself is paramount to him. The filmmaking process was anything but conventional.

"In our country, the filmmaking style is rather conventional, with vibrant colours, catchy dance moves, and loud yet mundane music patterns. As a Bangladeshi filmmaker, it becomes an issue when something unconventional reaches the viewers," Asif recently told The Business Standard. 

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

'Nirvana' was originally intended to be a 'minimum effort' film, as envisioned by Asif and his co-producer Muhammad Anwar Hossain. It was a transformer factory, owned by a family friend of Asif that inspired and kickstarted the proceedings in regards to shooting the film.  

"We initially started shooting at a family friend's factory in Gazipur, where we developed our first character. We aimed for simplicity, but it naturally grew and took shape," said Asif.

Sketch: TBS
Sketch: TBS

Owing to noise levels from the factory, the shooting conditions were not ideal. That in turn, led the 85 minutes-long movie to adopt its silent nature.

The cast features Fatema Tuz Zohra Eva as a mother who lost her child, Priyam Archi as a girl betrayed in love and Imran Mahatir as a homosexual character. "They all silently explore their deeper struggles, both with themselves and with reality. That's how I see it," Asif explained.

Asif emphasised that the film's organic development means its storyline will always differ in perspective. "The way I see 'Nirvana' won't be the same as how someone else sees it, and that's the beauty of the film—its experience," he said.
 
'Nirvana' became a part of the 11 movies that visited Moscow from 19 to 26 April this year. 10 other films were from various countries, including Russia, Germany, Iran and Romania.
 
When asked about the award, Asif expressed his joy over the positive responses from both the jury and the audience. "The jury themselves said that the visuals were outstanding," he shared.

Asif recounted a special moment when a young Russian girl approached him for a photograph after a full-house show. "I was especially thrilled when a 17-year-old girl, who claimed to be a film critic, ran to take a picture with me and shared her plans to pursue film history at university next year," he said.

"Such feedback made me very happy," he added.
 
The film's limited budget required creative choices. Even though Asif and his co-producer planned for a colour film, maintaining a specific palette was beyond their financial limitations.

Throughout the conversation, one point was clear: making a film doesn't require a lot of money or a large crew. "You can make a film with the most basic and minimal resources; 'Nirvana' is proof," Asif said. 

"The main intention was to keep it quiet, like a meditative getaway where you can escape the reality of Dhaka, away from its loud and buzzing nature."
 
Speaking of "quiet," Asif finds it challenging to explain the nuances of his film to some parties.

"I've been asked many times when I'll release the music for my movie, but it's tough to explain that 'Nirvana' is a silent, black-and-white film. It doesn't have any music," Asif explained.

'Nirvana' is expected to be screened at festivals in Morocco, Spain, London, and India. Asif hopes for selection at the Rotterdam Film Festival but is cautious about a commercial release in Bangladesh due to concerns about getting clearance from the censorship board due to the film's LGBTQ themes.

Apart from being an independent filmmaker, Asif has also appeared in advertisements over the years. He earned his master's degree in audio-visual production and has experience in graphics design and animation.

 

Film / Nirvana / Asif Islam

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Right-wing Knesset members Itamar Ben-Gvir (Left) and Bezalel Smotrich, Jerusalem, September 2022. File Photo: REUTERS/Amir Cohen/Pool
    UK sanctions far-right Israeli ministers over comments on Gaza
  • BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir speaks to reporters at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office on 10 June 2025. Photo: Focus Bangla
    Fakhrul urges interim govt to rethink April election timing
  • A passerby walks near a building on fire at the site of a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 10, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
    Russia launches one of war's largest air attacks on Kyiv

MOST VIEWED

  • On left, Abdullah Hil Rakib, former senior vice president (SVP) of BGMEA and additional managing director of Team Group; on right, Captain Md Saifuzzaman (Guddu), a Boeing 787 Dreamliner pilot for Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Photos: Collected
    Ex-BGMEA SVP Abdullah Hil Rakib, Biman 787 pilot Saifuzzaman drown in boating accident in Canada
  • File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar
    Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do
  • Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus leaves for a four-day visit to the United Kingdom from the Dhaka airport on 9 June 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    CA Yunus leaves for UK; discussion expected on renewable energy investment, laundered money
  • File Photo: Collected
    Enhanced surveillance at Ctg airport amid rising global Covid-19 cases
  • Inside the aid ship stormed by Israeli forces on 9 June 2025. Photo: BBC
    Israeli forces stormed aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg bound for Gaza: Freedom Flotilla Coalition
  • Photos: Collected
    Abdul Hamid wasn't arrested because he's not wanted right now: Home adviser

Related News

  • 'Conclave' named best film at BAFTAs, 'The Brutalist' also honoured
  • Busan Winner and Bangladesh's Oscar entry 'Boli' heads to European Film Market
  • Curtain rises on 23rd Dhaka International Film Festival
  • Japanese anime industry sales top 3 trillion yen for 1st time
  • 'Jigra' registers Alia Bhatt's worst box office opening in 10 years

Features

Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS

Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon

25m | Features
File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar

Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do

1d | Features
Photo collage shows political posters in Bagerhat. Photos: Jannatul Naym Pieal

From Sheikh Dynasty to sibling rivalry: Bagerhat signals a turning tide in local politics

3d | Bangladesh
Illustration: TBS

Unbearable weight of the white coat: The mental health crisis in our medical colleges

6d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Greta Thunberg deported from Israel

Greta Thunberg deported from Israel

2h | TBS World
BNP is not a revolutionary party: Mirza Fakhrul

BNP is not a revolutionary party: Mirza Fakhrul

3h | TBS Today
News of The Day, 10 JUNE 2025

News of The Day, 10 JUNE 2025

1h | TBS News of the day
Trump sends 2,000 more National Guard and 700 Marines to Los Angeles

Trump sends 2,000 more National Guard and 700 Marines to Los Angeles

3h | TBS World
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net