Jongli’s ride from local hit to global force
Producer Zahid Hasan Abhi shares the story behind ‘Jongli’— from the creative decisions that drove its success to how the dedication of local talent is now earning recognition across languages and cultures
'Jongli' has not quite left headlines ever since it hit theatres. A star-studded cast, a gripping storyline, with enough drama to keep you on the edge of your seat–what's not to love?
The success of 'Jongli' did not go unnoticed by international filmmakers either. Producers from the South Indian Malayalam and Telugu film industries became interested in creating a remake of the film, which is why they reached out to Zahid Hasan Abhi, owner of Tiger Media and producer of 'Jongli'. As 'Jongli' gears up to cross borders, it has re-entered the spotlight.
Following the success of the film, producer Zahid Hasan Abhi sat down with us to share the story behind 'Jongli'— from the creative decisions that drove its success to how the dedication of local talent is now earning recognition across languages and cultures.
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"If audiences spend their time and money to go to the theatre but leave unentertained, the film cannot be considered successful. I believe that before selecting actors, the priority must be the story. A strong story is one of the key elements of a successful film."
With stars such as Siam Ahmed and Shobnom Bubly, and directed by M Rahim, the film was made for success. However, what stuck with viewers the most was its emotional yet original story revolving around the bond between a father and his child, with the backdrop of a rural setting.
The South Indian film industry had, in fact, been eyeing the film since it was in its post-production phase in India, before it was even released.
Soon after its debut in Bangladesh, great news came to producer Zahid Hasan Abhi–the Malayalam and Telugu film industries formally approached Tiger Media with their request to create a remake of the movie.
Recognising the gravity of this international achievement, producer Abhi moved forward with them, but with caution.
"Recently, 'Jongli' has been dubbed into English and has now been sent to South India. They will first review the story in their own way, align it with their plans, and then send back a proposal to us. If we like their approach, we will give final approval. Until then, nothing is certain.
However, the fact that a remake process has started in the South Indian film industry is already a significant achievement," shared Abhi.
The film's success has left audiences wanting more, with social media abuzz with calls for a sequel. But for now, Abhi cannot promise a sequel for 'Jongli'.
"Right now, we are not thinking about a sequel. For the next few months, we will be busy with the film's ongoing movement, business, and international journey. There's also work left on dubbing it into various languages," shared Abhi.
According to Abhi, the film's captivating story and proper planning laid the groundwork for its commercial success. Every decision, from casting to filming, was crucial for the film.
"My father is also a producer. He always says that any film can become a hit with good planning, and I took that advice seriously. I closely monitored every aspect of the film's development to ensure 'Jongli' would be an enjoyable experience."
Furthermore, according to Zahid Hasan Abhi, if the film industry is to thrive, experts must prioritise strong storytelling.
"If audiences spend their time and money to go to the theatre but leave unentertained, the film cannot be considered successful. I believe that before selecting actors, the priority must be the story. A strong story is one of the key elements of a successful film," reflected the producer.
However, one of the biggest conflicts of good stories is the cost of bringing them to the big screen. This has pushed many producers to become profit-oriented, turning good stories into cash grabs. However, Abhi believes in balance.
"A key issue is considering how many producers genuinely work with the film's interest in mind. In reality, when there's investment, profit and loss naturally come into play. If one balances business with artistry, things usually fall into place. But if the only concern is profit, then you can't always expect good results," concluded Abhi.
