Mostafa Kamal Raz: Transforming human stories into viral hits

For filmmakers, Eid is the prime time to release content. Like every year, people took the opportunity to wind down during the festivities to watch the countless special dramas and films released across television, cinema halls, and even YouTube channels. 

Among these releases was a film released on YouTube that became a fan-favourite: Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Raz's 'Tomader Golpo'.  

The story struck a chord with audiences, sparking a wave of viral clips across social media. 

The film tells the story of the strong bonds of a joint family, bringing back the nostalgia of '80s and '90s family relationships. The story follows a young man named Ratul from the city who travels to his village to celebrate Eid with his family. 

Farhan Ahmed Jovan, in the role of Ratul, captivated audiences with his compelling performance and undeniable chemistry with Tanzim Saiyara Totini, who portrayed Tuli.

Alongside Jovan and Totini, the film also starred Dilara Zaman, Saberi Alam, Monira Akter Mithu, Nader Chowdhury, and more.

However, Director Mostafa Kamal Raz is no stranger to success, especially when it comes to the countless dramas and films he has released. However, 'Tomader Golpo',  released under Cinemawala's YouTube channel, stood out as it trended on YouTube during Eid and has now garnered about 12 million views. 

Providing insight into the creative process behind one of the top trending films on YouTube this Eid, director Raz speaks about his inspiration and his drive to tell relatable human stories.

The director is thrilled by the overwhelming success of the film. In response to the success, he shared, "As a director, I am overjoyed by the level of success and love received for 'Tomader Golpo'. I had high hopes for this film, but the audience's response has far exceeded my expectations. I am truly grateful for all the praise I've received from so many people."

Creating this film involved a well-planned process, including location scouting, investment, and careful casting. When asked about his expectations for its success during production, he said, "I always think about the audience when I start working. After completing the film, I believed the story had the potential to touch people's hearts. But the love and success it has received after release are truly beyond what I imagined."

In 2021, Mostafa Kamal Raz directed a family drama series called 'Family Crisis', which aired on NTV and also became a top-rated show. Much like his recent hit, the series centres around the antics of a joint family, with conflicts that ultimately find resolution through the unwavering support of its members.

When asked if the success of that series inspired 'Tomader Golpo', he said, "I enjoy working on family-centred stories because, at the end of the day, family is everything. And people love watching family-oriented content. With that in mind, I went from making 'Family Crisis' to creating Tomader Golpo."

Despite audiences' preference for family stories, such themes have become scarce in recent releases. Many believe that this is because actors influence story selection while other times, producers interfere with storylines to cut budgets.

"I don't know what other producers do, but I don't compromise. I cast whoever fits the story. 'Tomader Golpo' is a perfect example of this," shared director Raz.

People watch dramas hoping to see a reflection of society. They expect to see family values, cultural elements, and messages about social development. It's crucial to preserve these ideas when creating drama narratives. However, there is no specific body overseeing story selection. 

"Nowadays, if the story is good, it will win hearts. While view counts depend on many things, about 90% of it is based on the story. If we want to give viewers quality content, choosing the right story is essential. Having a regulatory body to oversee this wouldn't be a bad idea."

Some conscious viewers claim that the downfall of dramas began after they started being released on YouTube and social media—because, unlike TV channels, there's no committee to vet or approve the releases.

"In my opinion, YouTube and social media are great platforms for quality storytelling. Through these platforms, good stories and well-made dramas are reaching audiences worldwide," shared director Raz. 

He concluded, "Bangladeshi dramas and films have gained popularity worldwide because of it. Yes, some creators indeed devalue good content by misusing these platforms. But I believe if we all focus on making good stories and quality productions, these very platforms could be the key to Bangladeshi drama's success."