Eid-ul-Adha this year brought more than just celebrations—it brought Utshob, a cinematic experience that transcends traditional storytelling. Directed by Tanim Noor, the film is a deeply emotional, culturally rooted narrative that explores the complexities of urban middle-class life in Bangladesh. From love and loss to family and forgiveness, Utshob is as personal as it is universal.
At the center of the story is Jahangir, portrayed with layered subtlety by Zahid Hasan. He’s a man many in our society will recognize—stoic, emotionally distant, quietly shattered by years of internalized pain. But when a family gathering during a festival forces him to confront his past and his emotional isolation, Jahangir finds himself at a crossroads. The transformation that follows is quietly powerful and deeply moving.
Chanchal Chowdhury, Jaya Ahsan, and Aupee Karim round out the ensemble with magnetic performances, each contributing to the film’s grounded authenticity. Their chemistry, rooted in unspoken family dynamics and generational tensions, gives Utshob its emotional heartbeat.
Set against the vibrant yet chaotic backdrop of Mohammadpur, the film captures the essence of Dhaka not just as a setting, but as a character in itself. Local traditions, linguistic textures, and urban rituals are not used as decoration—they are the very fabric of the story.
But it’s not just the acting and storytelling that shine—Utshob’s soundtrack deserves its own standing ovation. Songs like “Level Five-er Tumi” and “Dhushor Shomoy” perfectly reflect the mood and mindscape of a new generation. It’s rare for a film to blend lyrical emotion with modern sensibility so seamlessly, and yet Utshob achieves it with style and soul.
More than just a film, Utshob is a mirror—held up to our society, our families, and our fractured selves. It invites the audience not just to observe, but to feel, to remember, and perhaps, to heal. Its message is simple yet profound: sometimes, the greatest festivals are the ones we celebrate within.
Now showing in Dhaka’s major cineplexes, Utshob is being hailed as one of the boldest and most heartfelt Bangladeshi films in recent years. Film critics and cultural analysts note that it’s helping shift urban, upper-class audiences back toward the big screen—offering them not escapism, but emotional realism.
Written by: Mahazabin Prity