Dhaka: Renowned Indian film director and screenwriter Shyam Benegal paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganobhaban on Wednesday.

While briefing reporters after the meeting, PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said the Prime Minister and the Indian film director discussed various aspects of the preparations for the biopic to be made on Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, reports the UNB.

Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, PM’s International Affairs Adviser Dr Gower Rizvi, Sheikh Rehana’s son Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, PMO Secretary Sajjadul Hassan, Information Secretary Abdul Malek, Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Riva Ganguly Das and renowned actors Pijush Bandopadhay and Alamgir were present, among others.

The film based on Bangabandhu’s biography will be made under the joint production of the governments of Bangladesh and India. 

Shyam Benegal will direct the joint-venture biopic.

Earlier in 2017, the two countries signed an agreement to produce the film on Bangabandhu and a documentary on the Liberation War. 

The film on Bangabandhu is slated to be released by March 17, 2021 to mark his birth centenary.

Work on the biopic on Bangabandhu will complete before the end of the ‘Mujib Year 2020-21’.

A 19-member committee has been formed with noted persons of Bangladesh and India for making the biopic. Additional Secretary of the Information Ministry Ajharul Haque is leading the Bangladesh side in the committee.