Kolkata: Bangladeshi director Rezwan Shahriar Sumit, whose political thriller ‘Master’ won big at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2026 despite having faced “political persecution” during its making at home, is hoping that the newly-elected government will actively build bridges with various neighbours, including India. Sumit, whose political thriller ‘Master’ won the Big Screen Award in the festival’s prestigious Big Screen Competition section at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2026, had had told TOI last year that he had faced “political persecution” in the form of “lawsuits, attacks, threats, and fabricated labels” turning his life into a “political thriller”. At Rotterdam, “Master” was up against well-established directors like Isabel Sandoval, Ivo M. Ferreira, and Malek Bensmaïl. “In the context of Bangladeshi cinema, the win at Rotterdam feels like a real breakthrough. The section also featured A-list acting talent such as Renate Reinsve (‘Sentimental Value’, currently Oscar nominated), Peter Mullan (‘The Magdalene Sisters’), and Claes Bang (‘The Square’). To rise to the top and fly the Bangladeshi flag on such a prestigious global stage was truly magical. Unlike our peers, who were backed by major studios, distributors, and funding bodies, we were as ‘indie’ as it gets—an emerging voice from Bangladesh with limited institutional backing. This victory solidifies Bangladesh’s place on the world stage and opens doors for the many young filmmakers who will follow the path we have laid,” Sumit told TOI.
A still from ‘Master’ (Image Credit: mypixelstory)
The story of the win for the film, shot before the July uprising, is fascinating. “Following the uprising, the persistent political persecution and harassment faced by both myself and my family during the interim government’s period began to dampen the film’s prospects. Local support dwindled; I found myself unable to secure any new investors, corporate sponsorships, or soft loans. There was a calculated effort to ‘other’ members of the political opposition —extending even to their families — and everyone was too cautious to be associated with us. It was a disheartening time,” Sumit said. Eventually, the director found a lifeline in Korea. “Through allies I met while developing the Post Pro Talent Lab with the World Bank in 2023-24, and with the support of my academic and professional network from my time at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, I was able to give the film the finish it deserved,” he said.
Bangladeshi director Rezwan Shahriar Sumit at the award ceremony
Sumit is “personally indebted” to the NFDC Film Bazaar Co-Production Market and the “entire ecosystem” around it. He launched his debut feature, “The Salt in Our Waters”, there a decade ago and has returned three times since with projects at different stages of development. He notes that many Bangladeshi filmmakers have similarly benefited from the platform, particularly early in their careers. Bangladesh, he said, also contributes significantly to Film Bazaar’s momentum by consistently bringing ambitious yet culturally rooted projects the market is designed to support. He adds that the realities faced by regional filmmakers in India often mirror those in Bangladesh. “While the Mumbai-based Bollywood industry is fascinating, it is often far removed from our daily struggles. In that sense, Bangladeshi filmmakers share a much deeper connection with storytellers from Assam, Manipur, or even Himachal Pradesh. This is why knowledge exchanges between our filmmakers are necessary for the mutual benefit of our respective cinema cultures,” he said.In this context, he also emphasised on the importance of knowledge exchange. “In today’s world, neighbours should seek collaboration over conflict. Of course, any such partnership must be rooted in dignity, mutual respect, and fairness. The newly elected government of Bangladesh has made bold promises regarding the cultural and entertainment sectors, and I hope they follow through — not just by addressing the ‘basic repairs’ needed at home, but by actively building bridges with our various neighbors, including India. Cinema is a universal language, and it offers a powerful path toward finding common ground between our two nations,” he said.
