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Gunin
Bengaliগুণিন
Directed byGiasuddin Selim
Screenplay byGiasuddin Selim
Based onGunin
by Hasan Azizul Huq
Starring
CinematographyKamrul Hasan Khosru
Music byEmon Chowdhury
Production
companies
  • Chorki
  • Splice Post Bangladesh Ltd.
Distributed byChorki
Release date
  • 11 March 2022 (2022-03-11)[1]
Running time
118 minutes
CountryBangladesh
LanguageBengali

Gunin is a 2022 Bangladeshi supernatural romance film directed by Giasuddin Selim.[2] He also wrote the screenplay, based on Hasan Azizul Huq's short story of the same name.[3] The film stars Pori Moni, Sariful Razz, Dilara Zaman, Iresh Zaker, Mostafa Monwar, and Azad Abul Kalam.[4] It was produced and distributed by Chorki and was released on theatre on 11 March 2022.[5][1]

Premise

[edit]

Gunin is set in a rural area of 50 years ago. It is the story of a farmer from a village where paranormal activities were cast out at a dam located outside the village.[6]

Cast

[edit]

Crew

[edit]
  • Zuairijah Mou as Executive Producer & Chief AD
  • Yeamin Muzumder as Casting Director
  • Mikhail Najmul as Art Director
  • MH Shorif Ongko as Assistant Art Director
  • Samiun Jahan Dola as Costume Designer
  • Turan Munshi as Line Producer
  • Forhad Reza Milon as Make-up Artist
  • Emon Chowdhury as Music Composer
  • Sharif Ahmed as Editor
  • Kamrul Hasan Khosru as Cinematographer

Production

[edit]

Nusraat Faria was set to play the character Rabeya in the film.[7] But later, she left the film due to a schedule conflict, and Pori Moni replaced her.[8] Principal photography took place in Brahmanbaria and Manikganj.[9] Filming began on 10 October 2021.[10] And the director wrapped up the shooting on 30 October 2021.[11]

Release

[edit]

Gunin was released in theatres on 11 March 2022,[5][1] followed by a digital streaming release on Chorki on 24 March 2022.[12]

Reception

[edit]

Shadique Mahbub Islam of The Financial Express criticized the lack of plot depth of the film.[13]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Gunin

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Gunin is a Bangladeshi directed and written by , adapted from a of the same name by renowned author Hasan Azizul Huq. The film centers on the village Rojob Ali , a character endowed with immense spiritual powers, and unfolds the ensuing family conflicts and events following his mysterious death. Produced by the OTT platform , Gunin premiered in cinemas across on March 11, 2022, screening in 20 theaters including major venues in , Chattogram, and other cities. The narrative explores themes of rural superstitions, familial rivalry—particularly a between two brothers—and the lingering influence of the in a traditional Bangladeshi village setting. The film features a notable ensemble cast, led by Azad Abul Kalam as the titular exorcist Rojob Ali Gunin, alongside Pori Moni, Sariful Razz, Mostafa Monwar, Iresh Zaker, Dilara Zaman, and others including Naila Azad Nupur and Shilpi Sarkar Apu. Classified under genres of drama, horror, and thriller, it runs for approximately 2 hours and has received mixed reviews for its atmospheric portrayal of village life and spiritual elements, though some critics noted inconsistencies in plot depth and pacing. Selim, a two-time National Film Award winner known for works like Monpura and Swapnajaal, brings his signature focus on rural Bangladeshi folklore and human emotions to this project.

Plot

Summary

Gunin is a supernatural romance set in rural Bangladesh approximately 50 years ago, centering on Rojob Ali Gunin, a farmer and revered village exorcist endowed with profound spiritual powers. The narrative unfolds in the aftermath of Gunin's mysterious death, in a close-knit community where paranormal activities associated with a dam on the outskirts continue to haunt the site and encroach upon daily life. With Gunin no longer able to protect the villagers from these otherworldly threats, escalating supernatural perils disrupt the peace. As the story progresses chronologically, the ghostly presences that Gunin once confronted persist, deepening into an enigmatic romance that intertwines with the village's folklore-driven fears. This central conflict intensifies when his grandsons, two brothers motivated by youthful passion and familial legacy, become entangled in a with Rabeya, amid the lingering mysteries. The brothers' initial pursuits of affection and rivalry mirror the broader tensions between tradition and the encroaching unknown, as events continue to unravel the fabric of their rural existence. The film explores supernatural themes through these ghostly interactions, highlighting the interplay of love, loss, and mysticism in a pre-modern Bangladeshi village setting.

Themes

Gunin delves into rural folklore by centering on the figure of a village exorcist, or gunin, who harnesses spiritual powers to confront paranormal forces, reflecting longstanding traditions in Bengali village life where such practitioners hold authority over supernatural threats. This portrayal underscores the pervasive role of oral myths and ritualistic beliefs in shaping community responses to the unknown, emphasizing how folklore serves as both a cultural safeguard and a lens for interpreting inexplicable events even after the exorcist's death. Ghostly apparitions emerge as powerful metaphors for loss and unfulfilled , weaving the romance into explorations of emotional voids left by and separation. These elements symbolize the persistence of and romantic longing, transforming personal tragedies into ethereal narratives that bridge the living and . Gunin authentically represents Bengali rural life by embedding and romance in a mid-20th-century historical framework, capturing the interplay of daily agrarian routines, communal rituals, and forbidden affections amid pervasive mystical fears. The film evokes the era's social fabric, where faith in the intertwines with human vulnerabilities, offering a nuanced depiction of cultural resilience and romantic idealism in isolated village settings.

Background and development

Literary source

The film Gunin is adapted from the short story of the same name by Hasan Azizul Huq, a distinguished Bangladeshi writer renowned for his contributions to Bengali literature through evocative short fiction that explores rural life, social dynamics, and cultural folklore. Huq, who began publishing in the 1960s, crafted narratives deeply embedded in the traditions of Bengali storytelling, often highlighting the interplay between the mundane and the mystical in village settings. He died on 15 November 2021. His short story "Gunin" exemplifies this approach, presenting a compact tale centered on a village exorcist and supernatural occurrences, reflecting the oral folklore traditions prevalent in rural Bengal. Director selected Huq's story for adaptation to vividly portray these folkloric dimensions on screen, transforming the literary text's subtle into a more expansive exploration of rural Bangladesh's spiritual heritage. This choice aligns with Selim's interest in adapting literary works that preserve and revitalize indigenous cultural narratives.

Pre-production

The pre-production phase of Gunin centered on director Giasuddin Selim's of the from Hasan Azizul Huq's of the same name, which served as the literary foundation for the film. Selim, known for his prior works like , expanded the narrative to explore themes of rural superstition and supernatural elements in a i village setting. The production was backed by OTT platform as the primary producer and distributor, in collaboration with Splice Post Bangladesh Ltd. for support, though specific budget details remain undisclosed in public records. Initial casting decisions included signing actress in August 2021 to portray the key female lead, Rabeya, but she exited due to scheduling conflicts and was replaced by in September 2021, marking Moni's first project post-legal issues. Pre-production formalities, including these adjustments, wrapped up to allow to commence on October 10, 2021.

Cast and crew

Cast

The main cast of Gunin includes as Rabeya, the village beauty central to the and the film's romance, and as Ramiz, one of the brothers grappling with village superstitions and familial rivalries following Gunin's death. Supporting roles feature veteran actors embodying the community's archetypes, including Azad Abul Kalam as Rojob Ali Gunin, the village exorcist whose vast spiritual power and mysterious demise propel the story; Mostafa Monwar as the elder brother in the familial conflict; as the village matriarch; in a pivotal communal role; alongside Naila Azad Nupur, Shilpi Sarkar Apu, Bithy Rani Sarker, and others. These performances ground the narrative in authentic rural dynamics. The casting process prioritized performers with experience in rural-themed roles to capture the film's mid-20th-century Bangladeshi village setting, drawing on established talents like Monwar and Zaman for credibility in depicting elders and locals. In , replaced the initially announced for the lead.

Crew

directed Gunin and also penned the screenplay, adapting it from Hasan Azizul Huq's while infusing the narrative with themes of rural and . Kamrul Hasan Khosru served as , employing evocative visuals to portray the film's rural Bangladeshi settings, enhancing the atmospheric depth of the story's elements. Emon composed the original score, incorporating folklorish vocal elements that amplified the eerie and otherworldly tone throughout the film. The production was backed by , the OTT platform that also handled distribution.

Production

Filming

Principal photography for Gunin took place over approximately 20 days, from 10 October to 30 October 2021. To achieve an authentic depiction of Bengali village life, the crew filmed in rural areas of and districts.

Post-production

Post-production for Gunin was managed by Splice Post Bangladesh Ltd., a Dhaka-based full-service facility that handled the assembly and refinement of the film's footage. The editing, by Md. Mizanur Rahman, resulted in a final runtime of 118 minutes. The sound design phase synchronized ambient rural noises, supernatural echoes, and with Emon Chowdhury's evocative folk-inspired score, which featured vocal motifs and instrumental layers to amplify emotional and eerie moments. Foley artist Tapas Haldar contributed tactile audio elements, such as creaking structures and ethereal whispers, while sound recordist Martuza Hasan ensured clean location captures were polished for immersion. This integration created a layered auditory landscape that reinforced the film's themes of , loss, and otherworldly presence.

Release

Theatrical release

Gunin was theatrically released in on 11 March 2022. Distributed by the OTT platform in a pioneering move for the company to bring one of its originals to cinemas, the film premiered in 20 theaters nationwide. This rollout targeted both urban multiplexes in —such as Star Cineplex branches at , Shimanto Shambhar, Sony Square, and SKS Tower—and cinemas in regional cities including Chattogram's and Sugandha, Khulna's Sangeeta and , Pabna's Rupkatha, and Dinajpur's Modern, aiming to reach diverse audiences amid the Bangladeshi film industry's post-COVID resurgence in theaters. Leading up to the debut, promotional efforts included a grand premiere event and the release of an official trailer on 6 March 2022, which highlighted the film's supernatural romance elements and star cast to build anticipation.

Digital release

Following its theatrical debut, Gunin premiered on the streaming platform Chorki on 24 March 2022, marking the film's entry into digital distribution for home viewing. Chorki, a subscription-based service specializing in Bengali-language content, made Gunin available worldwide to subscribers, enhancing accessibility for international Bengali-speaking audiences through its global reach, though certain content may be subject to geographical restrictions from publishers or legal reasons. As of November 2025, the film remains accessible on Chorki for premium subscribers, with no subsequent releases such as DVD or Blu-ray reported.

Reception

Critical response

Gunin received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its atmospheric visuals and authentic portrayal of rural Bangladeshi life while criticizing its narrative shortcomings. Shadique Mahbub Islam of The Financial Express commended the film's exotic village setting and mystic atmosphere, noting that the effectively captures the essence of rural superstitions and . He highlighted the thrilling as a key strength that enhances the elements, describing the handling of and practices as "commendable" for shedding light on how villagers are often swindled by such beliefs. Performances were another point of acclaim, with praising Azad Abul Kalam for anchoring the early narrative, Mostafa Monwar and for their superb portrayals of supporting roles, and Shariful Razz for his strong presence. However, Pori Moni's role as the lead actress was seen as underdeveloped, restricted primarily to serving as a romantic prize for the male protagonists without significantly influencing the plot. The romance, rooted in , resonated culturally by evoking traditional village dynamics, such as the image of a quintessential , though some critics felt it lacked deeper exploration. Criticisms centered on the film's pacing and plot depth, with pointing out that the second half becomes predictable and flat, leading to a mediocre romantic arc and an anti-climactic ending. He described the overall story as unique but limited by insufficient character development and efforts, ultimately offering a fresh but flawed to Bangladeshi cinema. Aggregate user ratings from platforms like reflect this mixed sentiment, averaging 6.3 out of 10 based on over 300 reviews, with many Bangladeshi viewers appreciating the cultural authenticity despite narrative flaws.

Box office and commercial performance

Gunin opened theatrically in 20 cinemas across on March 11, 2022, including major venues in , Chattogram, and other cities, with plans for further expansion during its run. Specific gross figures for the film remain unavailable, reflecting the limited and inconsistent reporting typical of the , where no centralized tracking body exists. Following its limited theatrical engagement, Gunin premiered on the streaming platform on March 24, 2022, broadening its reach to digital audiences and marking Chorki's first original production to transition from theaters to OTT. Detailed streaming metrics, such as viewership numbers, have not been publicly disclosed by the platform. The film received no major national awards or nominations in subsequent years, including the 47th National Film Awards for 2022 releases.

References

  1. https://www.newagebd.net/article/165129/giasuddin-selims-gunin-hits-cinemas
  2. https://www.banginews.com/web-news?id=1fb85e1d629558d46f8fc19101214f9014cec214
  3. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18347356/
  4. https://www.moviefone.com/movie/gunin/yBxIEVwwXkeUKFhOJeP766/main/
  5. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18347356/reviews/
  6. https://www.tbsnews.net/splash/razz-porimoni-starrer-gunin-hit-theatres-friday-380731
  7. https://bangladeshpost.net/posts/pori-raj-starrer-gunin-gets-clearance-80138
  8. https://blockbusterbd.com/movie-details/00563/gunin
  9. https://asianmoviepulse.com/2023/01/10-titles-proving-that-2022-was-a-consecutive-great-year-for-bangladeshi-cinema/
  10. https://www.tbsnews.net/glitz/nusrat-faria-star-giasuddin-selims-next-gunin-294772
  11. https://www.thedailystar.net/daily-star-books/news/two-tales-violence-the-hands-master-2902436
  12. https://www.thedailystar.net/entertainment/tv-film/news/hasan-azizul-haque-was-tears-after-watching-khacha-2233946
  13. https://thereport.live/showbiz/gias-uddin-selim-signs-nusraat-faria-for-gunin/6364
  14. https://www.tbsnews.net/glitz/we-should-not-be-too-judgemental-regarding-porimonis-issues-giasuddin-selim-315721
  15. https://ireshzaker.com/career-works/
  16. https://www.newagebd.net/article/149574/pori-moni-to-play-rabeya-in-gunin
  17. https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/585536
  18. https://www.tbsnews.net/splash/chorki-releases-gunin-24-march-389278
  19. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/946362?language=en-US
  20. https://www.dhakatribune.com/showtime/264353/porimoni-starrer-gunin-gets-censor-board
  21. https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/609048
  22. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18347356/fullcredits/
  23. https://www.tbsnews.net/glitz/pori-moni-signs-first-film-after-jail-return-set-star-giasuddin-selims-gunin-304111
  24. https://www.thedailystar.net/entertainment/tv-film/news/team-gunin-wraps-shooting-2211381
  25. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18347356/locations/
  26. https://www.tbsnews.net/splash/after-grand-premiere-gunin-out-theatres-today-383173
  27. https://www.thedailystar.net/entertainment/tv-film/news/2022-roundup-year-revival-our-film-industry-3204856
  28. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjur51mFoWg
  29. https://www.chorki.com/movie/gunin
  30. https://www.chorki.com/page/faq
  31. https://futurestartup.com/2023/11/27/chorki-building-a-global-streaming-platform-for-bangla-speaking-audiences-from-bangladesh/
  32. https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/entertainment/gunin-breathes-fresh-air-despite-lack-of-plot-depth-1649145961
  33. https://www.imdb.com/list/ls527695459/
  34. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18347356/awards
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