Freedom has many facets; it has many forms. Some gain it through direct conflict against oppression, while some fight in their minds through expressing mute protest against injustice and cherishing immense desire to crush it. Shovon belongs to the latter class as his Swadhinata (freedom) comes from inside.

To put it roughly, this is the theme of a latest Liberation War-based Bengali film, Shovoner Swadhinata (Shovon’s Freedom) that is set to hit the cinemas across the country in March this year.

The film’s setting is in Dhaka during the eve of Liberation War of 1971. The story starts right after the tragic night of 25 March, on which day Pakistani occupational forces conducted the brutal killing.

The film portrays Shovon, the protagonist of the film, as a teenage boy who finds himself in a psychological dilemma whether to join the war or to continue his SSC exams. He feels an extreme moral rush to follow his elder brother Sumon who has already joined Muktibahini, but his parents sent him to the care of his uncle, who happens to be a collaborator of the Pakistani armed forces.

Shovon comes into conflict with his uncle and one of his friends Badal for their pro-Pakistani stance. But, his other friends, Zahir, Jewel and Bulbul, share his ideology of joining the fight against enemy and contributing to the motherland.

Later he makes up his mind to go to the war, but gets captured and later killed by Pakistani army. At last Shovon’s friends join the war on his behalf, avenge him, and honour his sacrifice by contributing in the achievement of freedom.

Based on a novel written by Rashid Haidar, the film’s dialogue and script are written by Manik Manobik who is also its director. The film, which received a government grant for its making, has recently got censor board clearance.

Shovoner Swadhinata features Rudra Raiyan who played the character of Shovon. 

Among others, the film also casts Ferdous, Nipun, Ataur Rahman, Khairul Alam Sabuj, Chitralekha Guha, Wahida Mallik Joli, Zillur Rahman Alamgir, Swadhin Khasru, Chaity, and Mahmudul Islam Mithu.