Bangladesh Announces 2023 National Film Awards Honoring 32 Artists and Technicians

Photo Collected

A+ A A-

The Bangladeshi government has announced the recipients of the 2023 National Film Awards, recognizing 32 artists and technicians across 28 categories for their contributions to the country’s cinematic landscape. According to a notification issued Tuesday by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the awards honor both contemporary excellence and lifetime achievement.

The lifetime achievement award will be presented jointly to veteran actress Jharna Basak, known as Shabnam, and film editor Fazle Haque. Additionally, posthumous lifetime honors were awarded to filmmakers Tareque Masud and Abdul Latif Bachchu.

Director Khandaker Sumon’s critically acclaimed film “Satao” emerged as the event’s most successful production, securing the top honors for Best Film and Best Director. In the short film and documentary categories, “Mariam” was named Best Short Film, while “Leelavati Nag: The Rebel” was recognized as Best Documentary.

Performance awards were dominated by high-profile releases. Afran Nisho claimed the award for Best Actor for his role in “Surongo,” while Ainun Nahar Putul received the Best Actress award for her performance in “Satao.” Supporting roles were also recognized, with Monir Ahmed honored for his work in “Surongo” and Nazia Haque Orsha winning for “Ora Sat Jon.”

The film “Adventure of Sundarbans” garnered accolades for Ashish Khandaker in the Best Villain category, while Shahiduzzaman Selim took home the award for Best Comedian for his role in “Surongo.” In the child artist category, Mohammad Leon was selected as Best Child Artist for “Am-Kathaler Chhuti,” with Arif Hasan and Anaira Khan receiving special jury mentions for their performances in the same film.

Music and technical contributions were highlighted through several prominent wins. Emon Chowdhury was named Best Music Director for “Adventure of Sundarbans.” Balam received the Best Male Playback Singer award for the track “O Priyotoma” from “Priyotoma,” and Abanti Sithi was named Best Female Playback Singer for “Ga Chuye Bolo” from “Surongo.” Habibur Rahman Habib was recognized as Best Choreographer for “Lal Sari.”

The technical jury also honored Md. Tasnimul Hasan for Best Screenplay for “Roktojoba,” and Mohammad Salahuddin Ahmed Babu for Best Editing for the liberation war film “Ora Sat Jon.” Writing credits for “Surongo” continued to see success, with Raihan Rafi and Syed Nazim Ud Dowla sharing the Best Dialogue award.

Rounding out the technical categories, “Surongo” saw further success as Shahidul Islam and Suman Kumar Sarkar were awarded for Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography, respectively. Sujan Mahmud received the Best Sound Recordist award for “Satao,” while Bithi Afrin was recognized for Best Costume and Set Design for “Surongo.” The award for Best Makeup Artist went to Sabuj for his work on “Priyotoma.”