A House Named Shahana
| A House Named Shahana | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Bengali | বাড়ির নাম শাহানা |
| Literally | The name of the house is Shahana. |
| Directed by | Leesa Gazi |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography |
|
| Edited by | Alex Unai Arrieta |
| Music by |
|
Production companies |
|
Release dates |
|
Running time | 120 mins |
| Countries |
|
| Language | Bengali |
A House Named Shahana (Bengali: বাড়ির নাম শাহানা, romanized: Bāṛir nām śāhānā) is a 2023 Bengali-language drama film directed by Leesa Gazi. The film is adaption of her own 2011 novella as her debut feature. Set in 1990s rural Bangladesh, the film follows a divorcee who defies social stigma and the burden of family honour to live on her own terms.[1]
The film had its world premiere at the South Asia Competition section of the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2023 on 28 October 2023, where it won the Film Critics Guild Gender Sensitivity Award.[2] It was theatrically released in Bangladesh on 19 September 2025.[3]
It was selected as the Bangladeshi entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.[4]
Synopsis
The film follows defiant journey of Dipa, a young woman navigating societal constraints in 1990s rural Bangladesh. Raised in a household overshadowed by domineering relatives and emotionally absent parents, Dipa is hastily married to a widower in England via a trunk-call ceremony in an attempt to suppress her adolescent desires. The marriage proves traumatic, marked by sexual violence and emotional isolation. She flees back to Bangladesh, where as a divorcee, she confronts societal stigma and family dishonor. Gradually rebuilding her life and career in medicine, she emerges as a confident professional.
The narrative centers on her journey toward self-determination, resilience, and liberation within a patriarchal society.
Cast
- Aanon Siddiqua as Shahrin Munshi Dipa
- Lutfur Rahman George as Forhad Munshi
- Iresh Zaker as Shukhomoy Haldar
- Kazi Ruma as Dilruba
- Kamrunnahar Munni as Julekha
- Mugdhota Morshed Wriddhi as Pori
- Amirul Haque Chowdhury as Sirajur (Uncle)
- Naila Azad as Sajeda (Aunt)
- Arif Islam
- Naimur Rahman Apon as Sohrab
- Jayanto Chattopadhyay as Kobiraj
Production
The concept for the film originated around 2011, based on Leesa Gazi's own novella, published in Daily Prothom Alo. It was produced by Komola Collective in association with Goopy Bagha Productions Limited. Cinematography was led by Xoaher Musavvir, with editing by Alex Unai Arrieta. The musical score was composed by Sohini Alam and Oliver Weeks. Notably, the film employed live sound recording during production, foregoing traditional post-production dubbing.[5]
Release
A House Named Shahana had its premiere at the Mumbai Film Festival on 28 October 2023 in South Asia Competition, where it won the Gender Sensitivity award.[1] It was showcased in the Strand: Young Rebels at the London Indian Film Festival on 23 November 2023.[6]
It was screened at the Dhaka International Film Festival on 23 January 2024.[5]
It was also screened at the 2024 Kolkata People’s Film Festival,[7] and at the Asian Film Festival Barcelona in Panorama on 30 October 2024.[8]
Reception
Debanjan Dhar, reviewing the film for High on Films at the IFFLA, awarded the film 3.5 out of 5 stars, and praised it as a nuanced and powerful depiction of female agency and determination. Dhar highlighted the film's central character, Dipa, as an unapologetic and assertive figure whose courageous pursuit of her own path leaves a lasting and deeply inspiring impression. Praising Aanon Siddiqua, Dhar wrote, "Siddiqua brings both steeliness and a sense of lightness to the role [of Dipa]."[9]
Accolades
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAMI Mumbai Film Festival | 3 November 2023 | Film Critics Guild Gender Sensitivity Award | A House Named Shahana | Won | [10] |
See also
- List of submissions to the 98th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film
- List of Bangladeshi submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film
References
- ^ a b Ellie Calnan (27 September 2025). "Oscars best international feature 2026: all the films submitted so far". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ Ramachandran, Naman (3 November 2023). "'Against The Tide,' 'The Monk And The Gun' Among Mumbai Film Festival Winners". Variety. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ প্রতিবেদক, বিনোদন (18 September 2025). "উৎসব ঘুরে প্রেক্ষাগৃহে 'বাড়ির নাম শাহানা'". Prothomalo (in Bengali). Retrieved 19 October 2025.
- ^ "98th Academy Awards: Bangladesh sends 'Barir Naam Shahana' to compete in International Feature Film Category". The Daily Star. 27 September 2025. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ a b Tabassum, Mahiya (23 January 2024). "'Barir Naam Shahana': A riveting dive into resilience and rebellion". The Daily Star. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ "Barir Naam Shahana". London Indian Film Festival. 23 November 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ "A House Named Shahana". Kolkata People’s Film Festival. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ "A House Named Shahana". Asian Film Festival Barcelona. 30 October 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ Dhar, Debanjan (2 March 2025). "A House Named Shahana (2024) 'IFFLA' Movie Review: A Revelatory Aanon Siddiqua Grounds Leesa Gazi's Earnest, Emboldening Film". High on Films. Retrieved 27 September 2025.
- ^ TIM DAMS (6 November 2023). "Sarvnik Kaur's 'Against The Tide' wins top prize at Mumbai Film Festival". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 27 September 2025.