From OTT sensation to big screen debut: Touqir brings ‘Delupi’, a portrait of real Bangladesh
After redefining digital storytelling with his critically acclaimed OTT series Shaaticup (2022) and Sinpaat (2024), visionary filmmaker Mohammad Touqir Islam is stepping onto the silver screen with his debut feature film ‘Delupi’ a deeply human drama rooted in the soil, sweat, and soul of rural Bangladesh.
Officially announced on Thursday via social media by Footprint Film Production House, Delupi takes its name from Deluti Union in Paikgachha, Khulna, but its heartbeat echoes across the entire nation.
“‘Delupi’ is born from what I call ‘fictional reality’,” says Touqir. “It’s inspired by the lives, struggles, silences, and relationships of people in that region but their joys and pains are universal. You’ll see your neighbour, your uncle, your childhood friend in every frame.”
Known for his unflinching authenticity and lyrical realism, Touqir has once again turned away from star power and spectacle. Instead, Delupi is cast entirely with local faces farmers, fishermen, schoolteachers whose eyes carry stories no script can invent.
Shot on location in Khulna’s riverine landscapes, the film immerses viewers in a world rarely seen in mainstream Bangladeshi cinema: one where monsoons dictate fate, where love blooms in whispers, and where dignity is found in daily resilience.
“Big budgets and famous names never mattered to me,” Touqir explains. “What matters is truth. Every character in Delupi breathes. Every tear is real. I wanted to make a film that doesn’t just entertain—but recognises people.”
His 2022 breakout Shaaticup, set against the sunbaked alleys of Rajshahi, stunned audiences with its poetic grit and regional authenticity. Two years later, Sinpaat deepened his reputation as a chronicler of ordinary lives with extraordinary emotional depth. Now, with Delupi, Touqir isn’t just making a movie—he’s building a bridge between art and empathy.
Produced by Footprint Film Production, the film marks the company’s first foray into feature filmmaking. “We believe in stories that speak softly but leave a roar,” said a spokesperson. “Delupi is exactly that.”
While an exact release date is yet to be confirmed, the team confirms Delupi will hit cinema halls nationwide soon—bringing the quiet power of Khulna’s backwaters to the heart of Bangladesh’s cinematic consciousness.
In an era of high-octane blockbusters, Touqir’s debut is a gentle revolution: a reminder that the most powerful stories aren’t shouted—they’re lived. And now, they’re coming to a screen near you.