‘Delupi’ premieres where its story began, a village screening lights up Deluti

In a heartwarming homecoming, the people of Deluti Union in Paikgachha Upazila, Khulna, watched their own stories come alive on the big screen as the much-anticipated film Delupi premiered in the very village where it was made.

The special open-air screening took place on Wednesday evening, October 5, — days before its official theatrical release — turning the quiet riverside village into a vibrant cinema hall under the stars.

Directed by Mohammad Taukir Islam, Delupi captures the struggles, resilience, and emotions of the people of southern Bangladesh — their battles with storms, tidal surges, and river erosion, and their unwavering will to survive. The film was shot over three months entirely in Deluti Union, using local dialects and non-professional actors to bring an authentic portrayal of rural life.

Speaking before the screening, director Taukir Islam said, “The people of this land live every day in a fight for survival. Their courage and humanity inspired me to make Delupi. I wanted to tell their story in their own voice.”

The film’s title itself pays tribute to the union it was born from.

“Everything in the film — politics, love, family, and social tensions — revolves around Deluti,” the director added. “Local artists understood the reality of this region, and that’s why they portrayed their characters so naturally.”

The screening drew hundreds of villagers, who cheered and clapped as familiar faces and landscapes appeared on screen. For many, it was the first time they saw their lives reflected in cinema.

“I never thought a film would be made about our village,” said an elderly resident with tears in her eyes. “It felt like watching our own lives.”

Delupi will be officially released at Liberty Hall in Khulna on November 7, followed by four special shows daily at Khulna District Shilpakala Academy from November 10 to 12. It will also tour Batiaghata, Paikgachha, Dumuria, and Dacope upazilas for local screenings.

The cast includes Chiranjit Biswas, Aditi Roy, Zakir Hossain, and Amit Rudra, who also wrote the screenplay.

As the villagers dispersed after the emotional screening, the night air was filled with one sentiment — pride. “Delupi is not just a film,” one local said. “It is our story finally being told.”