Dhaka, July 10 -- 'Utshob,' one of the most acclaimed Bangladeshi movies in recent times, is receiving praise for its nuanced narrative, clever and deep conversations, and excellent overall production featuring a top-notch ensemble. The movie has taken everyone by surprise—both viewers and critics alike.
Nevertheless, during an era where nearly every movie incorporates multiple songs, including a required track to cater to cinema-goers, 'Utshob' featured just two songs, sourced from two distinct Bangladeshi bands - and even those were integrated into the narrative.
The first of the two tracks is "Tumi," composed and performed by Aiedid Rashid from the band Level Five, one of the most well-known alternative rock groups in recent years. Recognized for their melancholic tunes, reflective lyrics, and emotionally deep sound, Level Five's music—including the popular track "Tumi" (initially released as a solo single in 2022, apart from the 'Utshob' soundtrack)—merges indie and post-rock elements, providing a unique and sincere voice within the regional rock community.
The second song is a popular tune among fans of Bangladeshi band music: "Dhusor Shomoy" from the progressive rock group Artcell. It was initially launched on April 1, 2006, as part of their second studio album 'Oniket Prantor', and quickly emerged as one of the band's most celebrated songs.
A beloved progressive rock track, Artcell's "Dhusor Shomoy" is recognized for its lyrical richness and emotional power. Its presence in Utshob brought a strong sense of nostalgia and connection, perfectly matching the movie's themes of memory, sorrow, and deep feelings.
Concerning the inclusion of these two songs in the movie, 'Utshob's co-writer Ayman Asib Shadhin stated to UNB that adding these tracks had always been a long-held aspiration for him and the crew.
Being a passionate movie enthusiast and a supporter of modern band music, I have always wished to incorporate band songs into our film—and fortunately, I discovered that the 'Utshob' team, particularly our director Tanim Noor Bhai, had the same idea. Nevertheless, the reaction we got surprised us and went beyond anything we could have anticipated; we never thought people would appreciate it so much," Shadhin said to UNB.
"We had earlier incorporated band songs in our OTT series like 'Kaiser' ('Nightdriver' by EIDA and 'Eden' by Arekta Rock Band) and 'Contract' ('Oniket Prantor' by Artcell) - and the positive feedback motivated us to use band songs in our movie. However, it was definitely a bold decision, particularly since most commercial and multiplex films typically include several tracks - often featuring a 'required' item song," he added.
"Additionally, the entire process of working with a band—persuading them to be involved in the story to discussing fair payment—is not without challenges; however, thanks to Level Five and Artcell, who worked exceptionally well with us, despite being aware of the possibility of failure in this experiment," Shadhin said, commending the bands.
Viewers both in the home country and overseas have shown great excitement about the film and its soundtrack. "I wasn't very familiar with Level Five's songs prior to this, but after seeing 'Utshob,' the track 'Tumi' has become a regular on my daily playlist," said Samiha Mahzuza, a Master's student in Information Technology at Western Sydney University, who spoke to UNB following her screening of the movie at Reading Cinemas Auburn in Sydney, Australia — where the film is currently leading at the box office.
In the meantime, Artcell's "Dhusor Shomoy" has smoothly enhanced the film's storyline, as per most viewers. "It's one of my top favorite tracks, and the scene we envisioned for it in the movie was perfectly matched by the band," Shadhin said to UNB.
Guitarist Ashiqul Alam Ashiq from Level Five expressed gratitude to fans for the strong reaction to "Tumi," stating to UNB that the band feels privileged to be part of the movie.
"Being involved in this movie is everything to us. It's incredible to see our song presented so beautifully—we couldn't have wished for anything better. Witnessing our childhood idols, such as Artcell and the amazing cast, in the film moved us deeply, making it a unique and unforgettable experience," Ashiq said to UNB.
The primary force behind this musical integration, Tanim Noor, is gaining widespread recognition and both critical acclaim and commercial achievement for his first feature film 'Utshob' as its director and co-producer.