A Kabir Suman song in Asif Akbar’s voice in a Dhallywood film.

A significant and symbolic chapter has been added to the musical landscape of Bangladeshi cinema with the first-ever contribution of celebrated poet, lyricist and singer Kabir Suman to a Dhaka-based film. For the first time in his long and influential career, Suman has written lyrics and composed music specifically for a Bangladeshi feature film, marking his cinematic debut through the forthcoming family drama Jhamela. The development has already generated considerable interest among film critics, music professionals and audiences alike.

Kabir Suman has enjoyed enduring popularity among Bangladeshi listeners for decades. His songs, marked by lyrical depth, social consciousness and melodic sophistication, have resonated strongly across generations. He has performed numerous live concerts in Dhaka and other cities, building a devoted following. Until now, however, his creative association with Bangladesh remained confined to the audio music domain. His transition into Dhaka cinema therefore represents a notable expansion of his artistic engagement with the country’s cultural industry.

According to the production team, Jhamela will feature a total of six songs. Of these, three have been written and composed by Kabir Suman, while all six tracks have been sung by renowned playback singer Asif Akbar. Each song will be presented as a solo performance, carefully designed to align with the emotional arc and narrative progression of the film. The music arrangements have been handled jointly by Ujjal Sinha and Azmir Babu, both known for their contemporary yet narrative-sensitive orchestration.

The collaboration between Kabir Suman and Asif Akbar is not a new one. Asif Akbar has often acknowledged that he has been an admirer of Suman’s work since childhood. That admiration eventually led to professional collaboration, resulting in several well-received songs over the years, including Syria’r Chele, Poroya Kori Na, Amar Ekar Noy, Ekusher February’r Dak, Ei Akbar Oi Suman, Lukono Manik, Sundorkei Mani and Ekhono Shei Asif Ami. Their reunion on the cinematic platform is expected to add a new artistic dimension to their partnership.

Jhamela boasts a strong ensemble cast featuring veteran actress Dolly Zahur alongside Shyamal Mawla, Tanzika Amin, Nausaba Ahmed and Rashed Mamun Apu, among others. Director Yamin Ilan has described the film as a completely original Bangladeshi story rooted in family relationships and everyday emotional conflicts. Filming has already been completed in two phases across locations in Dhaka and Gazipur. The producers are planning to release the film during one of the Eid festivals later this year, aiming to reach a wide family audience.

The key details of the film and its music are summarised below:

Taken together, the inclusion of Kabir Suman’s songwriting and compositions, combined with Asif Akbar’s distinctive voice, is widely expected to enrich the musical identity of Jhamela and contribute meaningfully to the evolving soundscape of Dhaka cinema.