The story draws from the director’s childhood.
Bangladeshi filmmaker Mejbaur Rahman Sumon returns with his second feature Roid, reuniting with Nazifa Tushi after their acclaimed debut Hawa.
The newly unveiled poster and trailer have heightened anticipation, positioning the film as a significant milestone for contemporary Bangladeshi cinema.
Industry observers responded quickly after the reveal, noting confident craft and an expanded artistic ambition compared with the director’s debut.
Sumon’s first film, Hawa, released in 2022, earned strong box office returns and widespread international festival recognition.
Following a deliberate gap, the filmmaker now presents Roid as a more mature exploration of memory, myth, and rural intimacy.
The trailer, running two minutes and twenty-one seconds, gradually establishes mood through restrained performances and tactile visuals.
Viewers have suggested the narrative depth feels heavier this time, signalling growth in Sumon’s storytelling confidence.
The story draws from the director’s childhood, shaped by memories and two familiar figures central to his emotional landscape.
Sumon has acknowledged his mother’s equal influence, grounding the film’s perspective within lived experience and oral tradition.
At its core, Roid follows Sadu, his mentally unstable wife, and a palm tree beside their home.
This triad reimagines an ancient folk tale, translating inherited symbolism into a contemporary cinematic language form.
Production design stands out remarkably, with nearly 50 thousand trees planted and tended to construct a believable village.
Several key locations were purpose-built for the narrative, allowing the environment to actively shape character behaviour.
Nazifa Tushi returns in a demanding role, portraying Sadu’s wife through intense physical and psychological transformation.
To achieve realism, she avoided makeup for six months and altered skin texture, teeth appearance, and speech.
The actor has described the performance as her most challenging work, requiring discipline, endurance, and emotional vulnerability.
Beyond local anticipation, the project gained significant momentum through selection for the Tiger Competition at Rotterdam.
This placement at the fifty-fifth Rotterdam International Film Festival signals strong international confidence in the film.
For Bangladeshi cinema, the recognition reinforces a growing presence on global stages through distinctive regional storytelling.
Sumon’s collaboration with Tushi again emphasises performance-driven narratives anchored by atmosphere, patience, and moral ambiguity.
As release plans develop, Roid appears positioned to extend the director’s voice beyond borders without diluting authenticity.
If expectations hold, Mejbaur Rahman Sumon’s second feature may stand as a defining chapter in modern Bangladeshi filmmaking.
Watch the Trailer:
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