When is the ‘Room Number 2011’ Premiere Date?

The premiere date of the short film Room Number 2011, created to commemorate the memory of Abrar Fahad, was announced.

It will premiere at Jahangirnagar University on December 3, 2024.

This project is helmed by Sheikh Jisan Ahamed, a student of the university.

The film brings together nearly a hundred students who contributed as actors, marking Jisan’s ambitious first step into the realm of fiction.

Prior to this, he earned recognition for his skilful recreations of memorable scenes from films like Monpura and 3 Idiots.

Inspired by true events, Room Number 2011 reflects the tragic story of Abrar Fahad.

Abrar was a second-year Electrical Engineering student at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).

On October 7, 2019, Abrar was brutally murdered in his dormitory by members of the student wing affiliated with the then-ruling political party.

This horrific incident shook the nation, prompting widespread protests among students and a legal battle that continues to resonate in Bangladesh’s collective consciousness.

Twenty out of 25 convicts were sentenced to death with the remaining five served with life sentences.

Though not a biopic, the film creatively portrays the essence of these events.

Jisan explained: “Yes, the film is based on Abrar Fahad’s story.

“We sought and received his family’s permission before moving forward.”

Abrar’s younger brother, Abrar Faiyaz, provided vital details, while interviews with Abrar’s BUET roommate helped shape the screenplay.

Jisan also referenced newspaper reports and the accused’s statements to maintain accuracy.

Despite being set at Jahangirnagar University instead of BUET, the film captures the atmosphere of the tragedy.

Jisan explained: “Our campus shares visual similarities with BUET, and viewers will notice this once they watch the film.

“Our goal was to honour the story’s significance rather than recreate the exact location.”

According to Jisan, the film, running 20 to 25 minutes, was completed on a zero budget.

Initially, Jisan funded the project himself, driven by his determination to bring the story to life.

Later, a Bangladeshi organisation based in the United States, Ektiphul, provided crucial financial support to finalise the project.

Room Number 2011 is more than a short film. It is a tribute to Abrar Fahad’s memory and a stark reminder of the systemic issues that led to his untimely death.

By retelling this story, Jisan and his team aim to shed light on a dark chapter in Bangladesh’s academic history.