Jibon Theke Neya

Taken from life
Bengaliজীবন থেকে নেয়া
Directed byZahir Raihan
Written by
Produced byZahir Raihan
Starring
CinematographyAfzal Chowdhury
Edited byMaloy Banerjee
Music byKhan Ataur Rahman
Altaf Mahmud
Distributed byAnees Films Corporation
Release date
  • 10 April 1970 (1970-04-10) (East Pakistan)
Running time
133 minutes[1]
CountryPakistan
LanguageBengali

Jibon Theke Neya (lit. 'Taken from Life') is a critically acclaimed Bengali-language East-Pakistani film directed by Zahir Raihan. Released in 1970, it has been described as an example of "national cinema", using discrete local traditions to build a representation of the Bangladeshi national identity[2][3]

Set against the backdrop of the political and social upreveal in East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh) during the late 1960s, Jibon Theke Neya portrays the struggles and aspirations of the common people in the face of oppression and injustice.[4] The film addresses themes such as poverty, political corruption, political exploitation, and the power of unity.[5]

Jibon Theke Neya garnered widespread acclaim for its powerful storytelling, poignant performances, and the director's exceptional execution. It played a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of Bangladeshi cinema and became a landmark film in the country's history. Moreover, the movie holds historical significance as it was released just months before the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, which ultimately led to the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan. It remains a cultural touchstone, serving as a reminder of the importance of social justice and the enduring spirit of the Bangladeshi people. The film's legacy endures, and it continues to inspire filmmakers and audiences alike, cementing its place as a timeless classic in Bangladeshi cinema.[6] According to The Daily Star, the film is considered to be Zahir Raihan's finest work till date.[7]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Kabir1970 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Alam, Shahinur (10 February 2022). জীবন থেকে নেয়া: পারিবারিক গল্পের আড়ালে বলা এক রাষ্ট্রের গল্প. Ittefaq (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Jibon Theke Neya, an emblem of political satire – Young Observer". The Daily Observer. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  4. ^ "Jibon Theke Neya: Cinema that reflects life". The Asian Age. Bangladesh. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  5. ^ Tithi, Naznin (19 August 2021). "Zahir Raihan and the making of Jibon Thekey Neya". The Daily Star. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  6. ^ "The celebs' list of favourite movies based on 1971". The Business Standard. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  7. ^ Ishtiaq, Ahmad (19 August 2021). জহির রায়হান: অকালে হারানো উজ্জ্বল নক্ষত্র. The Daily Star (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 June 2022.