Bangladesh’s film history marks August 3 as the 70th anniversary of the 1956 release of ‘Mukh O Mukhosh,’ described as the country’s first full-length Bengali sound film. Directed by Abdul Jabbar Khan, the film is regarded as the starting point of the Dhaka film industry and a landmark in the country’s cultural history. It was released on August 3, 1956, with the anniversary falling on August 3, 2026.

The project emerged after a 1953 meeting on the prospects for filmmaking in East Pakistan, where a comment suggested films could not be made in the region’s humid climate. Theatre worker Abdul Jabbar Khan challenged that view and declared that Bengali-language films could be made there. Despite having no prior filmmaking experience, he adapted his own play, ‘Dakat,’ into a screenplay. Filming took place at locations in Dhaka amid limited technology and other difficulties, while editing and printing were completed at Shahnoor Studio in Lahore.

Samar Das directed the music, Abdul Alim and Mahbuba Hasnat provided vocals, and Gawhar Jamil directed dance. The film premiered at Rupmahal Cinema Hall in Dhaka and was also shown in Chittagong, Narayanganj and Khulna. Its strong audience response demonstrated the viability of Bengali filmmaking in the country.