Indian author Anurag Kashyap has joined as host of the Bangladeshi drama “Delupi”, and the film will carry the tagline “Anurag Kashyap Presents” in its release and promotional campaigns in the future.

“Delupi” had its international premiere in the Bright Future section of the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) earlier this year.

The premiere came during a historic edition of the IFFR for Bangladeshi cinema, with three productions from the country – “Delupi”, “Roid” and “Master” – selected in three different competitive sections, the first time that many Bangladeshi films were presented together at the festival. “Master” won the big screen award.

Directed, produced, written and filmed by Mohammad Touqir Islam, “Delupi” is set in a Bangladeshi village dealing with the aftermath of a flood and political unrest. The story follows Partha and Nupur, whose romance becomes a target when local political operative Zakir stirs up a conspiracy against young activist Mihir. As Mihir considers leaving the village in defeat, Partha convinces him to stay and lead the community’s fight for a sustainable dam to protect their homes.

Islam said, “We believe this new collaboration with Anurag Kashyap marks an exciting next chapter in the film’s journey.”

Kashyap will support “Delupi” by championing the project and introducing it to a wider audience as it continues its festival and release journey. Kashyap described the story as “very human” and said it “feels like our own backyard.” He said the village, isolated from the rest of Bangladesh by a flood following the regime change, functions as a metaphor for the entire country, comparing rebuilding its dam to rebuilding a nation from scratch with no resources. Kashyap added that the film moved him “in ways I cannot describe.”

The film was written by Islam along with Amit Rudra, who also served as executive producer and art director. Tanveer Hossain co-produced, with Md. Mushfiqur Rahman Tamal as linear producer. The cast includes Chiranjeet Biswas, Aditi Roy, Rudra Roy, Md Zakir Hossain, Palash Kumar Ghosh, Prashanta Roy and Alpona Bairagi.

The film is a production of Bangladesh-based Footprint Film Production.