Kathgolap is a Bangladeshi film directed by Sazzad Khan and produced by Md. Farman Ali for Dreamland Entertainment. The story and screenplay were written by Aporna Rubel.
The film was screened at several international film festivals and received awards. The Bangladeshi film Kathgolap was officially banned from public exhibition in Bangladesh by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Premise The narrative follows the interconnected lives and struggles of three women from different social backgrounds—a housewife, a corporate employee, and a schoolteacher. The film explores deep-seated social taboos, human emotional complexities, and unspoken needs within family structures.
Cast
Sabrina Sultana Keya as a teacher Dilruba Doyel Meghla Mukta Rashed Mamun Apu AK Azad Setu Jamshed Shamim Kuntal Booki Shilpi Sarkar Apu Sujon Habib
Production The film's pre production and filming was started on 16 October 2022. Shooting took place across some urban locations in Dhaka, including Panthapath, Uttara, Hatirjheel, Mirpur DOHS, and Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology campus.
Release and Controversy
Festival Screenings The world premiere of the film held in New Delhi, India, at the 11th Jagran Film Festival (JFF) in 2023. The film Kathgolap was selected for several international film festivals and also screened at the Golden Femina Film Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria in June 2024.
Ban in Bangladesh In September 2023, the producer submitted the film to the Bangladesh Film Censor Board for certification. But the appeal was rejected, leading the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to ban the film officially in October 2025 under Section 12(1) of the Bangladesh Film Certification Act, 2023. The government declared the film is uncertified and they banned all public screenings across Bangladesh.
Accolades Kathgolap has received international recognition and awards across various foreign film festivals prior to its restriction in Bangladesh. Event / FestivalCategory / AwardResultRef.76th Cannes Film Festival (2023)Cannes Market (Poster Launch)ParticipatedJagran Film Festival, India (2023)Official SelectionNominatedShanta Dev International Film Festival, ChennaiBest Debut Feature FilmWonNavy International Film Festival, MalaysiaFestival AwardWonThe Golden Femi Film Festival, Bulgaria (2024)Feature Film Award / SelectionWon
References