Mujib: The Making of a Nation

Mujibur Rahman returns to his homeland in a triumphant homecoming on 10 January 1972. Thousands fill the streets, garlands are placed around his neck, and the moment signals a new beginning for the newborn nation. He speaks to the crowd about reconstruction and renewal as the country looks ahead.

The film follows Mujib from his childhood through his education, tracing the seeds of his political resolve. It shows his time at Baker Hostel in Calcutta and his eventual admission to Dhaka University, where dissent grows brighter. These early experiences lay the groundwork for his later leadership.

At Dhaka University, students march for Bengali as the national language on 21 February 1952. When police open fire on the procession, Mujib endures imprisonment and begins a hunger strike in solidarity with the movement. The episode marks a defining moment in his commitment to language rights and civil liberties.

As the anti-Ayub movement grows, Mujib builds alliances with Tajuddin Ahmad, Maulana Bhashani, and other supporters who bolster his leadership. He articulates the six-point demands in 1966, crystallizing a vision for greater autonomy and democratic rights for East Pakistan. These efforts mobilize student and public support, setting the stage for future upheavals.

The 1969 mass uprising sweeps across East Pakistan, elevating Mujib to the center of front-page politics. Demonstrations and strikes build pressure on the authorities and propel the push for reform. The upheaval foreshadows the dramatic turn toward independence.

The 1970 general elections reshape the political landscape, with Mujib emerging as the central figure whose party wins a decisive mandate. The results intensify calls for autonomy and create a direct path to eventual secession and independence. The mood shifts from reform to outright pursuit of self-determination.

On March 7, 1971, Mujib delivers a landmark speech at Race Course Maidan, rallying the people to the cause of independence. He is rearrested by the Pakistani Army, turning him into a symbol for a movement that would soon erupt into war. The speech crystallizes the resolve of the nation in the face of mounting crisis.

While Mujib remains imprisoned in West Pakistan, Begum Mujib maintains momentum from behind the scenes. She uses her political acumen to sustain the struggle and galvanize supporters, complementing Mujib’s leadership with clarity and resolve. Her efforts help keep the push for autonomy and eventual independence alive.

The Bangladesh Liberation War unfolds with indispensable Indian support, uniting the Bangladeshi people in a common cause. The combined effort leads to the surrender of the Pakistani army and the birth of a free nation. The conflict cements Mujib’s legacy as the architect of independence.

Mujib returns home in 1972 and serves as prime minister, guiding the new state through nation-building and constitutional design. He oversees the first general elections and works to stabilize a country torn by conflict. He draws on elder statesmen’s guidance to shape a new constitutional framework.

During the 1974 famine, Mujib emphasizes humanitarian relief and refuses to compromise on protecting the vulnerable. He advocates policies that prioritize people over punitive scarcity. These decisions reflect his commitment to social welfare amid crisis.

He reshapes the political landscape by founding the provisional Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League and serving as its president, centralizing leadership in the newborn state. The move cements his central role in nation-building, though it also foreshadows later power struggles. The film presents this as a pivotal step in consolidating authority during a fragile period.

On the night of August 15, 1975, Mujib and many family members are assassinated in a brutal coup plot led by dissident military officers. The assassination shocks the nation and leaves a legacy of unresolved memory. It marks a tragic end to his central role in the birth of Bangladesh.