`Children of War` to release in Bangladesh and India on May 16

New Delhi/Dhaka: The much talked-about Indian film `Children of War: Nine Months to Freedom`, will have its trans-border release in Bangladesh and India on May 16.Starring Indian actors Raima Sen, Indraneil Sengupta, Victor Banerjee, Pawan Malhotra, Tilottama Shome, and newcomers Rucha and Shatrunjay, besides the late Farooque Sheikh, the film, which has been directed by Mrityunjay Devvrat, reveals the pains and pangs of people, particularly women, revolving around the war between India and Pakistan that eventually led to the creation of the new nation of Bangladesh in 1971-72.

The film shows how Pakistani soldiers used rape as a weapon. The film depicts some heart-breaking scenes, incidents of ruthless torture and abuse of women According to Mrityunjay Devvrat, this subject has been brushed aside because of vested interests in powerful governments. He told the Bangladesh daily New Age over the weekend that he felt extremely compelled to tell the story to the world, and the primary purpose of making the film, was to honour the sacrifice of millions and to carry their cry for justice across the globe. The film, produced by Pencil Cell Movies, was originally titled "The Bastard Child", but was changed to "Children of War: Nine Months to Freedom" because of objections raised by the Indian Censor Board. However, the Bangladesh Censor Board has cleared the film without any cuts. In Bangladesh, the film has been dubbed in Bangla and will go with the title `Juddho Shishu`. Bengali sub-titles will appear on the screen, whenever the actors speak in Urdu, reports a leading daily. The Liberation War of 1971 claimed the lives of 30 lakh people and saw the rape of four lakh women. Actress Raima Sen, who worked continuously for 21 nights, said that she felt the trauma and the experience of repression of women subjected to brutalities at the hands of Pakistan troops 43 years ago. The film has been banned in Pakistan. Soumya Deorath, the film`s producer, said that ten per cent of the revenue, would be spent on the welfare of war babies across the world. Social media too has welcomed the forthcoming release of the film, with a majority describing it as pure genius and very realistic.