A short film titled Room Number 2011, created to honour the memory of Abrar Fahad, is set to premiere at Jahangirnagar University on December 3. The film had its first screening in the United States on November 30.
Directed by Sheikh Jisan Ahmed, a student of Jahangirnagar University, the project brought together nearly 100 students who participated as actors. This is Jisan's first fiction film, though he previously gained recognition for recreating iconic scenes from popular films like Monpura and 3 Idiots.
Room Number 2011 is inspired by the tragic death of Abrar Fahad, a second-year Electrical Engineering student at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). On October 7, 2019, Abrar was brutally killed in his dormitory, Sher-e-Bangla Hall, by members of the former ruling party's student wing. This incident shocked the nation, leading to widespread protests and a prolonged legal battle for justice.
Although not a biopic, the film creatively portrays true events. Jisan shared, “The story draws inspiration from the tragedy of Abrar Fahad. We consulted Abrar's family, friends, and relatives to ensure we captured the essence of his story.”
With a runtime of 20-25 minutes, the film was shot on the Jahangirnagar University campus rather than BUET. Explaining this choice, Jisan said, “Our campus has similarities with BUET. Once viewers watch the film, they will see the resemblance. We focused on faithfully depicting the story’s essence rather than replicating the location.”
The film seeks to honour Abrar's memory while shedding light on the harrowing events that deeply impacted Bangladesh's academic and social landscape. Room Number 2011 stands as a tribute to a life lost too soon and a call for reflection on the need for justice and change.
