Footprint Production's journey of making films against odds

With films such as Sinpaat, Shaaticup and Delupi, Rajshahi-based Footprint Film Production has earned a strong response from film lovers in Bangladesh in recent years. But how does a film production house based outside Dhaka make ambitious films with limited resources and tight budgets? For the Footprint team, the answer lies partly in a simple philosophy: get things done with what you have. At a day-long conversation on the production house's creative practices and filmmaking process, the team members spoke about how resource constraints have shaped their work rather than simply limited it. They said working with what was available had taught them to find practical ways around challenges and complete projects despite financial and logistical limitations. The event, organised by Dhaka New Cinema, a collaborative platform exploring cinema, brought together film lovers and young filmmakers at SHALA Neighbourhood Art Space in Dhaka on Tuesday. Speaking at the event, director and cinematographer Mohammad Touqir Islam said his technical training at an international film school had equipped him to independently handle cinematography in the regional context. To minimise expenses, the house established their headquarters in a residential building that serves as an office, writing room and recording studio in Rajshahi, he said. Producer and writer Amit Rudra said a prominent production house demanded a large share of ownership when Footprint approached it for collaboration, seeking control over distribution. The team rejected the offer after the house insisted on changing the production's title and censoring regional dialogue to make it more marketable, he said. The decision left the team in severe financial distress, but the struggle also opened new opportunities to connect with people for future projects, he added. Costume designer Sathi Akter said that active members of the crew routinely performed multiple roles, often acting in scenes whilst simultaneously managing art direction and production logistics. Due to the lack of funds, the crew created makeup using domestic materials such as mustard oil and soot, she mentioned. The members concluded that regional filmmaking could be made sustainable when artists remain focused on collective resourcefulness. A special screening of the house's latest film Delupi was also held at the same venue.