Asif Akbar lends voice to film songs penned and composed by Kabir Suman

Singer Asif Akbar is set to return to the big screen with a new set of film songs—this time created by celebrated singer-songwriter Kabir Suman. The collaboration marks the first time Suman has written and composed songs for a Bangladeshi film.

The songs will feature in the upcoming family drama “Jhamela”, directed by Yamin Ilan. The film will include six songs in total, three of which are written and composed by Kabir Suman. Music direction has been handled by Ujjal Sinha and Azmir Babu, while all six tracks have been sung solo by Asif Akbar.

Asif Akbar’s musical association with Kabir Suman spans several years. A longtime admirer of Suman’s work since childhood, Asif had earlier expressed his desire to sing songs written and composed by him. Suman, impressed by Asif’s vocal style, went on to create multiple songs for the singer, including “Siriyar Chele”, “Poroa Kori Na”, “Amar Ekar Noy”, “Ekusher February’r Dak”, “Ei Akbar Oi Suman”, “Lukono Manik”, “Sundorkei Mani” and “Ekhono Shei Asif Ami”. Those tracks were released a few years ago and received wide appreciation.

While Kabir Suman has performed in Dhaka several times and enjoys a strong fan following in Bangladesh, his work had never before appeared in a Bangladeshi feature film. That gap is now being bridged through “Jhamela”, making it a significant milestone for both artistes.

Notably, Asif Akbar has sung all the songs in the film as solo tracks, continuing a trend he followed earlier in films such as “Rani Kuthir Baki Itihash” and “Gohiner Gaan”, where he performed the entire soundtrack.

Produced under the banner of Dia Productions, the film is being produced by Dia Rais. The cast includes Dolly Zahur, Shyamal Mawla, Tanjika Amin, Rashed Mamun Apu, Kazi Nawshaba Ahmed, Abu Huraira Tanvir, Abdullah Rana, Saberi Alam, Iqbal Hossain, along with several others.

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Director Yamin Ilan described the project as a fully original Bangladeshi film rooted in family dynamics. “This is not inspired by Tamil or Indian cinema. The story is entirely our own and deeply family-oriented. Two shooting schedules have already been completed, with filming currently underway in Dhaka and Gazipur,” he said.

The makers are planning to release “Jhamela” during one of the upcoming Eid festivals this year.