Adventure of Sundarbans (2023) [Movie Review]: A Meaningful Bangladeshi Children’s Film

A heartfelt, family-ready eco-adventure that sometimes stumbles in execution but succeeds in spirit. Adventure of Sundarbans is a warm, earnest adaptation of Muhammad Zafar Iqbal’s beloved story — a worthwhile watch for children and families.

What the film is — A Sundarbans narrative for young viewers

Director Abu Raihan Mohammad Jewel brings Zafar Iqbal’s Ratuler Raat Ratuler Din to the screen with affectionate fidelity. Framed as an educational expedition gone awry, the film mixes kid-centric thrills, local color, and environmental messaging as a group of children — guided by volunteers Ratul (Siam Ahmed) and Trisha (Pori Moni) — face natural dangers and human threats among the mangroves.

Direction & screenplay — A debut with enormous ambitions

As a directorial debut, Jewel’s film shows confident instincts for staging outdoor adventure: boat sequences, tidal peril, and jungle suspense are handled with clarity and a sense of scale unusual for contemporary Bangladeshi children’s cinema. The screenplay trims and reshapes source-material beats to fit a 1 hour 57 minute runtime, prioritizing momentum over deep subplot development. At times, the pacing feels rushed, but the decision to keep scenes lean helps maintain excitement for younger viewers.

Performances — Youthful energy meets veteran steadiness

Siam Ahmed and Pori Moni anchor the film with approachable, serviceable turns; they play protectors rather than showpieces, letting their chemistry support the children’s arc. The ensemble of child actors — especially Russell Farazi and Maimuna Islam Medha — carries the emotional weight admirably, selling bravery and teamwork with winning sincerity. Veteran supporting players provide texture, though adults are deliberately sidelined so the youngsters can lead the adventure.

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Visuals & sound — Sundarbans on screen

Cinematography captures the Sundarbans’ layered beauty: tangled roots, shifting tides, and wide river vistas. The filmmakers responsibly stage wildlife and remote-location shoots while using sound design and a lively soundtrack (including memorable songs such as “Aay Aay Shob Taratari”) to heighten suspense and wonder. Production values occasionally show budget limits, but creative framing and location work help the film punch above its weight.

Themes & what it teaches — Conservation, courage, community

Where Adventure of Sundarbans truly succeeds is its heart: environmental stewardship and cooperative problem-solving are threaded throughout without becoming didactic. Pirate antagonists and tidal peril serve as a backdrop for lessons about empathy, curiosity, and the importance of protecting a fragile UNESCO-listed ecosystem. The film encourages children to read, explore, and respect nature — noble aims rendered in entertaining form.

Criticisms — Flaws that matter

The movie’s weaknesses are mostly structural. A thin screenplay leaves some character moments undercooked, and occasional tonal slips make the film wobble between light family fun and higher-stakes thriller. Its modest box-office reach and uneven humor suggest the industry still needs stronger support for large-scale children’s cinema. Nevertheless, these flaws rarely derail the central adventure.

Who should watch — Audience guide

Families, school groups, and fans of Zafar Iqbal’s books will find Adventure of Sundarbans enjoyable and instructive. It’s especially well-suited to children aged 7–14 and viewers interested in eco-themed stories rooted in Bangladeshi landscapes and culture.

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Final Thought — A sincere step forward for local children’s film

Adventure of Sundarbans may not be flawless, but it’s a sincere and often charming attempt to fuse thrilling adventure with environmental consciousness. Abu Raihan Jewel’s debut signals potential for bolder, better-funded children’s films in Bangladesh — and for viewers, it’s a pleasant, educational outing into one of the country’s most iconic natural treasures.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)