Kittonkhola (2000) by Abu Sayeed

There was a village fair in the bank of the river Kittonkhola. Shoppers have brought different kinds of products in their temporary shops which can attract customers. The girls from gypsy tribe Bede have anchored their fleet of boats near the fair to sell their items like wrist-rings, ribbons and offers of exorcism in the fair. The main attraction of the fair is a Jatra troupe ‘Adi Mahua Opera’. Gambling and local narcotics have been brought as the part of the fair. Idu Contractor, the feudal lord of the village is the organizer and owner of the fair.
A simple and easy youth Sonai falls in love with Bede-girl Dalimon at the first sight. On the other hand, Idu Contractor wants Banasreebala, the actress of the Jatra troupe in his bed. The owner of the troupe Subal Das agrees with Idu to send Banasreebala, who has joined the troupe from brothel for a better life. The actor Ravi Das and Chhaya protest against Subal and asked him not to send her to Idu. Both the actors love Banasreebala and the actress also dreams to marry someone. But an actress with brothel and Jatra background cannot find her way of better life. She commits suicide and the simple villager Sonai as well doesn’t get the Bede-girl Dalimon because of rigid caste system maintained by Bede leaders. Meanwhile Sonai looses all his money and lands in the gambling by the conspiracy of Idu who sees Sonai’s lands lucrative. Jatra troupe members like Chhaya, who are predominantly Hindu in religion, wants to join majority Muslims by converting himself and Bede members, who are predominantly Muslims, want to leave their boat-life for better life.
Based on a play by eminent play-writer Selim Al Din, Kittonkhola deals with the identity struggle of villagers, Bede-Caste people and Jatra-troup members, especially their ethnic, religious and gender identity has been constructed in the film.
The film received national awards in nine categories including best film and best director.