Nona Pani has been selected under Asian Select (NETPAC). The director Syeda Neegar Banu graced the press conference at the 29^th Kolkata International Film Festival and spoke at lengths about the film.

The director is an independent filmmaker. She works as the director of Parallel Cine Movement (PCM), Khulna. It is the leading organization for fostering Gono cinema film institute in Bangladesh. She has made more than 20 films as director and scriptwriter.

Nona Pani (Barren Waters) began in 2013 and was her debut feature film. The film took more than 9 years to complete due to financial problems. However, her relentless pursuit helped her to complete the film.

The story is about people who do not have a story worth telling. The film shows rural characters who want to lead a life but have no command over their destiny. Romba, Doshpai, and Krishna showcase life in the village of Botkhali, near the Sunderbans in Bangladesh. The lives of the three protagonists are intertwined with one another.

The film has a non-linear narrative.

The cast of the film consists of Bilkis Banu Jaba, Md. Hridoy, Rubol Lodi and Jayanta Chattopadhyay. Maximum actors in the film are from a theatre background. The director organized a language workshop for them.

The music of the film has been composed by Syed Shabab Ali Arzoo.

Nona Pani is 125 minutes long.

Priyanka Dutta