Hawa OTT release date: When and where to watch Bangladesh's official entry to the Oscar online

The much-appreciated Bangladeshi film Hawa, which was Bangladesh's nomination to the 95th Oscar under the Best International Feature Film category, is now releasing digitally on SonyLIV on July 7.

The story of the film revolves around a group of seasoned boatmen who find an unheard-of catch in the deep sea: a beautiful yet mysterious young woman. Tension rises along with mistrust and misfortune when the mystery surrounding the woman gradually starts to reveal deadly consequences. The female character named Gulti is played by the actress Nazifa Tushi. Chanchal Chowdhury, a well-known Bangladeshi actor, plays the boatman Chaan Majhi.

The film was released theatrically on July 29, 2022, in Bangladesh and eventually screened in India and at various film festivals.

Mejbaur Rahman Sumon is the film's director. In the past, during an interaction with OTTplay, when the filmmaker was asked about the inception of the story of the film, Mejbaur said, "I am very scared of snakes. Many years ago, in Gulshan, I met a bedini (gypsy woman). Traditionally, they scare people with snakes and ask for money. She scared me too. That’s when I realised that traditional professions are slowly going into oblivion. Modernism usurps the livelihood of the Bedini community, Kobi Gaan artists, etc. While writing the script, I realised Hawa also has influences from Manasamangal. Manasa sinks Chand Sadagar’s ship. In Hawa, Gulti has Manasa’s impression. With Iba’s death, she loses everything. Taking a cue from Behula Lokhinder, it becomes a story of Gulti’s loss."

Produced by Sun Music and Motion Pictures Limited, Hawa also features Sariful Islam Razz, Sumon Anowar, Nasir Uddin Khan, Shohel Mondol, Rizvi Rizu, Mahmud Alam, and Bablu Bose, among others, in pivotal roles.