Molla Sagar

Molla Sagar (; born 1975) is a Bangladeshi documentary filmmaker, cinematographer and photographer. He has directed documentaries on the Phulbari coal movement, jute mill closures, river-based rituals, and the life of a centenarian model at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka. Sagar was featured as a Filmmaker in Focus at the 21st Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival, alongside Naeem Mohaiemen.

Early life and education

Sagar was born in 1975 in Fakirhat, Bagerhat District, Bangladesh. He grew up on the banks of the Bhairav river. He studied graphic design at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka. For eight years, painting was his primary medium of expression. During his second year, he began learning photography and held four solo photography exhibitions.

Career

Documentary filmmaking

Sagar's documentary career began in 2002 with O Pakhi, a film examining the killing of migratory birds in southern Bangladesh. He has cited Ritwik Ghatak as an influence on his cinematic approach.

Dudh Koyla (also spelled Doodh Koila) (2006–2007) documents the Phulbari coal movement in Dinajpur, focusing on the Santal community whose land was acquired for open-cast mining. The film was screened to an audience of over 40,000 people, many from the mining community.

Siren (2012) focuses on the closure of jute mills in Khalishpur, Khulna, and the economic uncertainty faced by workers. Gangaburi (2009) documents the ritual of Ganga Puja and the spiritual relationship between people and the Buriganga river.

Dadu (2016) portrays the life of Momin Ali Mridha, a long-time model at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka.

Bhabar Bhita – The Home That Held Bhaba

Sagar's film Bhabar Bhita (also titled Bhobar Vita and Vober Vita) traces his search for Ritwik Ghatak's ancestral home in Puran Dhaka. He filmed over 250 hours of footage over three years, which he condensed into a 30-minute film. The film had its World Festival Premiere at the 21st Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival in 2026.

Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival 2026

The 21st Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival took place from 20 to 22 March 2026 at The Maltings Cinema at Berwick Barracks and the Town Hall. Sagar was featured as a Filmmaker in Focus at the festival, alongside Naeem Mohaiemen. The programme featured five European Premieres, one UK premiere and one World Festival Premiere of their works. Mohaiemen curated a selection of Sagar's films that he considered to be in dialogue with his own, reflecting two decades of friendship and conversation between the two Bangladeshi filmmakers.

Selected screenings and exhibitions

In February 2026, Bengal Foundation screened four of Sagar's films—Dudh Koyla, Siren, Gangaburi, and Dadu—at Bengal Shilpalay in Dhaka. In July 2025, Counter Foto exhibited Bhabar Bhita. His film Joy Bangla was screened at the National Museum in 2014 as part of the Shahbag Andoloner Chalochitra event, marking the first anniversary of the Shahbag protests.

Filmography