Tele-film Nayika (the lone flower) on HIV/AIDS was premiered at the Star Cineplex at Basundhara Shopping Complex in the city on Saturday.

Director of the film Afzal Hossain, protagonists –– Mousumi and Mahfuz –– officials from the government and non-government organisations, among others, were present at the premiere of the film.

The film, based on the story of the late eminent playwright Selim Al-Deen, was focused on creating awareness on HIV/AIDS.

In the story a Dhaka-based filmmaking organisation searches for a heroine for a film on HIV/AIDS. They invite a competition for the role. Sarmin Sultana Mishti, a mufassil girl who was played by the popular actor Mousumi, is selected for the role. But her father does not allow his only child to perform in a film. He arranges wedding for her with an expatriate man in Canada.

One night Mishti leaves her house and comes to Dhaka for performing in the film. On the way she gets support from her villager Sujon, performed by Mahfuz. He loves Mishti and helps her to escape from her house.

At the end of the film, Mishti takes part in shooting and earns acclaims from the art aficionados in the city. Mishti’s parents also appreciate her determination to work for human welfare.

Interestingly, the film which aims to create HIV/AIDS awareness would fulfil its purpose very marginally, since information about the disease is very slight. Sujon, in a scene, tells his inmates in a custody how the disease spreads and that is all the information about HIV/AIDS that one gets.

The director presents Mousumi as a student of HSC which does not match the actor.

This film is supported by the government directorate of health, Global Fund and Save the Children, USA.