Entertainment Correspondent
As in many parts of the world, Bangladesh has been deeply invested in the recent U.S. presidential election. Due to various political dynamics, Bangladeshis found themselves divided between former President Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.
In Bangladesh, Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who leads the interim government, supported Harris. Known as a friend of Hillary Clinton, Yunus has strong connections within the Democratic Party. His leadership played a role in removing the democratic Awami League government in what he described as a “well-organized” revolution. His supporters were hopeful that a Harris presidency would increase his influence in Bangladesh.
Conversely, pro-Awami League supporters and advocates for democracy were rooting for Trump’s victory, hoping it would limit Yunus’s power and pave the way for the return of Sheikh Hasina’s government. For many minorities in Bangladesh, who feel oppressed under Yunus’s administration, Trump was seen as their last hope. Thus, Trump’s win brought a wave of joy to many in Bangladesh.
This celebration took on a unique twist on social media, where many Bangladeshis referenced a classic 1990s film, Komolar Bonobash (“Kamala’s Exile”), as a metaphor for Harris’s loss. The folk film tells the tragic story of a woman named Komola who is sent into exile, and Bangladeshis used the film’s poster and title to suggest Harris’s “exile” from the White House.
Actress Bijori Barkatullah and others posted on Facebook with the phrase “Komolar Bonobash,” accompanied by a sad emoji. Her post alone received over 2,800 reactions and more than 350 comments. By Wednesday afternoon, the phrase “Komolar Bonobash” had been mentioned more than 10,000 times on Facebook, trending as “Popular Now.”
Komolar Bonobash has been a cherished film and has inspired numerous folk performances, especially popular among rural audiences who resonate with the character Komola.
The film’s Dhaka version was directed by Feroze Al Mamun, featuring Anwar Sharif, Rebecca, and Nasir Khan, while a Kolkata version directed by Swapan Saha starred Tapas Pal and Shatabdi Roy.
Young singer Ayon Chakladar joined the trend with lyrics from a famous song, posting, “Tomra dekho go ashiya, Komolay nritya kore thomkiya thomkiya.”
Even Bangladesh’s state television station BTV shared a folk song from Komolar Bonobash on Facebook, featuring the legendary folk artist Kuddus Boyati.
The revival of this 90s classic in the context of the U.S. election highlights how global events influence local culture and media.