‘Anni’ makes global debut in Germany

The world premiere of Bangladeshi mini-series Anni was held on Tuesday at Theatre 3 of the Cinenova venue in Cologne, Germany, while its official trailer was released just hours earlier, offering viewers a glimpse into a dark and suspense-filled story led by actress Nazifa Tushi.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Abdullah Mohammad Saad, Anni has become the first Bangladeshi series selected for the prestigious ‘Women in Series’ section of the Seriencamp Festival.

In the series, Nazifa Tushi plays the titular character Anni, a young nurse struggling to support and protect her five siblings. Following a brutal attack, her life takes a dramatic turn, leading her into a world shaped by trauma, anger and a growing desire for revenge.

The newly released trailer introduces audiences to a dystopian and unsettling narrative, highlighting Anni's personal battles as she confronts both internal conflicts and the violence surrounding her.

Tushi, who gained widespread recognition through the film Hawa and recently received praise for Pressure Cooker during Eid-ul-Fitr, appears in yet another transformative role. Her latest appearance in the Eid-ul-Azha release Roid has also drawn significant attention.

Alongside Tushi, the series features performances by Yash Rohan, Simon Sadik, Sarika Sabrin, Farhana Mithu and Nazah, among others.

Although the cast and crew had completed preparations to attend the world premiere, visa complications prevented them from travelling to Germany. However, they are expected to participate in a virtual question-and-answer session with international audiences.

Producer Ehsanul Haque Babu expressed disappointment over the team's absence from the festival but said the quality of the work would ultimately represent Bangladesh on the global stage.

According to the production team, Anni has been crafted as a chamber drama and, like Saad's previous works, explores themes of gender inequality, distrust and social violence. By intertwining personal trauma with broader social realities, the creators believe the series will resonate with audiences both at home and abroad.

TZ