Punorjonmo Universe

Punorjonmo (Bengali: পুনর্জন্ম, lit. 'The rebirth') is a Bangladeshi fictional universe and series of television specials and web films created by Vicky Zahed. The universe was established by crossing over common plot elements, settings, cast, and characters.

Punorjonmo
Poster
Created by	Vicky Zahed
Original work	Punorjonmo (July 2021)
Owner	Vicky Zahed
Years	2021–present
Films and television
Film(s)	Shuklopokkho
Television special(s)	Punorjonmo TV specials

Development

In July 2021, a television special called Punorjonmo by Vicky Zahed became popular after it was aired on Channel i. Later its sequel Punorjonmo 2 was produced. A web film named Shuklopokkho was made soon after which connected the story of Punorjonmo series. In September 2022, Vicky Zahed told the Bangla Tribune about his plan to create the "Punorjonmo Universe". He said that characters from Shuklopokkho and Punorjonmo series will be seen in Punorjonmo 3.^[1] Punorjonmo 3 was released on 1 October 2022. Director Vicky Zahed told Prothom Alo on 27 October 2022 that Punorjonmo: Antim Porbo, the last sequel, will probably come in Eid-ul-adha. Punorjonmo: Antim Porbo was later released on 30 June 2023.

Television specials

TV special	Release date	Director(s)	Ref.
Punorjonmo	25 July 2021	Vicky Zahed	[2]
Punorjonmo 2	1 October 2021	Vicky Zahed
Punorjonmo 3	2 October 2022	Vicky Zahed
Punorjonmo: Antim Porbo	30 June 2023	Vicky Zahed	[3]
Hajot	24 June 2024	Vicky Zahed

Punorjonmo 1

After the airing of the first part, the audience demanded its sequel.^[4]

Punorjonmo 2

After the popularity of Punorjonmo 1, Channel i aired its sequel on 1 October 2021. Apart from the characters of the previous special, Shahed Ali acted in this sequel.^[5] The sequel received over 2 million views on YouTube between October 1–4.^[4] It is known that Vicky Zahid spent one and a half months writing the story of the sequel.^[6]

Punorjonmo 3

While filming Punorjonmo 2, Vicky Zahid wanted to make Punorjonmo 3. So when the second sequel became popular after airing, he discussed with the crew and actors and announced the next sequel.^[7] It was filmed from 16 to 18 September 2022.^[1] It got 2 million views in the day of its release and became the top video in the Bangladesh's trending category on YouTube.^[8]

Punorjonmo Antim Porbo

Director Vicky Zahed told Prothom Alo on 30 October 2022 that Punorjonmo: Antim Porbo, the last sequel, will probably come on Eid-ul-Fitr 2023.^[3] Punorjonmo: Antim Porbo was released on 30 June 2023 on Channel i^[9]

Hajot

It's a prequel of Punorjonmo series, story of Rafshan Hoque's father.

Film

Film	Release date	Director(s)	Ref.
Shuklopokkho	11 August 2022	Vicky Zahed	[10]

Shuklopokkho

On 11 August 2022, Punorjonmo Universe's web thriller film Shuklopokkho was released in Chorki. In this 96-minute web film, three university students go missing. So Manju, the character of the film, starts worrying about his lover Laboni.^[11]

Series

Series	Release date	Director(s)	Ref.
Punorjonmo: Director's Cut (Total 11 episode's)[12]	17 August 2023	Vicky Zahed	[13]
Untitled Spin-off	TBA	Vicky Zahed	[14]

Punorjonmo: Director's Cut

On 10 August, Channel I announced that they will release the Director's cut version of Punorjonmo series. The all parts of the universe will air together in a series of 11 eposode's form on their OTT platform iScreen. The series was aired on iScreen on 17 August 2023.^[13][12]

Unitiled Spin-off Series

After the release of Punorjonmo: Antim Porbo, audience was confused and had many questions after the end of the last sequel. Then director Vicky Zahed said that the universe will get a "Rafsan Haque" web series that will be available on iScreen.^[14]

Cast and characters

• Afran Nisho as chef Rafsan Haque
• Imam Hossain Saju as Raju, a voice
• Mehazabien Chowdhury as Nila Haque, Rafsan's wife/Rokeya
• Khairul Basar as Niloy/Manju
• Shahed Ali as Nuru, Rafsan's driver
• Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed as Borsha, Rafsan's younger sister
• Abdullah Al Sentu as Kamal, a serial killer
• Faruque Ahmed as Idris Ali
• Ziaul Roshan as Humayun
• Sunerah Binte Kamal as Laboni
• Sharif Siraj as OC Kamrul

Soundtracks

Title track: Drohe Jole Pure

• Performed by Ajoy Roy and Jarin Tasnim Ratri
• Track produced by Tamal Hadiul
• Lyric and composed by Mahmud Hayat Arpon

Controversy

In 2023, Mahreen Ferdous alleged that Punorjonmo 3 was plagiarized from a story in her book Golpogulo Bari Geche. Vicky Zaheed on the other hand claimed that the story of Punorjonmo 3 coincidentally coincided with the story of Ferdous.^[15]

Reception

Punorjonmo 1 and 2 became popular with viewers after their telecast on Channel i. Punorjonmo series uploaded to YouTube are given English subtitles due to response from foreign viewers. According to Channel i officials, both the specials have received a lot of positive reactions.^[16] According to Shah Alam Saju of The Daily Star, its TV specials were among the hottest TV works of 2021.^[17]

Awards

Year	Award Title	Category	Awardee	Result	Ref
2021	2nd ICT–Channel i Digital Media Awards	Best Drama Director	Vicky Zahed	Won	[18]
		Best Actress	Mehazabien Chowdhury	Won
	Meril-Prothom Alo Awards	Best Television Actor	Afran Nisho	Won	[19]