For the last 42 years, cultural exchange in the field of cinema between the two Bengals, has been at a virtual standstill. The release of Matir Moina in West Bengal will hopefully open a window of opportunity for further cultural exchange between Bangladesh and India, particularly between the two Bengals.

Matir Moina received the Indian government's censor certificate last month. Major Kolkata art theatre Nandan has formally confirmed the film's release date. In addition, the film will later run at several other theatres in Kolkata as well as other parts of greater West Bengal. In this connection a press conference will be held in Kolkata on July 21. Eminent filmmakers Mrinal Sen, Gautam Ghose, and Anjan Dutta, among others are scheduled to attend the event. Kolkata-based distributor Digimagic Films will be handling the release of Matir Moina in West Bengal. Discussions are currently underway with distributors for a wider Indian release of the film in major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.

Although since 1965 there has been virtually no official exchange of films between India and Bangladesh, no government ordinance, gazette or law bars this exchange. Pakistan and India have recently relaxed restrictions on cross-border cinema exchange, and last year Pakistan's award-winning film Khamosh Pani had a successful commercial release in India.

In connection with the release of a Bangladeshi film for the first time in India, filmmaker Tareque Masud said, "As an alternative to the one-sided dominance of Hollywood-Bollywood cinema, this effort will hopefully initiate a healthy competition in regional cinema, particularly between the two Bengals." Tareque Masud also emphasised the importance of expanding cultural ties between West Bengal and Bangladesh, as an extension of the greater economic and geographic connectivity that the Moitree train link will soon introduce.