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The highs and lows of the film industry in 2020
Shah Alam Shazu
Cinema halls across Bangladesh, much like most countries of the world, had their lights out for most of 2020, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. Only 11 new, Bangladeshi films were released this year. All cinema halls were closed down from March 18.
Single-screen theatres have seen a drastic decline in numbers over the last two decades, and the 70-odd in the country that were in operation, have missed out on the three big occasions, where mainstream movies make business – Pahela Baishakh, Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha – as people were confined to their homes to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
After over six months of inactivity, cinema halls across the country were permitted to reopen from October 16. However, most movie theatres, including Modhumita Cinema Hall, are still not ready to open. Meanwhile, Jashore’s Monihar, one of the most popular movie theatres of the country, celebrated its 37th anniversary this year.
Before movie theatres were closed down, noted director Kazi Hayat’s “Bir” was released on February 14, and Shamim Ahamed Roni’s “Shahenshah” was released on March 6. These two films feature Shakib Khan in the lead role.
Despite resuming operations, cinema halls remained heavily reliant on reruns of old films, as no producers were willing to take risks with new, big-budget movies.
Masud Hasan Ujjal’s first film, “Unoponchash Batash,” was set to release in March, but it was delayed indefinitely due to the pandemic. After seven months, “Unoponchash Batash,” produced by Red October Films, hit theatres on October 23. Noted television director Chayanika Chowdhury’s debut film, “Bishwoshundori” and Ekushey Padak winner Tanvir Mokammel’s seventh feature film, “Rupsha Nodir Baanke” (Quiet Flows the River Rupsha), were released on December 11. Anonno Mamun’s “Nabab LLB”, starring Shakib Khan, was released on the online platform, iTheatre, on December 16. The Gazi Rakayet directorial “The Grave” was released on December 25, the last Friday of the year.
On the other hand, the third and fourth floors of the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) were demolished to make way for a new, fifteen-storeyed building. The new building will consist of an auditorium, a residential hotel, shooting spots, a cinema theatre, a bank and a food court. It will also have offices for insurance organisations, film producers and television channels, along with a three-storeyed parking lot in the basement.
Due to various allegations, Bangladesh Cholochitro Shilpi Samity President Misha Sawdagar and General Secretary Zayed Khan were boycotted by 18 organisations. The organisations held a meeting, where they came to a decision to send a written application to BFDC’s MD -- to strengthen the ban on Misha Sawdagar and bar Zayed Khan from entering its premises altogether. The actions were on the basis of Misha Sawdagor’s irresponsibility, going to the USA before clearing previous allegations, and Zayed Khan’s anti-interest activities against artistes that could result in confrontation if he enters the BFDC premises.
Moreover, this year, elections for the new committee of the Bangladesh Film Directors Association were cancelled due to the pandemic, and shifted to next year.
At the end of the year, the activities of the present committee of the Bangladesh Film Producers and Distributors Association were suspended by an order of the Ministry of Commerce, which has been upheld by the High Court.
Many artistes, including Shakib Khan, Sadika Parvin Popy, Mosharraf Karim, Nusrat Imrose Tisha, Mahiya Mahi, and Bappy Chowdhury, steadily returned to shooting during the pandemic, and started adapting to the ‘new normal’. The actors, production team and crew members followed strict safety and hygiene rules on the sets and at home.
Dighi, who has worked as a child artiste before, is set to play the lead role in the film, “Tungiparar Mia Bhai”, opposite Shanto Khan. Directed by Shamim Ahamed Roni, the film was shot at BFDC and several other locations.
Mosharraf Karim and Tarin are preparing for their first ever Bangladesh-India joint production, “Dictionary”, directed by Bratya Basu. After a long hiatus, celebrated actor Riaz is set to return to films with Dipankar Dipon’s “Operation Sundarban”.
The governments of Bangladesh and India are jointly producing a feature film based on the life and works of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Arifin Shuvoo has been cast to play Bangabandhu. The movie, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Shyam Benegal, went on the floors this year.
Jaya Ahsan won the award for Best Lead Actress in a Foreign Language Film, for “Robibaar” at the Madrid International Film Festival. Popular actor Pori Moni was the only Bangladeshi included in Forbes Asia magazine’s ‘100 Digital Stars’ list. The Lifetime Achievement Awards at the National Film Awards 2019 will be given to renowned actors Masud Parvez (Sohel Rana) and Kohinoor Akhter Suchanda for their incredible contribution to the Bangladeshi film fraternity.
On the other hand, noted actor Salma Begum Sujata was hospitalised after she suffered from a severe heart attack. Popular film actor and ruling Awami League lawmaker for Dhaka-17 constituency Farooque tested positive for Covid-19. Earlier, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Six members of Nayakraj Razzak’s family, including his sons Bapparaj and Samrat who are both actors, their wives and children, tested positive for Covid-19 too.
Siam Ahmed, Pori Moni and Bidya Sinha Mim were the busiest actors of the year, despite the challenges faced by the film industry.
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Translated by Shababa Iqbal