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Dhaliwood in '07

A year of revival

Ershad Kamol
The slump in 'Dhaliwood', the Dhaka-based mainstream film industry, seems to have improved in the year 2007.
In 2007, a total of 96 films had received approval from Bangladesh Film Production and Distribution Association (BFPDA). Of these only 19 were box office hits. However, the number of blockbusters is more encouraging than that of the previous years, informed a source. Only four substandard films got approval from BFPDA to be released outside Dhaka. The number of these films is certainly less than that of previous years. Five movies were premiered on TV channels and released at one theatre each in Dhaka city. Rest of the films were released at about 800 theatres in the country.
Last year began like its predecessors and the drought in Dhaliwood continued till June. The scenario started to change after FDC's (Film Development Corporation) initiatives against obscene films. The situation has dynamically improved after the successful drive against obscenity and piracy -- two major issues that Dhaliwood has been fighting - - with the help of the task force.
BFPDA source confirmed that prior to the task force's drive, films -- Andhokar Jibon, Swamir Shangsar, KhomotarGarom, Ghum Haram and Amar Praner Swami--were box office hits out of 66 movies. Fourteen movies became blockbusters out of 30 released films, since the task force has been raiding the possible places looking for "cut pieces' featuring obscene clips that are added to films, and officials are arresting individuals involved with such activities.
The office secretary of BFPDA, Mahbubul Islam, informed, "Decent family movies have made profitable business at the end of year, when obscenity was controlled by FDC. Many of the producers made over 35 prints of their films and received enormous response from the theatre agents, especially during the two Eids."
During the last quarter of the year movies such as Moner Shat hey Juddho, Kotha Dao Shathi Hobey, T\ii Jodi Amar Haiti Re, Maa Amar Swargo, Ei Je Duniya, Captain Maruf, Jiboner Cheye Dami, Kothin Prem, Beyain Shab, Shotru Shotru Kite la, Kabin Nama, Ulta Paha. Ek Bak Jala and Machinegun made reasonable profit.
After the successful mission, Managing Director of FDC, ANM Badrul Amin Informed, “To keep the ongoing trend of obscenity and violence in check, I talked to die actors, directors and producers early last year. I noticed that the all the renowned actors and directors arc against obscene films, which motivated me to oversee shooting of films in FDC. However, obscenity could not be totally controlled as many of the individuals in diis trade added the 'cut pieces' featuring vulgarity, after getting certificates from the Censor Board. Which is why, I requested die government to form a task force to take action against diis trend of'cut pieces' and arrest the people involved with this activity And now the genuine directors and producers in die movie industry are doing profitable business."
In fact, all the renowned directors, actors, technicians and producers have highly appreciated the latest actions against obscenity initiated by FDC. Many artistes, who left mainstream movies as a protest against vulgar films, are gradually making comebacks. They are hopeful that the movie industry will see better days again.
Claiming the step against vulgarity the beginning of a 'new era', Vice President of Bangladesh Film Direc-
tors Association (Bl'DA), filmmaker Sohanur Rahman Sohan said, "Dur ing die last few months only the decent, entertaining family films have done profitable business. Women are the major viewers of this genre. This Indicates that women are coming back to theatres and as a result the number of moviegoers is also increasing."
Actor SM Aslam AKA Manna, the current general secretary of Bangla dosh Chalachchitra Shilpi Shomity, said. "2007 has been a significant year for me and other renowned actors and directors. Nine movies, in which I played die protagonists, became blockbusters and each of these films made about at least Tk one crore profit each.”
To turn Dhaliwood into a cash cow again, producers and directors demand renovation of theatres and stern actions against piracy.
Commenting on the state of film industry in near future, Dhaliwood sources predict that the number of released movies will go down, but the quality of movies will improve. Manna said, "To make a quality movie, one needs to invest around Tk one crore. Earlier several 'film directors', casting 'extras', used to make many low-budget substandard movies that would invariably contain vulgar scenes. After the massive drive by the government, we believe, only the 'authentic' film people will survive in the industry."
Nasiruddin Dilu, president of BFPDA, also considers the strike against vulgarity as a major cause of the possible decrease in the numbers of films. He finds some other factors in the issue as well. He said, "As FDC has stopped providing services in credit, a producer now needs readily available cash to make a film. Only the big investors are producing films now.”
With the ongoing onslaught on obscenity and piracy, each and every individual of Dhaliwood is hopeful for better days.