“The film will be released in 32 theatres. We have talked to the Film Artistes Association and they all agree with the decision” – Anonno Mamun

ANTARA RAISA

After much speculation and controversy, Shah Rukh Khan’s blockbuster comeback Pathaan will finally release in Bangladesh on May 12. The film received clearance from the Bangladesh Film Censor Board yesterday.

After the Information and Broadcasting Ministry green-lighted the import of 10 Hindi films this year under certain conditions, artistes and distributors weighed in with their opinions.

While hall owners and distributors are happy with the release of Pathaan , some artistes are still opposed to the idea of releasing Hindi films in our theatres.

Pathaan is being imported to Bangladesh by Action-Cut Entertainment. Speaking on behalf of the company, Anonno Mamun informed The Daily Star, “The film will be released in 32 theatres. We have talked to the Film Artistes Association, and they all agree with the decision.”

“Those who are opposing the idea, I want to tell them to be patient and see what impact it will bring to our film industry. Releasing Hindi films will make the audience come back to the theaters again, and it would also make a good impact on Bengali films too,” he added.

Star Cineplex is one of the leading multiplexes in Bangladesh. Since 2004, the multiplex has entertained audiences by releasing Hollywood and Bengali films.

“We are quite elated about the release of Pathaan on May 12. We have 20 screens across the country. So, we always look forward to good content that can bring the audience to the halls. In our country, we have huge demand for Bollywood films, especially Shah Rukh Khan films. So, I think this is a great initiative,” said Mesbah Uddin, Manager, Media & Marketing at Star Cineplex.

While talking about what impact it would have on our film industry, he said, “This will be a good thing for our film industry. It will create competition, which will increase the quality of Bangla films. Moreover, it will build a practice of going to cinema halls with friends and family among the audience. Our halls will be rejuvenated.”

During this Eid ul Fitr, a total of 8 films were released in theaters. Among them, Shakib Khan starrer Leader Amie Bangladesh , Puja Chery starrer Jinn , Bubly-Ador Azad starrer Local and Bobby-Roshan starrer Paap are still going strong at the box office.

The Daily Star asked Bobby, Roshan, and Ador Azad if the release of Pathaan could hamper the business of their films.

Bobby thinks if Bollywood films are released in Bangladesh, then it would increase the cinema halls in our country.

“I think the quality of our Bengali films will increase if there is healthy competition in the industry. As the whole world is now in the palm of our hands, then why can’t the Hindi films be released here?” she asked.

However, Bobby also requested the distributors not release Hindi films on any special occasions when our Bengali films are released.

“There is no problem if any foreign films are released in our theaters,” said Roshan. “This Eid, the audience watched Bengali movies, overlooking Hollywood films. This proves that if Hindi movies are released, we will be fine.”

Echoing the same sentiment, actor Ador Azad is also not that worried. He thinks the government has taken a good initiative to create healthy competition in our industry.

Due to the release of eight films this Eid, more than 100 halls, that were previously closed, were reopened this year—outside the existing 60 halls in the country.

Iftekhar Uddin Nawshad, owner of Madhumita Cinema Hall, thinks that it’s a very good initiative to save the single screens in our country.

“We were telling the government to let us import Hindi films for a long time because, except for special occasions, it gets difficult for us to run empty halls. Finally, the release of Hindi films will save the dying single screens of our country, because now they will have enough films to run during the off-seasons,” said Nawshad.

Not everyone is pleased with this decision. Among many who raised concerns about the impact on local releases, Jaago famed director Khijir Hayat Khan was the most outspoken. He told the media that bringing Hindi cinema to the country would actually damage the Bangladeshi film industry.

Prior to the release of his film, Khijir Hayat Khan posted a video on his YouTube channel addressing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, about how the release of Hindi cinema in our country could damage the business of Bangladeshi cinema in theaters.

Will the near 2-month delay from the release date hamper the second coming of Shah Rukh Khan in Bangladesh? Or will die-hard fans laud SRK, Deepika and John Abraham all the same and storm halls to experience the worldwide juggernaut that is Pathaan ? While only time will reveal the actual impact of a Bollywood film in Bangladeshi halls, exciting times lie ahead.