[🇧🇩] Bangladesh Film Industry

[Saif]

175 cultural activists call for a separate film division at BSA

The statement presented arguments in support of this demand, signed by filmmakers, producers, cinematographers, editors, sound designers, film critics, researchers, teachers, film workers and organizers, actors, musicians, and photographers.

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175 cultural activists call for a separate film division at BSA

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy | Star File Photo

In protest of the exclusion of the "Film" section from the "Drama and Film" sub-division in the revised Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Act, 175 film-related individuals have issued a public statement, demanding the formation of a separate film division.

The statement presented arguments in support of this demand, signed by filmmakers, producers, cinematographers, editors, sound designers, film critics, researchers, teachers, film workers and organisers, actors, musicians, and photographers.

They argued that the new generation of filmmakers, capturing the nation's current aspirations and needs through diverse forms such as feature films, documentaries, and short films, should not rely on commercial entities for support. They believe that only a national institution like Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy can meet these expectations. They also expressed hopes that films would be showcased regularly across the Academy's district branches.

"We are shocked to see that the new draft ordinance has removed the 'Film' section from the previous 'Drama and Film' sub-division. We strongly protest this and demand that a separate film division be established," the signatories said.

Films have been part of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy since its inception. Based on this tradition and historical significance, removing the section from the Academy is unacceptable, they added.

At a time when the entire nation is united in rebuilding and reforming the country following the student-led mass uprising, films—one of the key branches of the arts—can best represent this new renaissance. Therefore, rather than excluding the section from the Academy, the government should establish a distinct film division, they urged.

Notable signatories include Nurul Alam Atique, N Rashed Chowdhury, Akram Khan, Shabnam Ferdousi, Tokon Thakur, Noman Robin, Wahid Tareq, Prasun Rahman, Redoan Rony, Khijir Hayat Khan, Palash Rasul, Krishnendu Chattopadhyay, Sadia Khalid Reeti, Zakia Bari Mamo, Rawnak Hasan, Deepak Suman, Shohel Mondol, Nahida Sharmin (Shormi Mala), Abdullah Al Sentu, Tanvir Ahmed, and Nasir Ali Mamun amongst many others.​

 

[Saif]

Shakib Khan’s ‘Toofan’ shatters two decades of records at Star Cineplex

Star Cineplex, the country’s most advanced cine-theatre, has marked 20 years since its establishment. This milestone year witnessed a groundbreaking achievement with the Shakib Khan-starrer “Toofan”. The global blockbuster became the most successful movie at Star Cineplex, surpassing Hollywood...

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Shakib Khan’s ‘Toofan’ shatters two decades of records at Star Cineplex

Photo: Collected

Star Cineplex, the country's most advanced cine-theatre, has marked 20 years since its establishment. This milestone year witnessed a groundbreaking achievement with the Shakib Khan-starrer "Toofan". The global blockbuster became the most successful movie at Star Cineplex, surpassing Hollywood and Bollywood hits.

Directed by Raihan Rafi, the film was released during last Eid-ul-Azha and broke several records at Star Cineplex, as confirmed by the country's biggest theatre franchise in an announcement on their official Facebook page.

Star Cineplex's Senior Marketing Officer Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, told Channel i Online, "'Toofan' has emerged as the most beloved film of the year. In fact, among all the movies screened at Star Cineplex over the past two decades, 'Toofan' holds the best record. Consequently, Star Cineplex considers the film to be unparalleled in every respect, both in commercial success and audience acclaim."."

However, two months after the release of "Toofan," student protests erupted in the country. Prior to that, the nation faced unusual circumstances, leading to widespread changes across all sectors.

Mesbah Ahmed added that if the country's situation had remained normal, "Toofan" might have reached even greater milestones.

Before Toofan, the highest-grossing films at Star Cineplex were "Avatar" and "Jawan". This year, however, "Toofan" surpassed both to become the top-performing movie.

The impact of "Toofan" wasn't limited to Cineplexes alone; it also made history in Bangladesh's single-screen theatres, with houseful shows running late into the night.

The film garnered blockbuster success not only in Bangladesh but also in over 20 countries worldwide. Encouraged by this tremendous response, its production company, Alpha i, is now amping up the production of "Toofan 2."

Chorki served as the digital partner for "Toofan", while its international collaboration was with SVF. The film boasted a star-studded cast, including Shakib Khan, Mimi Chakraborty, Masuma Rahman Nabila, Misha Sawdagar, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Shahiduzzaman Selim, Salahuddin Lavlu, and many others.

Adnan Adib Khan penned the screenplay, while Tahsin Rahman managed the cinematography. The art direction was overseen by Shihab Nurun Nabi, with costume design by Farzana Sun.​

 

[Saif]

Prabir Mitra no more

Legendary actor Prabir Mitra passed away today at 10:15 pm today at a Dhaka’s square hospital. The news has been confirmed to The Daily Star by his son, Sifat Islam. Battling oxygen deficiency and other ailments, Mitra was admitted to a private hospital on December 22. His health had continued...

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Prabir Mitra no more
Actor Prabir Mitra passes away

Prabir Mitra

Legendary actor Prabir Mitra passed away at 10:15 pm today at a Dhaka's Square Hospital. The news has been confirmed to The Daily Star by his son, Sifat Islam. Battling oxygen deficiency and other ailments, Mitra was admitted to a private hospital on December 22. His health had continued to decline over the past two weeks, prompting his family to seek urgent government intervention for advanced medical treatment.

The 80-year-old actor, whose career spans more than 400 films, had been suffering from multiple health issues.

Mitra's family had been tirelessly trying to reach out for help, but the situation had been compounded by the inaccessibility of key members of the Film Artistes' Association. Sifat had noted yesterday, "Today, Anjana Aunty passed away. Many people attended her Janaza at the FDC (Bangladesh Film Development Corporation), and through several individuals, we tried to contact the association. Unfortunately, many of the people who had close ties with my father are either abroad or not reachable within the country."

Prabir Mitra's illustrious career remains an integral part of Bangladesh's cultural history. Born on August 18, 1943, in Chandina, Cumilla, Mitra spent his formative years in Old Dhaka, where his passion for acting began to flourish. His early love for the stage was sparked during his school days, performing in Rabindranath Tagore's iconic play "Dakghar".

Mitra made his silver screen debut in 1969 with "Jolchhobi", directed by H Akbar. However, the film was not released until January 1, 1971. Despite initially playing lead roles, Mitra found lasting success as a character actor, captivating audiences with his depth, versatility, and innate ability to breathe life into complex roles. His performances in films such as "Titash Ekti Nadir Naam", "Jibon Trishna", "Fariyad", "Rokto Shopoth", "Charitrohin", "Angaar", and "Fakir Majnu Shah" are considered cinematic landmarks.

Prabir Mitra's contributions to the film industry are undeniable, and the family hopes for a dignified response from both the state and the industry that once celebrated his immense talent.​

 

[Saif]

FDC cuts rental costs to boost film production

In an effort to revitalise the BFDC, a plan to reduce rental fees for equipment and studio floors has been introduced. This experimental initiative, aimed at attracting more filmmakers to shoot at BFDC, will run for six months.

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FDC cuts rental costs to boost film production

Photos: Collected

For a long time, the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC), once the heart of Bengali cinema and the Bangladeshi film industry, has been in a state of disrepair. Gone are the days when every corner of the BFDC was abuzz with lights, cameras, and action. High production costs have driven directors away from the BFDC to film elsewhere, leaving the once-bustling facility largely empty. This has led to irregular salaries for its staff, compounding the organisation's woes.

In an effort to revitalise the BFDC, a plan to reduce rental fees for equipment and studio floors has been introduced. This experimental initiative, aimed at attracting more filmmakers to shoot at BFDC, will run for six months.

According to a circular signed by BFDC's Project Director Md Rezaul Haque, the rental rates for floors 1 and 6 have been revised. Previously, the rates for set construction and filming on these floors were Tk 2,550 and Tk 6,500, respectively.

Under the new pricing scheme, they have been reduced to Tk 2,000 and Tk 5,000. Similarly, the rental for set construction and filming on floor 2 (without air conditioning) was Tk 5,100 and Tk 13,000, respectively, which has now been reduced to Tk 4,000 and Tk 9,000. The rates for floor 2 (with air conditioning) have also been revised, from Tk 5,100 and Tk 18,540 to Tk 4,000 and Tk 11,500 for set construction and filming, respectively.

Camera rental fees have also been significantly slashed. The cost of renting a Red Dragon camera has been reduced from Tk 6,120 to Tk 3,000 for local productions. For outdoor shoots within Bangladesh, the fee is now Tk 3,500, down from Tk 6,630. For international shoots, the rate has dropped from Tk 19,500 to Tk 10,000.

Sony camera rental prices have similarly decreased. The previous fee of Tk 5,100 is now Tk 2,000. For outdoor shoots in Bangladesh, the rental fee has dropped from Tk 5,610 to Tk 2,500, and for international shoots, the price has gone from Tk 16,500 to Tk 7,000.

The charges for digital editing machines have also been reduced, from Tk 2,100 per shift to Tk 1,500, while digital color grading costs have gone from Tk 3,150 to Tk 2,500 per shift. Additionally, the fees for other equipment, such as lighting, audio gear, and set construction materials, have also been lowered.

Several conditions apply to these new rates. If filmmakers bring in external equipment, they must obtain prior approval from the BFDC, and electricity charges will be billed based on shifts. All rental payments must be made according to the official schedule.​

 

[Saif]

Razzak is the ‘Mahanayak’ of our times: Suchanda

Kohinoor Akhter, popularly known as Suchanda, is one of the most celebrated actresses of the 1960s. She recently reminisced about her time working alongside esteemed actor Abdur Razzak, who would go on to become the beloved "Nayak Raj" of Bangladeshi cinema. Their pairing, which began with the...

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Nayak Raj’s 83rd Birth Anniversary
Razzak is the ‘Mahanayak’ of our times: Suchanda

Photos: Collected

Kohinoor Akhter, popularly known as Suchanda, is one of the most celebrated actresses of the 1960s. She recently reminisced about her time working alongside esteemed actor Abdur Razzak, who would go on to become the beloved "Nayak Raj" of Bangladeshi cinema. Their pairing, which began with the iconic film "Behula", became one of the most cherished in the industry, with the duo starring in over 30 films together.

Speaking on the occasion of Razzak's 83rd birth anniversary today, Suchanda recalled their first encounter as co-stars.

"Razzak's first film as a lead actor was the Zahir Raihan directorial film, 'Behula', where I played the lead actress. Before filming began, we met unexpectedly one day." Esteemed Bangladeshi novelist, writer and filmmaker Zahir Raihan, who was also Suchanda's real-life partner, told Razzak, "I'm casting you as the lead in my next film, 'Behula'." "Razzak was so overwhelmed, he touched Zahir's feet in gratitude," Suchanda shared.

In "Behula," Suchanda took on the titular role, while Razzak played the role of Lakhindar. The film was an instant hit, marking the beginning of Razzak's legendary status in the industry.

The pair became a popular on-screen couple, delivering a string of box-office successes. "Our films were always well received by the audience," Suchanda noted. "Razzak's dedication to acting was unlike anything I'd seen. He loved his craft, constantly refining his skills. Acting was his first love, and when the camera rolled, he transformed into another person entirely."

The legendary on-screen duo was featured in iconic films "Shuorani Duorani" "Jibon Theke Neya" and "Behula"—all directed by Zahir Raihan.

Reflecting on Razzak's legacy, Suchanda added, "I've worked with many co-stars, and so had he, but our pairing always resonated with the audience. Even today, people remember the songs from our films. Razzak was a towering figure as an actor—he set a record, a benchmark for what it meant to be a leading man."

She continued, "Razzak was one of the greatest actors we've ever had. While actors may come and go, he was a true star—someone who truly embodied the essence of acting. It was ingrained in his soul."

Razzak was known for his versatility, excelling in both romantic and social dramas. "He was unmatched in every genre," Suchanda reflected. "His performances in socio-political dramas were exceptional, and as a romantic hero, he was the ultimate heartthrob."

Though the Nayak Raj is no longer with us, Suchanda believes his influence remains. "In many ways, Razzak reminded me of Uttam Kumar. It was as though he carried a part of Uttam within him. That's my personal view," she said. "The love and admiration the audience had for him endures, even today."

As she concluded her reflections, Suchanda spoke about the lasting impact Razzak made on the country's film industry. "His name will forever be a part of Bangladeshi cinema's history. He was the 'Mahanayak'—our great hero. Though he's no longer here to celebrate his birthday, may he rest in peace wherever he is."

Their other popular collaborations were "Moner Moto Bou", "Jibon Thekey Neya", "Osru Diye Lekha", among others. Suchanda received a National Film Award in 2005 for producing and directing the film "Hajar Bochor Dhore", based on Zahir Raihan's novel of the same name​