Distributors plan to revamp local cinemas to screen Indian films

Jasim Uddin Haroon Film distributors Tuesday expressed their hope to revamp the country's movie theatres following government's permission to screen Indian films in the local cinemas. The government banned screening of Indian movies in the local cinemas in 1973 to promote Bangladesh's film industry. Bangladesh Film Censor Board (BFCB) recently approved three Kolkata-made movies to be screened in the local movie theatres. Abdur Rahim, BFCB secretary said: "We've given our opinion in favour of screening three Indian movies in local cinemas."He also said the movies will be screened shortly. Distributors said they have already got prints of three movies to sell those to the cinemas. Mia Alauddin, secretary of Bangladesh Film Exhibitors Association told the FE that this move is to revamp the local cinemas as the number of the same has been shrinking day by day due to losses in the business. Currently, Bangladesh has around 600 cinemas against 1200 across the country even in late 1990s. Mia Alauddin said they will also seek permission from the BFCB to show nine more Indian movies shortly. Film importers have already opened letter of credits to procure nine more movies from India. The movies will be Mumbai-based. The sub-titles of the Hindi films will be in Bengali as per the requirement of the Censor Board. Mr Alauddin said they also want to screen best movies of other countries with a view to encouraging local people on the creative industry. He said: "We don't think that this will destroy our industry, rather it will help bolster our movie theatres' business." On the other hand, film industry people have protested the move. They said West Bengal should import Bangladesh's films as well once the government allows Indian movies in the country. Uttam Akash, a film director told the FE: "Owners of Indian cinemas should import Bangladesh-made movies in exchange of their films." "Actually we want a level playing field for both Bangladesh and Indian film makers," he added. Bangladesh's film industry has been passing through a very crucial time as the producers often fail to recover their investments. The number of film productions also fell over the last one decade leading to reduction in yearly investment to Tk 500 million against Tk 1.0 billion. Local producers are making on an average 50 films a year against nearly 100 in 1990s.