Move to screen Indian films in BD halls protested

FE Report Bangladeshi film makers, film activists and socio-cultural organisations Wednesday staged protest against screening of Indian commercial cinema in the Bangladeshi cinema halls on December 23. The protest rally was organised by Bharatiyo Banijjik Chalachchitra Agrashon Protirodh Andolon (a national movement against the dominance of Indian commercial cinema) in front of the National Press Club. The platform included twenty cultural and socio-political organisations of the country who have united to protect the country's cinema sector from Indian hegemony, organisers said. Bangladesh Film Directors' Association, Bangladesh Film Artists' Association, Stamford University Cine Forum, Chhobir Lorai, Samagit (a song movement), Sanskrity Mancha, Sristigarh, Spardha, Sanskrity's Naya Setu (cultural organisations), among others, were present at the protest. Earlier the commerce ministry gave permission for importing Indian cinemas while the information ministry fought against the decision in the High Court. Although the High Court gave its verdict in favour of the information ministry, it also gave another order to allow the screening of three Indian films already contracted by Bangladeshi cinema hall owners. Speaking in the rally, the protesters said the screening of the Indian films was a matter of introducing an unequal competition between a giant film industry in India and a little one in Bangladesh. Speakers claimed that this unholy decision will destroy not only the cinema sector but also the culture of Bangladesh. They placed a nine-point demand to the government that includes immediate ban on film imported from India, implemention of National Film Policy including foreign cinema import and screening criteria, setting up of a film institute to increase professionalism in cinema sector, withdrawal of tax from raw materials and machineries related to cinema. The platform declared a sit in programme in front of the three cinema halls where the Indian cinemas are scheduled to be shown on December 23. The films allowed by the censor board to be screened are "Jor", "Bodla" and "Sangram".