Joint production of films has been put on hold till a new policy is formulated. The decision was taken by the Ministry of Information at a meeting with representatives of the film industry at the ministry on Sunday.
The ministry also took another decision of buying 50 HD (high definition) projectors under the supervision of the Film Development Corporation to add these at projection activities of cinema halls.
Those in favour of the movement and also those against the movement have welcomed the decision on joint production.
Misha Saudagar, president of the Bangladesh Film Artistes Association (BFAA) and one of the key activists of the movement, said: “We don’t want to sound arrogant. We always want improvement in joint venture films. We hope the issue of joint production will be addressed properly in the new policy.”
“We’ve faith in the convener of the new committee, Harun Or Rashid. He was once the director general of the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation. He is also a good artiste. The preview committee of joint production films no longer exists. I believe the new committee will come up with something better,” he added.
The actor Zayed Khan, who is the current general secretary of the BFAA, said: “The decision is the outcome of our movement, which is supported by the country’s film lovers. We welcome the decision.”
After receiving the news, the actor Omar Sani, who went live on Facebook with the request of postponing joint production movies at noon yesterday (Monday), said: “I was speaking about it just at noon. I am feeling really great to learn the wonderful news. I welcome the decision.”
The actress Mousumi, who resigned from the committee of the BFAA recently in connection with the movement, said: “I believe neither in any hateful doing nor in any clash. I want something positive to happen. But one thing should be watched carefully: we should stay away from bewildering words of the people.’
Abdul Aziz, chairman of Jaaz Multimedia, was unavailable on his cell phone. Jaaz multimedia produced most of the joint production movies in the recent times.
However, Alimulliah Khokon, chief executive officer of Jaaz Multimedia, said: “Best wishes to the decision of the government. A few of our films are underway and their production would be completed. But we’ll not produce any new film until the formulation of new policy for making joint production films.”
Eminent filmmaker Mostafa Sarwar Farooki wrote on his Facebook wall, “Thanks to Information Ministry for forming a new committee for evaluating and formulating policy for making joint production films. Also thanks for selecting the most qualified person as the head of the committee. I have full faith that his (Harun Or Rashid) knowledge and wisdom will provide us a well-timed policy.”
To note, information minister Hasanul Haq Inu joined the meeting as chief guest, with information secretary Martuza Ahmed in the chair on Sunday.
As representatives of the film community, the actor Faruk and Film Artistes’ Association president Misha Saudagar presented a cluster of proposals in the meeting. Bangladesh Television director general SM Harun-or-Rashid, information ministry additional secretary Md Manjur Rahman, Bangladesh Film Development Corporation managing director Tapan Kumar Ghosh, Film Censor Board vice-chairman Md Zakir Hossain, film community members Delwar Hossain Jhantu, Khorshed Alam Khasru, Musfiqur Rahman Guljar, Badiul Alam Khokan, Riaz and Zayed Khan, among others, were present on the occasion.