Once integral to its spirit, these legendary stars cut all with FDC

Recently, legendary actress Shabnam requested that her mortal remains not be taken to the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (FDC) after her death. Speaking to the media, she explained that there was a reason behind her decision.
She is not the first celebrated figure from the film industry to make such a request. Another popular actress of Bengali cinema’s golden era, Rozina, had earlier expressed the same wish.

The irony is striking. FDC was once at the heart of their lives and careers. They walked its grounds, celebrated successes there, and spent countless days and nights shooting on its floors. Every corner holds memories of the years they devoted to cinema.

Yet, despite that deep connection, some of these stars have chosen not to have their final journey pass through FDC. Their decisions appear to stem from disappointment, hurt and a sense of disillusionment with the institution and the treatment of artistes over the years.

Here are some of the stars who made such wishes known.

Image

Shabnam

Veteran actress Shabnam has been unequivocal about her decision not to have her body taken to FDC after her death.
“There is definitely a reason. I have said it, and I will say it again. I cannot even begin to describe how much respect I receive from FDC! It is true that after I die, they will put garlands on me, and that will be it, right? I do not want to give anyone that opportunity. I will not allow anyone at FDC to shed crocodile tears over my body,” she said.

“I am happy staying quietly at home, just as I am now. I am at peace. I am an artiste. I am the way I want to be. I am very happy.”

Shabnam's late husband, renowned composer and music director Robin Ghosh, had also expressed a similar wish. Following his death, his mortal remains were not taken to FDC.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

Image

Rozina

Popular actress Rozina, one of the leading stars of Bengali cinema's golden era, has also asked her family not to take her mortal remains to FDC after her death.

“My greatest wish is that I die on the soil of my own country. I want to be buried beside my parents’ graves. I spend around six months of the year in Bangladesh and the other six months abroad. So, I have only one prayer to Allah: that I breathe my last in my own country,” she said.

“I have already told everyone in my family that after my death, my body should not be taken to FDC. This is my personal wish.”
Rozina has indicated that the declining respect for artistes at FDC was one of the reasons behind her decision. Some also believe that her experience surrounding the elections of the Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association may have contributed to her disappointment.

Image

ATM Shamsuzzaman

Legendary actor, screenwriter and storyteller ATM Shamsuzzaman passed away on February 20, 2021.
Following his death, his mortal remains were not taken to the FDC premises. According to his family, he had specifically expressed his wish that his body should not be taken to the place where he had spent much of his professional life.
His daughter, Koel, explained at the time that her father had been deeply hurt by several incidents at FDC.

“There was an unpleasant incident involving the children of Raj Razzak at FDC. My father was deeply saddened when he heard about it. Apart from that, he was hurt by various incidents at FDC. Genuine artistes were not being properly valued. He did not like the environment there either. Many other incidents at FDC caused him pain. That is why he told us not to take his body there. We simply wanted to honour his wish,” she said.

 

Image

Sohanur Rahman Sohan

Renowned filmmaker Sohanur Rahman Sohan, known for his contribution to Bangladeshi cinema, died on September 13, 2023.

His mortal remains were not taken to FDC either. In accordance with his family's wishes, he was buried in Tangail beside his wife's grave.

For generations of Bangladeshi filmmakers and artistes, FDC was more than just a workplace. It was where careers were built, friendships forged and countless memories created. But for some of its most celebrated personalities, the institution also became a source of disappointment.

Their final wishes therefore reveal a painful contradiction — an industry they once loved deeply, but an institution they no longer wanted to be part of even in death.