Quick probe finds rift between theatre artistes

Among the recipients are late novelist Shahidul Zahir (Md Shahidul Haque) and poet Helal Hafeez, who will be honoured posthumously for their contributions to Language and Literature. Renowned photographer and founder of Drik Gallery and Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, Shahidul Alam, will receive the award for his work in Culture and Education. Filmmaker Azizur Rahman, famed for his work on “Chhutir Ghonta”, will be conferred the award posthumously for his contributions to Arts (Cinema), while Ustad Nirad Baran Barua and Ferdous Ara will be honored for Music. Nasir Ali Mamun will be recognized for Arts (Photography), and Rokeya Sultana will receive the award for Arts (Fine Arts).

Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, adviser to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, has called for merging the culture and tourism ministries to ensure better coordination.

For the first time in television history, the film “840” will debut as a drama series. Alongside its theatrical run, audiences will be able to watch the film as an eight-episode-extended series on television — marking a first for simultaneous screening. 

This year, an estimated 50 Bangladeshi films have been released. Among these, only a handful have achieved commercial success. Then again, despite not performing well at the box office, other cinematic aspects like actors, actresses, and film songs have managed to remain at the centre of discussions throughout the year.

Breaking the usual rule of up to two films being released on the same day, three highly anticipated Bangladeshi films are set to hit cinemas this Friday. While typically, only two films can be released on non-festival days, the industry is making an exception. This week, audiences can look forward to Mostofa Sarwar Farooki’s political satire “840: The Great Bangla Democracy Pvt. Ltd”, Belal Sani’s sci-fi horror “Danger Zone,” and Shabnam Parvin’s comedy “Hurmoti”.

Almost 16 years ago, director Mostofa Sarwar Farooki sparked a storm of discussions with his satirical series 420, which highlighted contemporary social and political issues in Bangladesh. Now, he is back with its double-up.

Opening with a biting question—“When a man wins an election with 103% of the vote, what does he ask for next?”—the 3-minute trailer sets the stage for a sharp critique of political corruption. Nasir Uddin Khan, in the lead role, plays a flawed, power-hungry politician who will go to any lengths to secure public support and win a mayoral election.

Mostofa Sarwar Farooki is set to revive his popular 2007 political satire “420,” with a new series, titled “840,” doubling down on the ‘absurdities’ of Bangladeshi politics.

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs has announced seven priority programmes, including a nationwide talent hunt and a youth festival, to reignite the cultural landscape of Bangladesh.

Since taking the oath as the cultural adviser for the interim government, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has faced significant backlash on social media. However, on the third day of his tenure, he delivered some positive news regarding two major ongoing issues in the cultural arena that had been widely discussed across the nation.

Farooki has been facing social media backlash since taking his oath as an adviser to the interim government. Many have labelled him as a collaborator of the previous regime. On his first day in office, he was confronted with these allegations, and rather than avoid them, he addressed them head-on.

Farooki, a renowned filmmaker, acknowledged the longstanding neglect of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. "Let’s not hide the fact—everyone knows the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has long been neglected. The budget for this sector is always limited. But my advantage is that I have an incredible team. Mohammad Azam is at the Bangla Academy, and he’s a brand! I have been following his work for a long time.”

Farooki, renowned for his critically acclaimed films and television dramas, has been entrusted with overseeing the Cultural Affairs Ministry.

The director who has made popular films including “Television” and “Doob - No Bed of Roses” has been a vocal supporter of the student-led mass uprising.

The much-anticipated rom-com “36-24-36”, starring actress Parthana Fardeen Dighi, has received an uncut Universal (U) rating from the Censor Certification Board, signaling its suitability for audiences of all ages. 

Founded in 1998, Chabial has since produced advertisements, television dramas, and films under its banner. Farooki’s first production under Chabial was “Waiting Room”, which no television channel wanted to buy at the time. However, the landscape has drastically changed over the years.

Filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has been a vocal supporter of the anti-discrimination student movement since its inception. While he didn’t participate directly in the street protests, Farooki consistently expressed his solidarity with the students through multiple posts on Facebook. Eventually, he also aligned himself with the one-point movement calling for the former government's resignation.

Numerous films faced bans during the previous administration, with some caught up in legal disputes while others were shelved for unexplained reasons. Producers voiced their frustration over films stalled in the censor board's approval process, but their protests yielded no resolution. For years, filmmakers have called for the abolition of the censor board in favour of a system of censor certification. 

Farooki, known for his bold commentary, took to social media to voice his discontent. “Do we want films about the BDR mutiny? The atrocities committed by the Rakkhi Bahini after the Liberation War? Or the disappearances orchestrated by Hasina, Ziaul, and Tareq Siddiqui?” he asked. His series of provocative questions highlighted what he views as the censorship board’s role in stifling critical narratives, particularly those that challenge the ruling Awami League’s version of history.