Dhallywood expects a better business in the New Year following a significant development of the ailing film industry in the last year.
The producers, directors, actors and related personnel hope that more commercially success films will be produced as the viewers are again showing interest to go to cinemas: the commercial success of the one fourth of the total released 44 films in 2013 testimonies their claim. Successful debut of a score of actors, directors and technical crews in the industry is another positive sign to achieve the goal, they said.
They further said the introduction of new technology such as digitisation of cinemas will help them bring the industry to its feet. In fact, forty out of the total 44 released films in 2013 were digitally made.
Achieving the target of creating hype in the New Year, Dhallywood expects digitisation of all the 500 cinemas across the country and active role of the state-run service provider Bangladesh Film Development Corporation as a facilitator.
The producers are not getting the benefit of curtailing production cost through making films using digital technology since only 20 cinemas, mostly located in Dhaka, have their own equipment required for screening such films.
Renting equipment from private organisations, producers released their digital films in 80 more cinemas. As a result, a lion’s share of the profit was used for renting equipment for exhibition.
‘We want that all the cinemas across the country are able to provide their own equipment required for screening digitally made films,’ said Badiul Alam Khokon, whose two films, Nispap Munna and My Name is Khan, made profit in the last year.
Supplementing Badiul Alam, Shahidul Alam Khokon, president of Bangladesh Film Directors’ Association said, ‘Three times the tender for buying digital equipment had been cancelled by FDC’.
In fact, Dhallywood observes that FDC has become a signboard organisation. ‘We have been keeping pressure to make it functional but unfortunately we don’t see any change,’ said popular filmmaker Sohanur Rahman Sohan.
The managing director of FDC Pijush Bandyopadhyay as usual shared many plans. ‘We are on the process of buying all the necessary digital accessories within very short time,’ Bandyopadhyay said.
The government appointed administrator of Bangladesh Film Producers-Distributors Association Md Iftekhar Hossain also said that he would negotiate with the government to digitise the cinemas across the country.
But, the exhibitors believe that digitisation of cinemas will not be effective unless good films are made. ‘If good films are released as did in 2013 the exhibitors may get interested again and take the necessary steps,’ said Mia Alauddin, general secretary of Bangladesh Film Exhibitors’ Association.
Leading actors, directors and producers express determination of making more good films this year. ‘Last year my film Nishwartha Bhalobasa was received warm-heartedly by the filmgoers. This year I am going to produce a big-budget film Most Welcome 2, which, I expect, will be as successful as my last film,’ said actor-producer MA Jalil Ananta.
‘I hope this year will be milestone in my career. Already four of my films are ready to be released soon; among those Agni and Maynamati, are expected to do well,’ said new Dhallywood sensation Mahiya Mahi, who managed to achieve a good position by her performances in four commercially successful films such as Bhalobasa Aj Kaal, Onnorokom Bhalobasa and Poramon.
Other successful films released last year were Shahdat Hossain Liton’s Jor Kore Bhalobasa Hoy Na, Badiul Alam Khokon’s, Shahin Sumon’s Jatil Prem and Anya Rokom Bhalobasa, Iftekhar Chowdhury’s Deharakkhi, Jakir Hossain Raju’s Er Beshi Bhalobasa Jay Na and Safiuddin Safi’s Prem Prem Paglami and Purna Doirgha Premkahini.
And like previous years Shakib Khan solely dominated the industry.
Contemplating further, director Shahidul Alam Khokon observes that viewers would not go to cinemas unless the free exhibition of films on TV channels is controlled.
-With New Age input