Bangladesh cinemas ban actor Shakib Khan for protests against Hindi-language films

Dhaka actors, directors say release of Bollywood films would cripple the local film industry, known as Dhallywood


Afp January 29, 2015
The censor board gave "Wanted" the final go ahead in November for screening this year. PHOTO: PUBLICITY

DHAKA: Bangladesh cinemas will boycott movies starring the nation's top actor after he led protests against the first screening of a Hindi film in decades in the country, an official said Thursday.

Bollywood blockbuster "Wanted" opened in cinemas on the weekend after Bangladesh's censor board cleared its nationwide release, following a 50-year ban on Hindi-language films.

But the screenings sparked protests outside cinemas along with wildcat strikes by hundreds of Dhaka actors, directors and others, who said the release would cripple the local film industry, known as Dhallywood.

Bangladesh heartthrob Shakib Khan led the marches on cinemas, where protesters ripped up Hindi film posters and pleaded with fans queuing at ticket booths to boycott the film.

"We'll stop Hindi films at any cost," Khan was quoted as saying by a local daily newspaper Thursday.

Bangladesh cinema owners reacted sharply, saying they would not show any movies starring Khan and the other protesters and defended their decision to screen highly-popular flicks from neighbouring India on financial grounds.

"We've released Hindi films because we're now facing (an) existential crisis," said Saiful Islam Chowdhury, president of the Bangladesh Motion Pictures Exhibitors Association.

"It's unfortunate that Shakib Khan, Misha Shawdagar and other actors and directors have used violence to try to prevent us from showing Hindi films."

Chowdhury said the country's 350 film theatres "have decided not to show any films by Shakib Khan" along with Shawdagar and several directors.

A court last year ruled "Wanted" could be shown in Bangladesh, despite a prohibition on Hindi films dating back to a brief war between India and Pakistan in 1965 when Bangladesh was part of East Pakistan.

The censor board gave "Wanted" the final go ahead in November for screening this year.

Although pirated CDs of Indian films are hugely popular in Bangladesh, the ban on Hindi movies continued after the country gained independence in 1971.

The government briefly lifted the ban in 2010 after caving into pressure from struggling cinemas, hundreds of which have shut down in recent years because of poor ticket sales.

But it was quickly re-imposed following furious protests by local actors and directors, who claimed the Bangladesh film industry was at risk from the imports.

Chowdhury said the government had recently lifted the ban again under a free trade deal between South Asian countries.

Given the censor board's clearance of "Wanted", he predicted that importers would be more emboldened to start bringing in more Hindi films.

Khan said Thursday the ban should remain to protect local movie industry, which produces around 60 films a year.

COMMENTS (4)

Tapas Ghosh | 9 years ago | Reply

I am from Bangladesh. What is happening in Bangladesh film industry is pretty critical.It seems native film industry and cinema hall are not going on parallel because of self interest. In last decade most of the cinema hall is out of business because of lower output or even loss. Cinema hall owner cannot survive a few more years if current situation is going on.But the real threat is not hindi movie ,it will be indian Bangla movie popularly known as kolkata movie,because language and culture almost similar. If kolkata movie is allowed in Bangladesh, then local cinema industry will be on verge of extinct in a few years.

Mega | 9 years ago | Reply

Well hes not alone. Many regional states in india too wants Hindi movie banned and no dubbing in local language. Because it affects its local language industry earning in that state. But in a democracy, if state govt caters to wish wishes of local industrymen. Govt risks losing state election for being repressive, freedom curtailed and entertainment curbed. India's Bengal film industry makes awesome soulful art, serious topic movies. It too is affected by same issue and to remain valid now has some what ape bollywood. Indian Bengal and bangladesh should set up joint big Bengal film industry and cater Bengali audience. Bengali films should not lose its charm in serious art films it has produced bright filmmakers,writers,poets,singers in history. Preserving art is a must. Don't know why indian govt doesn't get such ideas. We are already collaborating with them on health, weather,Tigers,security and trade why not film industry..

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