The Bangladeshi film industry has suffered huge losses for over a year, due to the coronavirus pandemic. More than 25 movies are awaiting release. While most of these films have wrapped up, some are in production. Some of the forthcoming big-budget movies include "Mission Extreme," "Bidrohi", "Antaratma", "Operation Sundarban", "Adventure of Sundarban", "Shaan", "Bikkhob", "Jinn", "Hawa" "Paap Punno", "Poran", and "Damaal" among others. These films involve investments of nearly BDT 100 crores.

Operation Sundarban

There are no possibilities of movie theatres returning to normalcy any time soon. Producers and directors are looking to release their big-budget films in movie theatres, rather than on OTT platforms.

"As far as I know, the films that I have acted in will be released in theatres. We have no plans of releasing them on streaming platforms. They were meant for the big screen," shares actor Siam Ahmed, who stars in "Shaan", "Operation Sundarban", and "Adventure of Sundarban".

Mission Extreme

"On the one hand, our money is stuck, and on the other hand, we are afraid to release any new movies. New producers are not willing to take risks right now," says director Anonno Mamun, stressing on the importance of coming up with tactics for the release and survival of films in these critical times.

115 cinema halls across the country were allowed to be open during Eid, in compliance with health and safety rules. "Shoubhaggo", a film produced by actor Dipjol, was the only film which was released at the time. Yet, local administrations in different districts decided to close down movie theatres during the holidays, pushing the film industry into a major crisis.

Adventure of Sundarban

"I met the authorities before Eid and made a written request to them to not close cinema halls," says Sudip Kumar Das, Chief Advisor, Film Exhibitors' Association. "At the time, they maintained their order to let cinema halls operate. I do not know why theatres were abruptly closed down afterwards."

Translated by Shababa Iqbal