FTPO clears misunderstanding on 2017 GD regarding Parambrata

In today's day and age, digital mediums have enabled us to promote movies, plays and TV shows in a variety of new ways. As a result, audiences of India-Bangladesh have access to even more content. Similarly, artistes from Bangladesh and West Bengal have a greater scope to work in both countries.

However, back in 2017, a General Diary (GD) was filed, centring around directors and artists from two sides of Bengal, that lead to a misunderstanding that still exists to date.

The GD was filed due to artists working illegally, using travel visas instead of work permits, without taking permission from the concerned ministry and professionals organisation. In accordance to the Professionals Organisation's Directors Guild, a foreign director can only work in the country if they pay a fee of USD 100 to take on a temporary membership.

A production company named 'Kandy Productions Ltd.' was supposed to produce a series of screenplays under the direction of renowned director Parambrata Chattopadhyay, and that they were in the process of hiring for the project. Afterwards, on August 1, 2017, it was reported by Prothom Alo's Entertainment Desk that the project was underway.

Mamunur Rashid

Upon being notified, the Federation of Television Professionals Organisation (FTPO)—to establish order—filed a General Diary against the representative of Kandy Productions Ltd., Shahriar Shakil at the Banani Police Station. However, this case was in no way filed against the director, Parambrata Chattopadhyay—as the responsibility of working with foreign artistes falls on the production company, and not on the director, actors, or crew members.

This was clarified in a letter signed by the FTPO, and renowned media personalities Mamunur Rashid and Gazi Rakayet. A press conference was also held yesterday, involving the FTPO, Television Producers Association of Bangladesh and Actors Equity Bangladesh.

Gazi Rakayet

However, some newspapers and online portals published reports with the title "GD filed against Parambrata by FTPO". As a result, this created a lot of misinformation, leading to a misunderstanding between artists and crew of the two countries.

Later, Shahriar Shakil revealed that this issue happened due to a delay in obtaining work permits from the Ministry of Information. Afterwards, a permit was obtained for Parambrata's temporary Guild membership, and the project was able to complete shooting.