Limitless Dreams

What is the current status of Bengali Cinema? The answer is well known to everyone; not very well! Day by day theaters of the country are shutting down. Once upon a time, there were almost 1,225 theaters in the country which has gone down to around 1 to 5. In many districts there are not theaters anymore. The city which had five, now has only one. Due to the lack of proper facilitation of modern filmmaking, Bengali cinema is dying. Despite all odds few good films are getting appreciated.

Film is a technology-based industry. With the development of technology, film has gradually become self-sufficient as a standalone industry. When Lumière brothers exhibited their first film in Paris in 1895, it was only due to the long pursuit of countless scientists, including Julie Etienne Murray, Thomas Alva Edison, Eastman; likewise, the editing techniques of Edwin S. Porter or DW Griffith or the creative use of the camera made the film a success. Silent picture became verbose. The simple black and white pictures turned vibrant in colors. It was possible through the meticulous application of technology.

With the pressure of foreign cinema and culture, Bangladesh's film industry is on the verge of collapse. Now we have cinema viewers in the country but they are not coming to the theater because of the lack of quality productions. 15 to 20 years ago, the producers could bring back the investment and make profits, investing one to three crore taka. The average budget of Bengali cinema now stands at highest one and a half crore taka or less. 

The matter of hope is that we are hearing about new drama and movies on a regular basis and new posters are seen at roadside. News of the film's premiere and other topics are published in the newspaper's Culture and Entertainment pages. Bangladesh's films are being exhibited at foreign film festivals and it is often receiving recognitions. Government film institutes have been established, public and private universities have introduced courses in film studies. Again more relevant initiatives, arranging workshops, film festivals of various shapes and sizes are to be organized by various organizations Beside FDC film has secured its place in Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Various film societies are organizing film exhibitions and relevant events. Exhibition of films in various districts is another initiative of Shilpakala Academy. In the coming days digital platforms are going to be the main means of communication. Now everyone is accustomed to watch the web content online. The vigorous journey of this medium has begun in our country. Although the story lacks the quality content, but with this digital platform, my hope is as big as the sky. Artists always want their works to reach the viewer and receive feedback from them as well. In these days, people spend lot of time by watching video content on digital platforms. This is a positive sign and creating new audience. In keeping with the interest and demand of the audience, the new and old directors are now making big budget web content. This medium is our future. 

However, if you want to keep viewers on the web, content and story must be good.  Now the question is, who will change the future of this media? Who will think about it and take it forward? Who will change the flow of traditional media? The answer to all these is, young generation will bring the changes. They have the desire to conquer the invincible.

Aparna Ghosh

(Television actress, theater artist and model who won Bangladesh National Film Award for the role in Mrittika Maya)