Cinema of Bangladesh

South Asian cinema

The Bangladeshi film industry has been based in Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, since 1956. As of 2004, it produced approximately 100 movies a year, with an average movie budget of about 20,000,000 Bangladeshi taka. The film industry is sometimes known as Dhallywood, a portmanteau of the words Dhaka and Hollywood.[1]

Contents

History

On April 24, 1898, the Bengali weekly Dhaka Prakash reported that films were shown in Dhaka by the Bradford Bioscope Company, at the Crown Theatre, in Patuatuli, near Sadarghat. The show included news items and other short features. The first permanent cinema in Dhaka, named Picture House, began operation during 1913–1914. This cinema was renamed to New Picture House and then again to Shabistan. By 1947 there were around 80 cinemas in what is now Bangladesh.[2][3]

The first Bengali organization for producing and exhibiting films was the Royal Bioscope Company, established in 1898 in Calcutta by Hiralal Sen. Although feature films were made in Bengali as early as 1919 (Bilwa Mangal), most production was done in Calcutta. The Nawab family of Dhaka produced Sukumari (1928–1929) and The Last Kiss (1931).[3][4][5][6]

After the partition of India in 1947, the first film made in East Pakistan was a newsreel about the visit of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, produced in 1948 by the radio broadcaster Nazir Ahmed. The first full-length feature film with sound made in East Pakistan was Mukh O Mukhosh, which was produced by Abdul Jabbar Khan and released on August 3, 1956. Editing, printing and all other film processing for this movie was done in Lahore, Pakistan.[7][8][9]

The East Bengal Provincial Assembly established the East Pakistan Film Development Corporation (EPFDC) on April 3, 1957. The first film produced by this organization was Asiya (The Life of a Village Girl, 1960), directed by Fateh Lohani. During the late 1960s, between 20 and 35 films were produced each year. Production quantity continued to increase after Bangladesh gained its independence on December 16, 1971; in 1979, for example, 51 films were released, and in the 1990s over 90 films per year were released.[10][11][12][13][14] One of the first films produced in Bangladesh after independence was Titash Ekti Nadir Naam (A River Called Titas) in 1973 by acclaimed director Ritwik Ghatak, whose stature in Bengali cinema is comparable to that of Satyajit Ray and Mrinal Sen.

Although the majority of the films made in Bangladesh are strictly commercial in nature, a handful of directors from Bangladesh have attained critical acclamation for their outstanding work. Zahir Raihan, Khan Ataur Rahman, Salahuddin, Alamgir Kabir, Amjad Hussain, Moshiuddin Shaker, Sheikh Niyamat Ali, Humayun Ahmed, Morshedul Islam, Tanvir Mokammel, Tareque Masud, Salauddin Lavlu, Enamul Karim Nirjhar are among those prominent directors. Bangladesh has been officially submitting nominations for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film from 2003. Masud's Matir Moina (The Clay Bird) was the first film to be submitted, and won a number of other international awards from the Edinburgh, Palm Springs, Montreal, Marrakech, Cairo and Cannes Film Festivals. Another internationally acclaimed filmmaker from Bangladesh is Morshedul Islam, who won major awards at the International Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg and other international film festivals.

Recently, the Bangladeshi film industry has faced increased competition from foreign films, satellite TV, home video, and other sources. Viewership of Bangladeshi films has dropped, and the industry has been criticized for producing low-quality films whose only appeal is that of sex, violence, or melodrama. Bangladeshi films often feature actresses who have different body types than mainstream actresses. While Bollwood, Hollywood, and Korean Wave actresses boast beauty and a slim body type, Bangladeshi actresses are often the complete opposite in terms of appearance. Actresses such as Moushumi, Purnima,and Bindu are not appealing in terms of beauty to foreign and domestic Bangla audiences. Bollywood actresses such as Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor, and Priyanka Chopra have earned a reputation among Bangla audiences all over the world for their slim figures, better language and communication skills, and overall beauty appeal. Audiences often complain the the beauty that was once present with previous veteran actresses such as Shabana and other has been lost inthe Bangladeshi film industry. The same can be said for actors as well. It is often said that wealthier people are given roles over better looking and talented actors. Notice how actresses Banglar King Kong, a local take on the King Kong tale was released in May, 2010 and was widely derided for its tackiness and sub par production values.[1][14]

Notable parallel films

  • Mukh O Mukhosh (1956) of Abdul Jabbar Khan
  • Asia (1960) of Fateh Lohani,
  • Kakhono Asheni (1961), Kancher Deyal (1963), Sangam (1964), Anwara (1966) and Jiban Thekey Neya (1970) of Zahir Raihan,
  • Surya Snan (1962), Je Nadi Maru Pathey (1961) and Dharapat (1964) of Salahuddin,
  • Anek Diner Chena (1964), Nawab Sirajuddowla (1967), Soye Nadia Jagey Pani (1967) and Abar Tora Manush Ho (1973) of Khan Ataur Rahman,
  • E Desh Tomar Amar (1959) of Ehtesham,
  • Sutarang (1964), Kagajer Nawka (1966), Ayna O Abashista (1967), Arunodoyer Agnishakkhi (1972), Bashundhara (1977) and Dumurer Phul (1978) of Shubash Dutta,
  • Nadi o Nari (1965) of Sadeque Khan,
  • Shahid Titumir (1968) of Ibne Mijan,
  • Dhire Bahey Meghna (1973), Surya Kanya (1975), Shimana Periyei (1977), Rupali Saikat (1979), Mohana (1982) and Parinita (1986) of Alamgir Kabir,
  • Ora Egaro Jan (1972), Sangram (1973), Debdas (1982), Chandranath (1984), Shubhada (1986) and Hangar Nadi Grenade (1998) of Chashi Nazrul Islam,
  • Nayan Moni (1975), Golapi Ekhan Treney (1979) and Bhat Dey (1983) of Amjad Hossain,
  • Blackout - Mone nei (2010) of Tokon Thaakoor,
  • Megher Anek Rang (1976) of Harunur Rashid,
  • Alor Michhil (1974) and Lathial (1976) of Mita,
  • Surya Dighal Badi (1979) of Seikh Niamat Ali and Masihuddin,
  • Dahan (1985) of Seikh Niamat Ali,
  • Ashikhita (1978) and Chhutir Ghanta (1989) of Azizur Rahman
  • Nolok (1978) of Shibli Sadique,
  • Titash Ekti Nadir Naam (A River Called Titas) (1973) by Ritwik Ghatak,
  • Palanka (1976) of Rajen Tarafdar,
  • Lalan Fakir (1973) and Lal Shabujer Pala of Syed Hasan Imam,
  • Sareng Bou (1978) of Abdullah Al Mamun,
  • Suprabhat (1976) of Kabir Anwar,
  • Lal Kajal (1983) of Matin Rahman,
  • Pension (1985) of Rafiqul Bari Chowdhury,
  • Shankha Nil Karagar (1974) of Mostafizur Rahman,
  • Aguner Parash Mani (1995) of Humayun Ahmed,
  • Poka Makader Ghar Bashati (1996) of Akhtaruzzaman
  • Hooliya (1984), Nodir Naam Modhumoti (1995), Lalsalu (2001) and Lalon (2004) by Tanvir Mokammel,
  • Agami (1984), Chaka (1993), Dipu Number Two (1996) and Dukhai (1997) by Morshedul Islam,
  • Phulkumar (2000) of Ashique Mostafa,
  • Muktir Gaan (Song of Freedom) (1997),Matir Moina (The Clay Bird) (2002), Ontarjatra (2006), Narashundor (2008) and Runway (2010) by Tareque Masud.
  • Aboorton (1988),Dhushor Jattra (1992), Kittonkhola (2000), Shankhonad (2004), Nirantor (2006), Banshi (2007), Rupantor (2009), Opekkha (2010) of Abu Sayeed.
  • Jomidar(power man)-('riyaz & purnima') by Shahin sumon

Notable commercial films

  • Chanda (1962) and Chandni (1991) of Ehtesham,
  • Rupban (1995) of Salahuddin,
  • Mala (1965) of Mostafiz,
  • Sat Bhai Champa (1967) of Dilip Shom,
  • Arun Barun Kiran Mala (1968) of Khan Ataur Rahman,
  • Mlian (1964) of Rahman,
  • Abujh Man (1972) and Maina-Mati (1969) of Kazi Jahir,
  • Eto Tuku Asha (1968) of Mita,
  • Rang Baj (1973), Ki Je Kori (1975), Ghor Jamai (1979), Pran Shojoni (1985) of Zahirul Huque,
  • Challenge (1983) of A J Mintu,
  • Keyamat Thekey Keyamat (1992) of Sohanur Rahman Sohan,
  • Beder Meye Josna (1989) of Tozammel Huq Bakul,
  • Dost-Dushman (1977) of Dewan Nazrul,
  • Omar Sharif (1980) of Delwar Jahan Jhantu,
  • Sawdagar (1981) of F Kabir Chowdhury,
  • Naseeb (1984) of Momtaz Ali
  • Bheja Chokh (1987) of Shibli Sadiq,
  • Abujh Ridoy (1989) of Mustofa Anowar,
  • Tomakey Chai (1996) and Nayan Mani (1998) of Matin Rahman,
  • Gunahgar (1978) of Sohel Rana,
  • Bishwa Premik (1996) of Shahidul Islam Khokon,
  • Sagarika (1998) of Badal Khondoker ,
  • Danga (1992), Teji (1998) & Ammazan (2000) of Kazi Hayat and
  • Ranga Bou (1998) of Mohammad Hossain,

List of prominent Bangladeshi actors

  • Abdul Matin
  • Abdur Ratin
  • Azeem
  • Alamgir
  • Amin Khan
  • Anjana Rahman
  • Anju Ghosh
  • Amit Hasasn
  • Aruna Bishwas
  • Apu Bishwas
  • Amal Bush
  • Anwar Hussain
  • Anwara
  • Antu Kareem
  • Abul Khayer
  • Abul Hayat
  • Aliraj
  • Ahmed Shareef
  • Afjal Shareef
  • Ashees Kumar Luho
  • A.T.M Shamsujjaman
  • Bulbul Ahmed
  • Bobita
  • Bapparaj
  • Champa
  • Dipjol
  • Doli Jahor
  • Dildar
  • Diti
  • Eka
  • Emtiaz
  • Farooque
  • Ferdous
  • Gulam Mustafa
  • Humayun Faridi
  • Hasmot
  • Helal Khan
  • Hafizur of ES KU
  • Inam Ahmed
  • Ilyas Kanchan
  • Jugantar Chakma Chinese
  • Jasim
  • Khalil
  • Kabari Sarwar
  • Kabila
  • Keya
  • Khaleda Aktar Kolpona
  • Kumkum
  • Manna
  • Moushumi
  • Matin Abdul
  • Mahmood Kohli
  • Maruf
  • Mahfuj Ahmed
  • Miju Ahmed
  • Misha Soudagor
  • Maya Hazarika
  • Naeim
  • Nasir Khan
  • Nipun
  • Nuton
  • Omar Sani
  • Oyasim
  • Sadika Parvin Popy
  • Purnima
  • Probir Mitro
  • Rehman
  • Razzak
  • Riaz
  • Rosy Samad
  • Rozina Dhali
  • Rubel
  • Raj
  • Roushon Jamil
  • Rajib

See also

http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2011-12-29/news/212325, Review of Bangladeshi films 2011(for details try bangla language version of this article)

References

  1. ^ a b Bangladeshis reject "smutty" Bengali films, AFP/Helen Rowe, accessed 27-VII-2006
  2. ^ A Brief History of Bangladesh Cinema (p. 1), accessed 27-VII-2006
  3. ^ a b A Brief History of Bangladesh Cinema (p. 3), accessed 27-VII-2006
  4. ^ A Brief History of Bangladesh Cinema (p. 2), accessed 27-VII-2006
  5. ^ A Brief History of Bangladesh Cinema (p. 4), accessed 27-VII-2006
  6. ^ A Brief History of Bangladesh Cinema (p. 5), accessed 27-VII-2006
  7. ^ A Brief History of Bangladesh Cinema (p. 7), accessed 27-VII-2006
  8. ^ A Brief History of Bangladesh Cinema (p. 9), accessed 27-VII-2006
  9. ^ Celebrating 50 years of our cinema, Karim Waheed, The Daily Star (web edition), vol. 5, num. 431, accessed 27-VII-2006
  10. ^ A Brief History of Bangladesh Cinema (p. 10), accessed 27-VII-2006
  11. ^ A Brief History of Bangladesh Cinema (p. 11), accessed 27-VII-2006
  12. ^ A Brief History of Bangladesh Cinema (p. 12), accessed 27-VII-2006
  13. ^ A Brief History of Bangladesh Cinema (p. 13), accessed 27-VII-2006
  14. ^ a b BANGLAPEDIA: Film, Feature, accessed 27-VII-2006

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