To screen or not to screen
The decision of screening Jaaz Multimedia's new film “Dohon” at Rajshahi University has created mixed reactions among students.
While some welcomed the initiative, others vehemently opposed it saying a university is not a place for showing commercial movies.
The Siam-Puja starrer production directed by Raihan Rafi releases in theatres today. RU is set to screen it tomorrow in Kazi Nazrul Islam Auditorium. The story revolves around violence during political strikes or hartal.
The production house approached the university a month after last cinema hall of Rajshahi city “Upohar” closed down on October 11.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Jaaz declared to hold three screenings. Soon afterwards, current and former students posted their reactions on social media.
Shaon Hossain, a student of biological science, wrote on Facebook, “It is a good initiative because we don't have any other place in the city to enjoy cinema.”
“It will open up an opportunity to present Bangla cinema to the young people,” wrote another, Avik Nandy Bipul of management studies.
But many others criticised the university authorities for the decision.
Hridoy Al Miru, a former student of theatre, said, “It will tarnish the image of the university. The auditorium is not a place for business.”
Mass communication and journalism student Sazzad Hossain echoed him.
Finance student Homayun Kabir said, “If it's a movie about social awareness, it's okay. But if it was for commercial purpose, it would be a shame for us.”
When asked, Hasibul Alam Prodhan, director of Shaheed Sukhranjan Samadder Teacher-Student Cultural Centre (TSCC), said, “After a discussion with Jaaz authorities, we found some 'social awareness' elements in the film. That's why we gave permission.”
He could not say whether entry to the shows will be free or it require tickets.
In 2015, the RU administration backtracked from the decision to screen commercial film “Chhuye Dile Mon” following student protests.
Mentionable, Rajshahi city used to have four cinema halls, while there were 50 others in nine upazilas across the district in the 1990s. At present, there is none.
Sazzad Bokul, associate professor of mass communication and journalism and a film enthusiast, said, “It is a commercial film and will hamper the university's atmosphere of making creative films. No university should allow this kind of screening.”
When asked, Prof Malay Kumar Bhowmick, of management studies, said he talked to Vice Chancellor Abuds Sobhan and learnt that the decision was taken for the “greater interest” of society because the film has some social awareness issues.
“It's acceptable then,” he said.
The VC did not receive calls from the correspondent.
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