Shakib Khan returns grant for shelved film ‘Maya’
Superstar Shakib Khan has returned the Tk 65 lakh government grant allocated for his long-stalled film, "Maya". The project, which was greenlit under the 2021–22 fiscal year's government funding scheme, failed to begin production even after three years, drawing widespread criticism and raising questions about the use of public funds in the entertainment sector.
The refund was confirmed by Mahbuba Farzana, secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, who told Ajker Patrika, "Shakib Khan has returned the grant. There were no formal complaints against him; he returned the money of his own accord."
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 
While Shakib's decision may seem surprising to some, it signals a shift towards accountability in Dhallywood's grant-backed productions. Farzana added that the ministry has already sent notices to several other producers who failed to complete their projects on time. "Some have returned their grants already. For those who haven't, we will take legal steps after the third reminder," she warned.
"Maya", announced with Himel Ashraf as its director, had initially received the first instalment of the grant in 2022. Since then, however, no progress has been reported. In contrast, another actor who received a grant in the same fiscal year, Apu Biswas, managed to complete and release her film "Laal Shari" two years ago. Directed by Bandhan Biswas, the film opened across multiple theatres and received praise for highlighting traditional handloom artisans.
The situation is not entirely unique. Last year actress Jaya Ahsan also returned her government grant for the film "Roid", originally approved during the 2020–21 fiscal year. Although Jaya stepped away from the project, director Mejbaur Rahman Sumon is still working on it.
In recent years, the Ministry of Information has come under increased pressure to ensure transparency and timely delivery to recipients of film grants. With state funds at stake, there is a growing public demand for accountability and visible results.
Comments