A Celebration of Bangladeshi Films

Soovas Dutt (2-R) receives crest from Abul Kalam Azad; M. Hamid and Faridur Reza Sagar are also seen in the photo.

Happy times returned to BFDC (Bangladesh Film Development Corporation) last Friday, as Channel i and BFDC jointly hosted a fair to celebrate Bangladeshi cinema. Thousands thronged BFDC premises to add to the already festive atmosphere of the fairthe fourth instalment.
The big guns of the silver screen, along with the rising stars, started arriving since morning, with authorities having a hard time managing the inflow of film enthusiasts at the venue.
Officially inaugurating the fair at 11am, Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Abul Kalam Azad termed the government's decision to increase grants for Bangladeshi films a “positive development”. He further expressed hopes of Bangladeshi cinema returning to its glory days, adding his best wishes for the next movie fairs to be held on a grander scale.
Also present at the inauguration were Information Secretary Hedayetullah Al Mamun NDC; Managing Director of BFDC, M. Hamid; Impress Telefilm Managing Director Faridur Reza Sagar; President of Film Producers' Association, Masud Parvez; President of Film Directors' Association, Mohammad Hannan; President of Camera Artistes Association, Abdul Latif Bachchu; President of Film Editors' Guild, Abu Musa Debu; President of Film Artistes' Association, Shakib Khan; seasoned actors Razzaq, Alamgir and others.
Veteran filmmaker Soovas Dutt received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Bangladeshi cinema. M. Hamid and Faridur Reza Sagar handed him a cheque worth Taka One lakh, as part of the award. Dutt said that it was everyone's love that kept him going through the years, and it is that same love that he seeks for the rest of his days.
This edition of the fair took place at the Nayak Jasim floor of BFDC, with Cute Cosmetics acting as its chief sponsor.
Singers Abdul Jabbar and Mohammad Khurshid Alam received special recognitions for their efforts in film music. Actresses Nutan and Anjana, meanwhile, also received special recognitions for their contributions to Bangladeshi cinema. Contemporary actors, Shakib Khan, Moushumi and Misha Sawdagar also received special honours.
The daylong festivities included a cultural programme, featuring Mohammad Khurshid Alam, Subir Nandi, Rizia Parvin, S.I. Tutul, Kona, Tele Samad performing at the event. Actors Ilias Kanchan, Rozina, Anjana, Omar Sunny, Amin Khan, Helal Khan, Nipun, Shahnur, Shilpi, Samrat and Sahara also performed to the music. Razzaq, Bapparaj and Shilpi launched the performances.
Both veterans and rookies of the movie industry held casual chats throughout the daysharing memories and experiences.
Different stalls were also erected at the venue, featuring movie related books, CDs and other merchandise. The Eagle Video stall drew attentionwith a large number of people rushing to buy the collection of black and white movies from the 1970s and '80s. The poster exhibition by Bangladesh Cine Still Photographers Association was also a mentionable event.
Wall posters also put up the images of 84 movie stars whom we have lost.
Abdur Rahman was the project manager of the fair, while event direction was conducted by Taher Shipon.
Apu Mahfuz and Moushumi Barua hosted the entire event, with Channel i airing the programme live.