‘The removal of my films was almost certainly a politico-ideological decision’: Tanvir Mokammel
Recently, National Film Award-winning filmmaker Tanvir Mokammel questioned on social media the removal of his acclaimed films “Lalsalu” and “Chitra Nodir Pare” from Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ in-flight entertainment catalogue. Both films had been available to passengers for several years.
Biman, however, stated that the removal was part of its regular content rotation and was not specific to Mokammel’s films. According to the airline, its in-flight entertainment catalogue is regularly updated based on factors such as licensing periods, storage limitations, and passenger preferences. Biman also noted that it does not own the content it screens, instead obtaining temporary screening rights through content service providers and media brokers.
In an interview with The Daily Star, Mokammel shared his concerns over the decision, recalling the history of his films on Biman flights and explaining why he believes the removal of “Lalsalu” and “Chitra Nodir Pare” warrants closer scrutiny.
Mokammel recalled that Biman had previously carried seven of his feature films—"Nodir Naam Modhumoti", "Chitra Nodir Pare", "Lalsalu", "Lalon", "Rabeya", "Jibondhuli", and "Rupsa Nodir Banke"—along with two documentaries, "1971" and "Seemantorekha".
According to the filmmaker, the selection changed following the events of 2024.
“Bangladesh Biman used to showcase my seven full-length fiction films and two documentaries,” he said. “After the events of 2024, they removed all my films on the Liberation War. To my chagrin, they have now declined to show ‘Lalsalu’ and ‘Chitra Nodir Pare’ too.”
For Mokammel, the timing of the removal is particularly significant given the themes of the two films and their histories.
Released in 2001, “Lalsalu” is based on Syed Waliullah’s celebrated novel of the same name. The film centers on Majid, a self-serving religious figure who establishes a fake shrine and exploits the faith of villagers for personal gain.
Mokammel recalled that the film faced opposition following its release, preventing it from being screened in Sylhet and Khulna.
“Each government has its own ideology,” he said. “The film ‘Lalsalu’ is based on Syed Waliullah’s classic novel about a mullah and his fake shrine. After the film was released in 2001, due to opposition from Islamist forces, it could not be shown in Sylhet and Khulna.”
“So you see, the film ‘Lalsalu’ has a history of opposition from the political and religious establishment of this country. Bangladesh Biman’s recent decision to push ‘Lalsalu’ out of their catalogue has to be seen in this perspective,” he added.
“Lalsalu” went on to receive multiple National Film Awards and remains one of Mokammel’s most recognized works.
The filmmaker also drew attention to the subject matter of “Chitra Nodir Pare”, released in 1998. The film follows a Hindu family in the aftermath of the Partition of Bengal, exploring displacement, communal tensions, and the loss of home. It went on to win seven National Film Awards.
“‘Chitra Nodir Pare’ is about the plight of a Hindu family after the Partition of Bengal,” Mokammel said. “The film dealt with an anti-communal idea, an idea which is anathema to the present ruling clique of Bangladesh.”
Asked whether he had been informed before the films were removed from Biman’s entertainment system, Mokammel replied simply: “No.”
Biman has maintained that the removal is part of its regular catalogue changes, with content being replaced as screening rights expire and new titles are added. Mokammel, however, remains unconvinced that the length of time the films had been available fully explains their removal.
“The excuse of a ten-year time frame is just an alibi, as their programme list includes films from much older times as well,” he said.
He further alleged that ideological considerations may have influenced the decision, claiming that some government offices now employ individuals who, in his view, work against secular and pro-Liberation War initiatives.
“Unfortunately, my two social-realist films, ‘Lalsalu’ and ‘Chitra Nodir Pare’, have become victims of their maneuvers,” he said. “The reason to remove these two films was not any time frame, but a politico-ideological decision.”
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