‘Why should art face censorship where the constitution ensures freedom of speech?’

As soon as the film industry faced a wind of change and people started coming back to cinema halls, one of the leading films, Mejbaur Rahman Sumon's "Hawa", faced allegations from the Forest Department's Wildlife Crime Prevention Unit for violating the Wildlife Conservation and Safety Act in the movie.

Further aggravating the artistes, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki's much anticipated "Shonibar Bikel" is still not getting a clearance from the censor board.

Artistes organised a press conference yesterday, demanding an explanation for these alleged 'attacks on art'.

The press conference, titled "'Golpo Bolar Shadhinota Chai" was held at Dhaka Reporters' Unit yesterday. The artistes put forward a five-point demand at the event.

Artistes Nasir Uddin Yousuff, Morshedul Islam, Tariq Anam Khan, Shampa Reza, Chanchal Chowdhury, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, Zahid Hasan, Jaya Ahsan, Afsana Mimi, Nurul Alam Atique, Masum Reza, Amitabh Reza Chowdhury, Mejbaur Rahman Sumon, Azmeri Haque Badhan and Nazifa Tushi, among others, were present.

Jaya Ahsan speaking at the press conference.

Eminent director and media personality Nasir Uddin Yousuff said, "The moment people started coming back to the halls, it is not a good indication that a leading film is facing charges. Also, why did 'Saturday Afternoon' not get a clearance from the censor board? Where our constitution gives us right to free speech, why should art get no freedom?

"We thought we will tell the story of flowers, birds and the river", said Mejbaur Rahman Sumon. "Now, we have to cross off birds from the list – how can I tell the full story? I feel like I've entered a cage myself. Films should not be in the crosshairs for real-life acts."

"Should we stop making films?" said Jaya Ahsan, continuing, "In this world where deforestation is a major issue and animals are being treated inhumanely, what is the Forest Department doing in this regard? This is my question. Why are they targeting films and creative art?"

Mostofa Sarwar Farooki remarked that he still does not know why his film did not get clearance from the censor board. "Any form of art is like a headlight – if you shut it off, you won't see ahead."

Their five demands are as follows:

The case against "Hawa" under wildlife conservation laws should be withdrawn immediately.

The censor board should give a clear explanation as to why "Saturday Afternoon" is stuck at the censor board and not getting a clearance certificate.

Read more

Should we stop making films?: Jaya Ahsan

The censor board should be abolished and an updated and inclusive film certification law should be formulated, subject to consultation with all stakeholders regarding the proposed film certification law.

An updated and inclusive OTT policy needs to be formulated in consultation with all stakeholders, regarding the proposed OTT policy.

Before filing any case related to film or content, it must be discussed with the relevant authority (For example, the draft OTT policy proposes to create a separate commission board for the platforms).