Controversies cannot stop me from doing my job: Ananta Jalil

"Din- The Day" was released in 107 halls across the country. The film is directed by Iranian filmmaker Morteza Atashzamzam. The film, according to Ananta Jalil, had a budget of BDT 100 crores.

Ananta, known to make 'impossible things possible', talks to The Daily Star about his film.

How are the audience receiving the film?

After the film's release, I have visited many halls, and seen the craze of the audience for "Din- The Day". It is much more than what we had expected. We are elated that our film is running at the highest number of halls not only in the capital, but in the entire country.

Could you explain about the craze of the audience?

The audience has loved the movie -- one hundred percent. There has been a scarcity for tickets, for the film. People are buying tickets in advance. I have never acted in any project which would leave my audience unentertained. I make movies so that people go to the cinema halls. I am successful in doing that.

There has been an ongoing debate about the budget of the film. What is your take on that?

Controversies cannot stop me from doing my job. I have invested for the shoots which took in Bangladesh, while the rest of the portion was carried by the Iranian producer. At the same time, no matter what people say, the film is genuinely budgeted at BDT 100 crore.

How much would be your remuneration for acting in any other producer's film?

So far, I have not worked for anyone else's movie. If I ever work in any project, I would not agree less than BDT 90 Lakh as my remuneration. Also, if Barsha signs any film, she will take BDT 30 Lakh.

"Din-The Day" was supposed to have a screening where 74 celebrities from the film industry were invited. However, most of them did not appear. What was your reaction to it?

I'm usually busy for business purposes; thus, I cannot keep up with the connection with everyone in the industry. They were invited on my behalf, and even I invited some of them personally. We expected their presence. However, they did not show up. It feels like we are calling the fraternity a family just for the sake of it. This made me upset for a while. Nonetheless, the love that the audience have been showering upon us made me forget everything else.

Translated by Sharmin Joya