Friday, April 19, 2024
Commerce ministry’s newly appointed administrator of cinemas Abdul Awal held a closed-door meeting with three hall owners, several tenants and booking agents in Dhaka amid restricted reopening of markets and shopping malls ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, against the backdrop of coronavirus pandemic.
It was learnt that Iftekhar Uddin Nawshad (Madhumita Cinema Hall owner), Atiqur Rahman Liton (cinema hall owner) Sirajul Islam Badol (Borsha cinema hall owner), Pappu (Nandita cinema hall renter), Aleek Akbar (Monihar cinema hall renter), Kalam (Asia cinema hall renter), Mubin (Chitra Mahal cinema hall renter), another renter Ajit Nandi and hall booking agents Alim Sarder and Shahidul Haque Master took part in the meeting held at Madhumita cinema hall Sunday (May 17) afternoon.
Rumour has it that Bangladesh Film Exhibitors’ Association and the newly appointed administrator took a conflicting stance. At the same time, the clandestine meeting is also being criticized. Though the three cinema owners said that the cinema hall tenants participated in the meeting as they have voting rights as well, but the exhibitors’ association rejects this claim.
It was learnt that Iftekhar Uddin Nawshad, former president of Bangladesh Film Exhibitors’ Association, has been opposing the initiative of the body's election since the beginning. Hall owners alleged that he illegally occupied the president's post for extra two years and eight months and at a time he was also a member of the censor board. Differences arose when he wished to continue as the president for another consecutive term which clashes with the body's charter.
A committee was formed through a selection process after the commission gave a deadline for the polls. A hall owner Atiqur Rahman Liton submitted an objection letter to the ministry in this regard and the commerce ministry then appointed an administrator to investigate into the crisis.
Abdul Awal said he was appointed the administrator of cinemas for arranging a fair election of the hall owners’ association and therefore he held the meeting.
“I told them (in the meeting) to provide me with an office so that I can hold an election after updating everything. They said they will consider the matter,” he said.
Asked about participation of hall tenants and agents in the meeting, he said he wasn’t aware of it.
Regarding Sunday’s meeting at Madhumita Cinema Hall, Bangladesh Film Exhibitors’ Association President Kazi Shoyeb Rashid said his association has faith in Abdul Awal and he has the right to hold such a meeting.
“Though the matter has been taken to the court, the association has been running office activities on the top floor of Sultana Tower in Kalabagan for last six months. He (Abdul Awal) may contact the office if he wants” he added.
A reliable source attending the Sunday’s meeting said Iftekhar Uddin Nawshad and Atiqur Rahman Liton opined to reopen cinema halls with shows of old films, though the administrator did not give any assurance in this regard.
Asked whether cinema halls will be reopened amid this coronavirus pandemic, the hall exhibitors’ association firmly said they will follow the directives of the government.
