Covid-19 plays villain in Eid cinema

Going to the Cinema hall to watch movies adds to the festivity of Eid for many. But for various reasons, the country's film industry has been in dire straits for the last few decades. But even then a handful of cinemas were being released every year.

Like everything else, the movie business has come to a standstill due to Corona epidemic. Although the government has declared a general holiday across the country since March 26, most of the country's cinema halls were closed a week before that. As a result, not a single cinema was released this Eid. Cinema hall owners say last year was the worst time for hall owners. Except for two to three Eid movies, no other film could do business. There was some hope for a turnaround this year. But Corona has finished everything. Kazi Shoaib Rashid, president of the Hall Owners Association, said all the cinema halls in the country have been closed for more than two months. As a result, the employees of these halls are living an inhuman life. Hall owners have been waiting all year for Eid movies, he said.  

Iftekhar Uddin Nowshad, president of the Film Exhibitors Association, said this is an unprecedented event. Corona has taken away the joy of Eid from the people associated with this industry.

Khorshed Alam Khasru, president of the Producers' Association, said, "People all over the world are under house arrest due to the Corona outbreak. General holidays are going on in all sectors in Bangladesh too. It is difficult to say how long such a situation will last.  Badiul Alam Khokon, secretary general of the Directors Association, said not only the release of films but also production of films has come to a standstill. Most of the films under production have suspended shooting due to corona outbreak.  Uncertainty prevails over the release of films for Eid-ul-Azha as well, he added.