He said this at an exchange of views meeting with leaders of the Bangladesh Film Exhibitors Association at the conference room of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Sunday morning. The State Minister said that the government is working with various plans according to the instructions of Prime Minister Tarek Rahman to develop the film industry.
Regarding the allocation of Tk 1,000 crore for the development of cinema halls, the State Minister said the matter will be scrutinized. If the government has a policy decision regarding the release of funds, necessary steps will be taken to implement it. He also said that discussions will be held with the Finance Minister and the Governor of Bangladesh Bank on this matter. He emphasized considering how the allocated funds can be used in both traditional cinema halls and cineplexes—both areas.
The State Minister said there is no alternative to producing quality domestic films to bring audiences back to cinema halls. Hall owners, producers, and directors must work together to take initiatives to produce and screen films according to audience demand. Alongside, in importing foreign films and exporting domestic films, it is necessary to consider culture, revenue income, and public interest.
Yaser Khan Chowdhury said that a ‘In Search of Talent’ program will be launched through Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) to create skilled manpower in the film industry. Emphasizing the introduction of e-ticketing in cinema halls, he said that a modern ticketing system can increase government revenue as well as bring transparency in hall management.
At the exchange of views meeting, leaders of the organization, including President of Bangladesh Film Exhibitors Association Awlad Hossain and General Secretary Sharfuddin Elahi Chowdhury, raised various proposals on the crisis of cinema halls, modernization, financing, and increasing audiences. The State Minister asked them to submit their demands in writing to the ministry and assured that work would be done on feasible proposals.
