Dhallywood director requests audience not to watch his film

It is only natural for a film director to urge the cinemagoers to watch his/her film in theatres, but it seems a Dhallywood director wants it the other way. Ahead of the release of director Zakir Hossain Raju's film “Bhalo Theko”, a poster stuck on the walls of Dhaka city is baffling the city dwellers as it specifically requests university students, teachers and political activists not to watch the film. Circulated by the director himself, the poster also contains his photo. When speculations are rife that the poster is a part of a sly campaign spearheaded by the director to bring the baffled citizens to the theatres, Raju completely denied the allegation, saying: “This is not a negative campaign.” Then why would the director want to bar a certain segment of the audience from watching his film? Raju says he certainly has an answer, but he will reveal it only after the release of the film. “Many people are calling me, asking why I took such a stance. To them I would say, this is not a negative branding strategy. I will clarify further, but only after the release of the film,” said the National Award-winning director. “I think the audience will get the answer by themselves after watching the film,” he added. The film, starring Arifin Shuvoo and Tanha Tasnia, was released on Friday on the occasion of the coming Valentine's day. Shuvoo, who plays the male lead in the film, said the film contained some important messages and everything would be clarified once the film-goers watch the film. “Bhalo Theko,” the 20th feature film of Zakir Hossain Raju, also features Kazi Hayat, Amzad Hossain, Tanin, Rebeka, MA Shahid and Asif Imroz in different roles. Produced by the Ovi Kothachitro, Bangladesh's Shafique Tuhin and India's Savvy composed the music of the film. “Bhalo Theko” will be screened in around 100 theatres nationwide.