Wearing white crisp shrouds and carrying various banners, the Dhallywood stars yesterday chanted slogans and walked the street in protest of Hindi film release in the country.
Top actors Shakib Khan, Rubel, Amit Hasan, Ahmed Sharif, Amrita Khan, Pari Moni, Nijhum Rubina, Zayed Khan and others led the procession, which began at around 1:30pm from Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) premise in the capital and ended at Jatiya Press Club.
Noted directors Sohanur Rahman Sohan, Mushfiqur Rahman Gulzar, Delwar Jahan Jhantu and Mustafizur Rahman Manik accompanied the celebrities.
The procession, organised by Bangladesh Cholochitro Oikkyajot, was an outburst of the silver screen fraternity against the government decision to allow screening of Hindi-language films in the local theatres.
18 other organisations, which are part of the Oikkyajot, also participated in the procession.
Later at a human chain held in front of the Jaitya Press Club, Sohanur Rahman Sohan said: “Our industry is already struggling and allowing Hindi films at this stage will be really detrimental. Instead of helping the industry, the government is allowing Hindi films and destroying our livelihood.”
Secretary General of the directors’ association Mushfiqur Rahman Gulzar said they had sent a memorandum to the prime minister.
“We are expecting something positive. So far our movement has been really peaceful. If our demands are not met soon, we will be forced to take strong measures.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Bangladesh Film Directors’ Association announced to halt production work of all films in the country.
Vice President of the association Sohanur Rahman Sohan said letters had been sent to all the BFDC and outdoor units to stop their work.
“This import of Hindi films will totally destroy our local industry and we cannot let that happen,” he said.
The Bollywood film “Wanted”, starring Salman Khan, is scheduled for release in more than 80 cinemas across the country on January 23.
Earlier in 2010, the Ministry of Commerce allowed 12 Indian films to be imported and screened in the country. Among them, nine were Hindi and three were Bangla.
Since then a faction of the local film industry has been demonstrating against the decision.
The Indian Bangla films – Jor, Badla and Sangram – were released in 2011.
The Hindi films that were allowed were Sholay, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Don, Wanted, Three Idiots, Taare Zameen Par, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Dil To Pagal Hain and Kuch Kuch Hota Hain.
Out of them, Wanted is the only film which is ready to hit the theatres.
The association of cinema owners, however, are in favour of releasing Hindi films on the ground of saving their business. They said many theatres were closed down due to the failure of local films and they releasing foreign films could be a boost for the industry.
