The government provides 55 to 65 lakhs each in grant money for the production and development of certain movies. Recently, the purpose and use of these grants have come into question.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting published the list of grants under the financial year 2022-23 on June 18. 22 full-length and 6 short-length films are to be recipients of the generous government funding.
There are many regular faces on the list of the government's subsidy scheme. A big win for many filmmakers, but the rhyme or reason behind such large continuous grants remains unspecified.
First introduced in the fiscal year of 1976-77, the government grant was created to develop domestic films. These subsidies have been granted almost every year, increasing in amount as well. However, questions have always been raised about the selection, quality and production process of the films selected for the grants.
“Circus” directed by Noor Imran Mithu and “Lal Mia” directed by Nurul Alam Atique are getting the maximum amount of 65 lakhs in the full-length film category.
Under the “Liberation War” category, Badrun Nahar Roxy has been allocated 60 lakhs for the film “Joddha Shishu” directed by Mohammad Ullah.
60 lakhs was additionally granted to Mahin Mahnuma for “Bhor” and Shamima Islam Tusty for “Maatir Rajkumar” under the “Liberation War: Children's branch”. Producer and director Aka Reza Ghalib is getting the same amount of grant in the same branch for his movie “Maast Borolok”.
Rezwan Shahriar Sumit, producer and director of the film “Master”, Masood Pathik, producer and director of the film “The August”, Rokeya Prachi, producer and director of the film “Renur Muktijuddho”, Jyotika Jyoti, producer of the film “Lara” are all getting 60 lakhs for the individual films.
Producer and director Sadiq Siddiqui is getting 55 lakhs for “Dena Paona” in the general category. Producer Syed Ashiq Rahman and director Kaushik Shankar Das of the film “Shurjo Shontan”, producer Kazi Rubayat Hayat of the film “Shironam” and director SM Tarek Rahman, producer and director Rasheda Akhter Lazuk of the film “Shapla Shaluk”, producer Yasir Arafat of the film “Amar Mukti Aloy Aloy are receiving 55 lakhs for each film respectively.
SD Rubel, producer and director of “Neel Akashe Pakhi Ure”, Fakhrul Arefin Khan, producer and director of “Neel Josnar Jibon”, Mostafizur Rahman Manik, producer and director of “Rukhsar” are getting 60 lakhs for each film.
Meanwhile, the recipients of grants under the short film category are:
-Sajjad Zahir, producer and director of “Nishibok”.
-Shahidul Islam producer and director of “Npdai”.
-Noorjahan Alim, producer and director of “Rongila Nayer Majhi”.
-Mir Shamsul Alam Babu, director of “Noor: Choy Shobder Etihaash”.
-Subarna Senjuti Tushi producer and director of “Shonar Nakshikantha”.
-Asma Akhter Liza producer and director of “Coffin”.
Each film is receiving 15 to 20 lakhs respectively.
