During her 16-year tenure, Sheikh Hasina greatly supported Bangladesh's arts and culture. However, her administration faced sharp criticism from the cultural sector, particularly for banning or halting the release of at least six high-profile films.
While the number may seem small, it raised concerns about freedom of expression in a democratic society.
Analysts suggest that if these films had been released, they might have paved the way for many more, further strengthening freedom of speech.
With Hasina's recent fall from power, attention has once again turned to these films.
‘Namuna’ by Enamul Karim Nirjhar
One of the country's most celebrated architects, Enamul Karim Nirjhar is also a prominent cultural activist. He gained recognition in the film industry with the release of "Aha!" in 2007, a film regarded as a modern landmark in Bangla cinema, earning him a National Film Award.
However, his subsequent film, "Namuna," funded by a government grant, was shelved by the censor board.
The film addresses some of Bangladesh’s social and political realities, and it has been rumoured that it includes negative portrayals of Hasina and Khaleda Zia, reflecting the “minus two” formula of the previous caretaker government era.
Although the film was made during the caretaker period, its release was halted upon the return of Hasina to power.
Though the director maintains that the film is a story about the youth and a new Bangladesh, it remains to be seen how the new, youth-driven government will handle it.
Interestingly, the story may reflect an anti-discrimination movement, something that played out just recently in real life – a narrative that Nirjhar might have envisioned 15 years ago.
The director has been largely silent on the matter for a long time and remains mostly quiet because he believes that a truly democratic environment has yet to emerge in the country, which would allow the film to be properly understood by the authorities. As a result, Nirjhar is not very enthusiastic about "Namuna."
"The censor board asked me to make several cuts, which I could not do. It is hard enough to find investors for films these days, and I do not have the funds to reshoot and make the changes they requested. Who will provide that money? So the film remains as it was. I made the film following the processes required for government-funded projects, focusing on the social and political realities of the country. Yet, it is still stuck. I do not know if it will ever see the light of day."
‘Rana Plaza’ by Nazrul Islam Khan
The complexity arises when state organs collectively act like an octopus, suppressing the truth. This is the terrifying reality faced by the film "Rana Plaza," based on the country's most devastating structural disaster.
Despite being ready for release on September 4, 2015 and receiving clearance, the director learned on the evening of September 3 that the High Court had imposed a ban on its release. Moreover, the film was prohibited from being shown abroad or through any other medium.
The ban came after Sirajul Islam, then-president of the Bangladesh National Garments Workers-Employees League, claimed in a writ petition that the film contained "frightening" scenes.
Director Nazrul Islam Khan said at the time that making the film had left him financially ruined.
He has not made another film since.
However, he is now more hopeful and believes that the film might finally see the light of day.
"This time, I hope to receive justice for the injustice done by information ministry officials back in 2015."
"Rana Plaza" was based on the tragic collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Savar on April 24, 2013. The film starred Pori Moni in her debut role, opposite Symon Sadik, and was produced by Shamima Akhtar.
‘My Bicycle’ (‘Mor Thengari’ in Chakma) by Aung Rakhine
The first film made in the Chakma language in Bangladesh, ‘My Bicycle’ has been shelved for nine years.
In May 2015, Aung submitted the film to the censor board. Despite continuous requests and struggles over the last nine years, this 64-minute film has not received clearance for screening.
Aung said the censor board had demanded he cut 25 minutes from the 64-minute film to get approval. "What would remain of the film then?"
He did not comply with the condition and instead waited for the right time.
That time seemed to have arrived with the fall of the Hasina government on August 5. However, there are doubts about whether the new government will let Aung preserve his vision and the quality of his film, as the movie contains some sensitive content related to the military.
"I have been through a lot. At one point, I even told the censor board's vice chairman that I did not need the certificate. ‘Just send it to my house whenever you feel it is appropriate.’"
Even after the change in government, Aung remains steadfast in his protest and pride. He has focused on new films, possibly believing that no government will ever take responsibility for his 2015 movie.
“My Bicycle” features various actors, including Kamal Moni Chakma, Indira Chakma, Yu Ching Hola Rakhine, Binai Kanti Chakma, Anand Chakma, Subhash Chakma and Zoradan Chakma.
The story was written by the director himself, with a screenplay by Nasiful Walid. The film was produced by Ma Nan Khing and distributed by Khona Talkies.
‘Saturday Afternoon’ by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki
‘Saturday Afternoon’ is one of the most talked-about films in the country, stuck with the censor board for several years. The film's backdrop is the horrific terrorist attack at Holey Artisan Bakery, directed by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki.
Even the combined impact of these factors could not sway the censor board authorities. Despite intense pressure on the government from various quarters, the film failed to secure clearance.
Farooki submitted the film for approval in 2019.
The director said he believed that no other film would be held back in this way as a result of the Students Against Discrimination movement. "Bangladesh needs to break free from the culture of silencing voices. This is why the revolution has taken place. We do not want to be imprisoned… that was the main goal of the movement."
Inspired by the 2016 terrorist attack at Holey Artisan in Gulshan, Dhaka, the film features performances by Nusrat Imrose Tisha, Zahid Hasan, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Nader Chowdhury, Iresh Zaker, Intekhab Dinar and others.
‘Makeup’ by Anonno Mamun
This film is not based on any specific event or incident, but it hides within its layers the untold stories of the glamorous world, where politics also plays a role. The movie stunned everyone by getting stuck at the censor board.
The latest hearing in the appeal committee took place on January 21, 2023, where the board said the film was of very poor construction, had a weak script, had bad shots and, for various other reasons, was unfit for screening.
On the other hand, censor board member Khorshed Alam Khasru said the film "Makeup" had been banned because it portrayed the people of the film industry in a derogatory manner.
The filmmaker, Anonno Mamun, said he believed no film should be banned. “At most, the censor board can provide its observations or suggest revisions. It can also mark films as adult content. Instead of doing any of this, the board directly banned the film.”
In a new and transformed Bangladesh, Mamun believes that all films, including "Makeup," which have been banned, will eventually see the light of release.
"Makeup" is based on the lives of Dhallywood industry artists. Various characters in the movie are portrayed by Tariq Anam Khan, Roshan, Saif Chandan, Kazi Uzzal and Payel Mukherjee.
‘Omimangshito’ by Raihan Rafi
This is the final nail in the coffin of cinema during Hasina's regime. The film, made for a streaming platform, was declared "unfit for screening" by the Bangladesh Film Censor Board just three months ago.
The censor board should not even be commenting on streaming platform content, yet it banned the film.
The information ministry mentioned four reasons for banning the film: The movie contains brutal murder scenes; the fictional story, screenplay and dialogue bear similarities to reality; an incident similar to that portrayed in the movie has occurred in reality; and the case related to the incident is under trial, and the film's story/content could convey a misleading message and obstruct the investigation.
The film was directed by Raihan Rafi and is based on one of the most controversial events during Hasina's rule, the murder of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi.
Their only child, Megh, was seen recently cleaning the burned house of Bangabandhu at Dhamnondi 32. Yet, even after 16 years of rule, the government of Bangabandhu's daughter could not deliver justice for his parents' murder. Moreover, a film about the horrific double murder remains banned for unknown reasons.
Recalling memories from three months ago, Raihan said he had initially heard that the censor board would issue an uncut certificate after watching the film. “The next day, I heard it was banned for unknown reasons… I understood everything but remained silent. As filmmakers, there is not much we can do. Now, I will apply again. If permission is granted, great. If not, we will stay silent again."
The film stars Imtiaz Barshon and Tanzika Amin in the lead roles.
