DHAKA, Sept 24, 2020 (BSS)- Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said ‘Bhalobasha Pritilata’, a film that will be made based on the first woman Bengali revolutionary nationalist of the Indian subcontinent against the British regime, would present the history of glory to the new generation.
“It is an exemplary model that how the meritorious Pritilata was involved in the movement throughout the subcontinent, when women did not go out of the house,” he said, addressing the ‘mohorat’ ceremony of the film at the auditorium of Tathya Bhaban in the city’s Kakrail area.
The film will be made based on Selina Hossain’s novel with the grant of the Information Ministry for the financial year 2019-20.
Chattogram University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Shirin Akthar addressed the function as special guest with writer Selina Hossain in the chair.
Department of Films and Publications director general SM Golam Kibria, cultural organizer Amin Helali, film director Pradip Ghose, music director Bappa Majumder and actor Mannan Hira, among others, addressed the function.
Hasan hoped that besides Bangladesh, the film will be screened in India and other countries.
The information minister said the film will enrich the history if it can be made properly and it (Bhalobasha Pritilata) would also play a pivotal role to know the real history by those who don’t know the history of the movement of revolution.
He said the new generation should build themselves nurturing values, patriotism and affection if they want to reach the country to its dream destination, and the film could play an important role to this end.
He said film does not only entertain people or tells of history, it also encourages people to do many great jobs. “Every film should contain a message. Now, many people only think for themselves. But, Pritilata devoted herself to the country about hundred years ago,” said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.
The information minister said a 32-page statement of the subcontinent’s freedom struggle was found in the pocket of Pritilata, who was killed by the British regime and the statement is in the book.
He said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, realising the impact of films on society, tabled a bill in the provincial assembly of erstwhile East Pakistan for the formation of Film Development Corporation (FDC) in 1957 and in continuation to that, the FDC was established. “Bangabandhu’s daughter and our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is also a cultural-friendly person. Culture was practiced in her family,” he added.
The information minister said many films were made in the country after establishing the FDC that have played a huge role in the creation of the country in the post-independence movement, freedom struggle and independence. But, the situation has now been changed, he added.
“Our aim is to bring back the golden time of the film industry. For this, the amount of grant has been increased Taka 10 crore from five crore this year. A total of 16 films have received grant this year. And the Prime Minister has given approval to form a special fund to give long-term loan for reopening the closed cinema halls, constructing new halls and modernizing other ones,” he added.
Film Censor Board vice chairman Md Jashim Uddin, its secretary Maminul Haque, actress Nusrat Imroj Tisha, actors Mannan Hira and Mostafa Kamal Pasha, among others, took part in the function.