Vulgarity in our films should be stopped

In a positive development, some acclaimed cinema directors and artistes including Razzak, Chashi Nazrul Islam and others have protested against this trend. Chashi Nazrul Islam says, 'In the earlier days, we could not even imagine that the cinema scenario would take this form. Vulgarity has become a norm for a handful because of some directors for whom the whole industry is now suffering. Obscene films are being made which cannot be viewed with family members. I strongly believe that if the handful of directors, who are also the executive members of the current committee of Bangladesh Film Producers and Distributors Association (BFPDA), are persuaded to create quality films rather than obscene films then the whole scenario will be changed.'

Ashrafuddin Ahmed Ujjal, however, views the current crisis from a different angle. As he says, 'We are very concerned about the crisis and are against vulgarity. I do not believe that the whole scenario will be changed by merely punishing 8 to 10 people.

It is the problem of the whole industry. Cinema is a collective work of the directors, artistes, technical crews and investors. So, we should jointly solve the problem. If someone is pointing a finger at only a few persons for the current crisis, I think he is doing that only for his personal interest.'

Ujjal adds, 'Above all, a strict rule should be introduced against video piracy and unauthorised screening of Bangla films by the cable operators. Secondly, the faulty Censorship Act of 1963 should be amended to meet the present needs and that modified Censorship Act must be applied strictly. Moreover, we have to assess the current satellite TV programmes as it has a tremendous impact on our culture.'

For the future of our film industry there is an urgent need to stop vulgarity in mainstream Bangla films. People behind obscene movies can neither justify vulgarity nor can they claim that they make these films for the sake of business. Previous records show that vulgar movies were never box office hits in the country. However, moves are now afoot to curb vulgarity in films and to make decent and commercially viable films for the audience.