In an effort to understand the challenges and tentative guidelines, The Daily Star reached out to board members and stakeholders. Their insights highlight the complexities of transitioning from the long-standing censor board to a modern certification body.

The film features an ensemble cast, including well-known actors such as Tariq Anam Khan, Arman Parvez Murad, Lutfur Rahman George, Shadhin Khasru, Faruque Ahmed, Shabnam Parvin, Ejajul Islam, Jamil, Pran Roy, and Shohel Mondol.

Hopeful outcomes from the new establishment will take months or years of work, research and the final formation of the act and its accompanying set of rules.

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam announced that a certification board will be formed soon under the Bangladesh Film Certification Act, 2023.

The Bangladesh Film Censor Board is the regulatory body responsible for reviewing new films submitted by filmmakers—board members assess films to determine if they should be approved for release. 

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is expected to issue directives for the board's restructuring within the next week, according to a source at the censor board.

In this new committee, among the members from the acting profession are Sujata Azim, Aruna Biswas, Rokeya Prachi, Purnima and Azizul Hakim. Additionally, film producer Khasru and filmmaker Jahangir Alam will also serve as members of the committee for one year.

The permission to import films had only been given in the recent past. So far, after the verification of bank LC and other documents by Censor Board, a letter was sent on April 27 to have “Pathaan” imported from customs to the Film Censorship Board, asking to be given a NOC (Non Objection Certificate).

Bangladesh censor board must assign appropriate ratings to films

At the very heart of a democratic society rests the freedom to speak, to create, and to choose.

The censor board infringes on the freedom of the artiste and the audience in equal parts.