Farooki, a renowned filmmaker, acknowledged the longstanding neglect of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. "Let’s not hide the fact—everyone knows the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has long been neglected. The budget for this sector is always limited. But my advantage is that I have an incredible team. Mohammad Azam is at the Bangla Academy, and he’s a brand! I have been following his work for a long time.”

Farooki, renowned for his critically acclaimed films and television dramas, has been entrusted with overseeing the Cultural Affairs Ministry.

The director who has made popular films including “Television” and “Doob - No Bed of Roses” has been a vocal supporter of the student-led mass uprising.

The much-anticipated rom-com “36-24-36”, starring actress Parthana Fardeen Dighi, has received an uncut Universal (U) rating from the Censor Certification Board, signaling its suitability for audiences of all ages. 

Founded in 1998, Chabial has since produced advertisements, television dramas, and films under its banner. Farooki’s first production under Chabial was “Waiting Room”, which no television channel wanted to buy at the time. However, the landscape has drastically changed over the years.

Filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has been a vocal supporter of the anti-discrimination student movement since its inception. While he didn’t participate directly in the street protests, Farooki consistently expressed his solidarity with the students through multiple posts on Facebook. Eventually, he also aligned himself with the one-point movement calling for the former government's resignation.

Numerous films faced bans during the previous administration, with some caught up in legal disputes while others were shelved for unexplained reasons. Producers voiced their frustration over films stalled in the censor board's approval process, but their protests yielded no resolution. For years, filmmakers have called for the abolition of the censor board in favour of a system of censor certification. 

Farooki, known for his bold commentary, took to social media to voice his discontent. “Do we want films about the BDR mutiny? The atrocities committed by the Rakkhi Bahini after the Liberation War? Or the disappearances orchestrated by Hasina, Ziaul, and Tareq Siddiqui?” he asked. His series of provocative questions highlighted what he views as the censorship board’s role in stifling critical narratives, particularly those that challenge the ruling Awami League’s version of history.

Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, known for his sharp and thought-provoking narratives, has established himself as a prominent figure in the drama genre within the world of cinema. Over the years, he has directed several intense films and series, one of which, "Saturday Afternoon", has faced significant delays due to various challenges. 

In a heartfelt social media post, Farooki pleaded with the public to show empathy and support to the police officers returning to their duties. He wrote, “We hope that our brothers and sisters in the police force will return to their duties within a day or two. We have high hopes that they will become a new police force for a new Bangladesh.”

In such challenging times, when protesters and civilians were indiscriminately killed, wholesale arrests, block raids, and a nationwide internet shutdown violated citizens' fundamental rights, keeping the nation on edge for weeks– only a few had the courage to raise their voices against the oppression and injustice.

"Today is July 35. We stand a little away from independence. March ahead together, with determination,”-- writes filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki on his social handle. 

Rapper Hannan Hossain Shimul, who recently released his rap about the quota reform movement, was arrested on July 25 by police officers. He was subsequently held on a two-day remand. 

In a striking display of unity and protest, numerous Bangladeshi celebrities have changed their profile pictures on social media to a solid field of red, in response to the deaths during the recent quota reform protests. This movement has quickly gained traction, showcasing the collective voice of the people against violence and injustice.

ZEE5, an Indian streaming service, launched in Bangladesh with much fanfare on July 3, 2019. The platform created numerous programmes spotlighting local producers and artistes. However, due to an underwhelming audience response, ZEE5 eventually ceased its operations here.

Once musician Xefer took a turn and decided to debut as an actor while also adopting a new look with straightened hair, that too for Mostofa Sarwar Farooki’s project, it left netizens mesmerised. Moreover, the awestruck people were also eagerly awaiting her on-screen pairing with seasoned actor Chanchal Chowdhury. However, the anticipation led to much disappointment when the greater bit of the audience did not find the movie appealing.

Reflecting on his web debut, Shuddho shared, “It was quite pressuring to share the screen with baba. I remember, the night before my first day of shooting, I couldn't sleep due to nervousness.”

The power-packed performer and three-time National Film Award-winning actor Chanchal Chowdhury is gearing up with some exciting new projects on OTT after a while. For this upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, he will be featured in the much-awaited Chorki-backed original web-film, “The Last Defenders of Monogamy”, directed by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki.

The first-ever Cinevesture International Film Festival (CIFF) in India has announced its lineup of projects set to participate in its accompanying market, comprising an exciting array of 20 productions.

Director Mostofa Sarwar Farooki was initially hospitalised on Tuesday due to a minor brain stroke. Currently, he is under observation in the Neuro-ICU as advised by the doctors.