3rd August was the 53rd anniversary of Bengali cinema. So Dhaliwood is now in its 5th decade. Many actor and actresses have talked about today’s cinemas.

The famous Humayon Faridi nowadays works on selective films. Now he is mostly seen on TV plays. He is also directing plays now. Why is a man of cinema directing plays? He says, when we were in cinemas the stories were extraordinary. There was a lot in even a small character. Now there is scarcity of good stories in our country.

The script writers don’t have a good background. They see some of the hindi films and build a story from there. Thus the middle class and upper class educated audiences no longer watch Bengali films. Whatever I do I always call myself a film actor. Presently Shakib Khan is the viewers’ favorite actor. The audiences love him. According to Shakib Khan ‘the audience likes different types of films at different times. Right now they are more interested in romantic films. I take films according to audiences’ interest. That’s why now I am mostly working on romantic films. I think that presently the condition of our films is pretty good.’

On the other hand actress Moushumi who entered Bengali cinema in ’93 says, ‘the films being produced today have no previous planning. I have also seen that the story is being written while shooting is going on. But when we were working we saw that the producers would sit with us six months before the working would start, to talk about how the scenes would be, how to make it better etc. These things no longer exist. Thus it is not possible for us to improve the quality of Bengali cinema.’ Bengali cinemas now require new comers as well as skillful producers. Shabnur believes that in the future the new comers will lead Bengali cinemas. So they should be given more opportunities in cinema. Shabnur’s debut was on the film Chadnirat. She says that there’s only one problem now in our cinemas. And that is the lack of actors and actresses. And the audiences also want to see new faces.’

Riyaz thinks the present condition of Bengali cinema is very good. For almost a decade Bengali cinema was shadowed with indecency. Thus he is quiet satisfied with todays cinemas. He believes that this environment is the result of many struggles. Now is the time to make this environment fruitful. I believe that very soon our cinemas will gain acceptance from the world.’ But Ferdous could not agree with Riyaz. He thinks that healthy environment will not be enough because of video piracy. This has become a deadly disease for Bengali cinema. We have to remove piracy the same way we have removed indecency. Only then can we stop piracy or else Bengali cinema will be on the verge of destruction. We need help from government for this.’

Purnima has a different view about present cinemas. She thinks that Bengali cinemas are lacking good stories. And the cinema lovers and artists can feel that. Thus the well and famous writers should be inspired. I think that only then we can improve our cinemas.’ Popy is very happy that Bengali cinemas are no longer indecent as it was for almost a decade. She says, ‘this prevention of indecency has been very good for our cinemas and for us. There was a time when I was ashamed to call myself a film actress. Now we have regained the golden times for the government, taskforce and film artists.

Now it is time to just keep on working. Good cinemas are being produced. People are going to the cinema halls again. This is definitely very positive for our cinemas and us. Shahidul Islam Khokon came into the spotlight after directing the film ‘Loraku’ and then directed many more successful films such as Bhondo, Taka, Uhtanpoton etc. He says that he is very hopeful about this generation’s cinema. Now students are coming from universities. I think that they will also open this department in Dhaka University. Then our cinemas will further improve. In every country both good and bad films are produced. A while ago our cinemas were facing very bad days. Now that darkness is soon fading away. Good cinemas are being produced and will continue to do so.