DHAKA – Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today called for concerted efforts to bring back the golden era of country’s film industry.

“We have to work together to restore the golden chapter of our film industry for healthy cultural practices in the country,” he told the inaugural function of two-day National Film Day-2019 at Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) here.

Information Secretary Abdul Malek, Director General of Bangladesh Television (BTV) Harun-ur Rashid, Convener of the National Film Observance Committee Syed Hasan Imam, actors Alamgir and Iliyas Kanchan, among others, addressed the function.

Managing Director and Chief Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Abul Kalam Azad was present on the occasion.

The information minister said, “A film is the mirror of a society and it talks about the people. The films give entertainment too.”

The film industry is one of the oldest media in Bangladesh, he said, adding there were around 1,200 cinema halls across the country, but their number is now below 200.

The minister recalled that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, understanding 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) on April 3 in 1957 as the then Industries and Commerce Minister and in continuation to that the FDC was established.

Hasan said the present government has taken various initiatives including construction of Film Archive Bhaban for the development of film industry in the country.

“We will take all necessary initiatives for modernization of FDC,” he added.

The minister urged all concerned including producers and film directors to make good films for the development of film industry.

After the inaugural function, a rally, led by the minister, was brought out on the premises of FDC.

April 3 is being observed as National Film Day every year since 2012.

The programmes on the first day included rally, exhibition of still photo and films, discussion and seminar on film. Tomorrow, a cultural function will be held with the participation of various renowned cultural personalities. There will be also a laser show and firework display at FDC.