Film banned as villain wears Mujib coat

Bangladesh Film Censor Board has banned a film in which the main villain is shown wearing a jacket associated with the ruling Awami League, saying it could trigger violence.

The film Ridoy Bhanga Dhew (Heart Breaking Wave), which was shot in Thailand, was refused a screening permit as it "mocks" ruling party officials, Surat Kumar Sarker, vice-chairman of the censor board, told AFP Monday.

The main villain in the film is shown wearing a "Mujib coat"--a distinctive, black sleeveless jacket named after Bangladesh's founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who wore it when addressing political rallies.

"We have rejected the film because it clearly violates the country's film censor rules. It goes against a political philosophy of the country," Surat said.

"There is no need for the character to wear this dress. It could spark violence," said Akanda Sanawar Morshed, a filmmaker and member of the censor board.

Morshed also noted that a hero in the film was shown wearing a safari suit of the style favoured by members of the opposition BNP.

The film's director Gazi Mazharul Anwar told AFP that he had never set out to mock anyone.

"Politics has nothing to do with the film," Mazharul said, adding that he would appeal against the ban.

In 2007, Bangladesh's then army-backed government banned a movie after a character--playing the role of a criminal--was shown in military fatigues.

Source : The Daily Star 

No comments:

Post a Comment