ZCZC
BSS-45
HASAN-BMPEA-HALLS
BMPEA withdraws cinema hall shutdown programme
DHAKA, April 2, 2019 (BSS) – Bangladesh Motion Picture Exhibitors’ Association (BMPEA) has withdrawn its programme to shutdown cinema halls from April 12 after fruitful discussion with Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud.
BMPEA President Iftekhar Uddin Naushad along with its Advisor Sudipto Kumar Das today announced their decision to journalists saying “after holding a fruitful meeting with the information minister at the secretariat, we have withdrawn the decision of shutting down cinema halls in the country.”
By importing a certain number of Hindi movies, people will go to the cinema halls on their own, Sudipto said, adding that the country’s film industry will also develop, simultaneously.
“We hope that the government will save the country’s film industry by making a time-befitting decision to this end” he added.
Before the meeting, the information minister said, “If the cinema hall is closed, then where will the movies be screened?” That’s why, it is important to sustain our cinema halls, he added.
Mahmud said the movie hall owners have demanded rebate on the commercial and ‘peak hour’ rate of electricity. The ministry is already in touch with the Power Division in this regard, he said, adding that the issue will be discussed again.
The information minister also said the delay that happens due to the provision of importing an Indian film against the export of an indigenous film would be removed soon.
Rational decision will be taken for the demand for importing certain number of sub-continental films after discussions with all concerned, Hasan said.
Information Secretary Abdul Malek, Director General of Bangladesh Television SM Haroon-or-Rashid, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Information Mohammad Azharul Haque, Joint Secretary Mohammad Nazrul Islam, Vice Chairman of Bangladesh Film Censor Board Md Nizamul Kabir, BMPEA Vice-President Md Amir Hamza and Joint Secretary Sharfuddin Samrat were also present on the occasion.
BSS/PR/BKD/SRH/MMA/2152hrs