Sheikh Hasina assures film industry of support for development

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has assured the film industry of all kind of assistance to take it forward like other sectors.

Shabana had received the national award as best actress several times in the past. She has now received a lifetime achievement award for her contribution to the Bangla film industry on Monday. Photo: Yeasin Kabir Joy

She urged everyone related to the industry to maintain international standard while making films at a ceremony arranged to hand over the National Film Award 2015 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre on Monday.

The prime minister handed the award to 31 artists and film crew in 25 categories.

"Bangladesh is heading forward in all the sectors. We should not be behind in this sector and build a film industry with international standard.

"I promise that I will give you all sorts of assistance you need for this," Sheikh Hasina said.

She suggested making films that hold Bangladeshi tradition, history, and culture.

"We will take special care of this industry so that it can achieve an international reputation," she said.

The prime minister emphasised honing the skills to use new technologies to compete in the international arena.

Actress Afroza Sultana Ratna, known with her screen name Shabana, and singer Ferdausi Rahman got lifetime achievement awards.

Shabana took the award from the prime minister, but Ferdausi could not attend the programme for illness. Ferdausi's daughter-in-law received the award on her behalf. 

"They should not be lost. That's why we want to remember their contribution by giving them awards," Sheikh Hasina said about Shabana and Ferdausi.

Bangla film hero Shakib Khan receives the best actor award. Photo: Yeasin Kabir Joy

Shakib Khan and Mahfuz Ahmed have shared the best actor award, and Joya Ahsan has taken the honours for the best actress.

Reazul Mawla Rezu's 'Bapjaner Bioscope' and Morshedul Islam's 'Anil Bagchir Ekdin' have been chosen as best films. Reazul and Morshedul are also sharing the award for best director.

The prime minister stressed the need for skilful scriptwriters and urged the litterateurs to come forward and write film scripts.

"The skilful writing of the script is the most important for a film. It should touch the viewers' heart, so the relish remains even after returning home from the cinema hall," she said.

Masum Reza got the best story and scriptwriter award for 'Bapjaner Bioscope'. He is sharing the best scriptwriter award with Reazul Rezu for the same film. 

Late Humayun Ahmed was selected for the best dialogue-writer award for 'Anil Bagchir Ekdin'.

His widow actress Meher Afroz Shaon and their two sons took the award from Hasina.

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu presided over the programme. President of the parliamentary standing committee on Information Ministry, KM Rahmatullah, and Information Secretary Martuza Ahmed were also present.

After receiving the award from Hasina, actress Shabana said, "This award is for whom I am Shabana today."

This is her 10th national award.

With tears of happiness, she thanked the prime minister for the award and the steps she took for film industry's development.

The other awards

The best documentary award has gone to the 'Ekttorer Ganahotya O Bodhyobhumi' by the Department of Films and Publications.

Gazi Rakayet was awarded best supporting actor for 'Anil Bagchir Ekdin' while best-supporting actress award went to Toma Mirza for 'Nodijon'.

Iresh Zaker won the award for best actor in a negative role for 'Chuey Dile Mon'. Zara Zarib got the best child actor award for 'Prarthona', which fetched Promia Rahman a special award in the same category.

Swani Zubayeer got the best music director award for 'Anil Bagchir Ekdin'.

Joya Ahsan smiles as she is awarded as the best actress by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Photo: Yeasin Kabir Joy

Subir Nandi and SI Tutul shared the best male playback singer award for 'Tomare Chharite Bondhu' of 'Mohua Sundori' and 'Uthal Pathal Joar' of 'Bapjaner Bioscope' respectively.

The song 'Uthal Pathal Joar' also fetched Amirul Islam the best lyricist award and SI Tutul the best composer award.

Best female playback singer was Priyanka Gope. She got the award for 'Amar Sukh Seto' of 'Anil Bagchir Ekdin'.

Mehedi Rony bagged the best editor award for 'Bapjaner Bioscope'.

Best art director award goes to Samurai Maruf for 'Zero Degree'; best cinematographer award to Mahfuzur Rahman Khan for 'Padma Patar Jol'; best sound-taking award to Ratan Kumar Paul for 'Zero Degree'; best costume to Muskan Sumaika for 'Padma Patar Jol' and best makeup to 'Shafik' for 'Jalaler Golpo'.