Published : 30 Sep 2026, 02:05 PM
Updated : 30 Sep 2026, 02:05 PM
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has sparked controversy after pulling filmmaker Tanvir Mokammel's acclaimed films “Lalsalu” and “Chitra Nodir Pare” from its in-flight entertainment lineup.
While Mokammel raised objections over the move, Biman authorities said on Wednesday it was not any kind of ban, but part of a routine "technical and licensing" process to update its in-flight entertainment (IFE) content.
A recent post on Mokammel's official Facebook page said Biman had shown his films on its flights for years, but had recently stopped screening “Lalsalu” and “Chitra Nodir Pare” for reasons unknown.
“Lalsalu”, based on Syed Waliullah's celebrated novel, won eight National Film Awards, while “Chitra Nodir Pare”, set against the backdrop of the Partition, won seven.
Both films have been widely praised by critics and audiences at home and abroad.
Asked about the matter, Biman Bangladesh Airlines' General Manager (Public Relations) Mohiuddin Ahmed told bdnews24.com: "I asked the relevant department for an explanation, and they gave me one.
"I learned from that section that Mokammel's film ‘Lalon’ is being shown on our flights. All content has to be purchased for screening, doesn't it? Nothing is free in this world."
In a written statement, the airlines described the move as part of the routine rotation and update of its in-flight entertainment content.
It said the films, TV shows and audio playlists shown during flights are typically changed on a quarterly basis, driven mainly by licensing agreements, storage limits on the aircraft's digital systems, and the need to keep meeting the demands of regular passengers.
Biman said it does not directly own these films, and instead purchases temporary screening rights or licences from media brokers through content service providers (CSPs).
Once a licence expires, the airline is legally required to remove the relevant content from its servers.
The airline also said limited physical server storage onboard aircraft means older films must be deleted to make room for new content, adding that refreshing the lineup is also essential to keep offering a new entertainment experience for both regular and business-class passengers.
The national flag carrier said files are processed, edited and transcoded for its specific hardware through CSPs before being loaded onto aircraft on the ground.
Given the technical complexity of the process, content is changed at regular intervals according to a set cycle or schedule.
