Dhaka: BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan has emphasized the need to materialize the vision of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman through film. He made these remarks while serving as the chief guest at a relief distribution program organized by the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Cholochitra Parishad at the gate of the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC). The event marked the 45th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, who is recognized as the proclaimer of Bangladesh’s independence.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Moyeen highlighted Zia’s contributions to the film industry, noting that he introduced the National Film Awards and government grants for films, established the Bangladesh Cinema and Television Institute and the Bangladesh Film Archive, and modernized Bangladesh Television (BTV) from black-and-white to color broadcasting. He further stated that significant developments in the country’s film industry occurred when the BNP was in power, and he expressed confidence that a future BNP government would once again prioritize the development of the film sector.
The program also featured BNP’s Cultural Affairs Secretary and Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Cholochitra Parishad chief adviser, actor Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Uzzal, who attended as a special guest. With Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Cholochitra Parishad president and film director Badiul Alam Khokon presiding, the event included speeches from its Secretary General and actor ABM Sohel Rashid, Organizing Secretary, film producer, and director Monjurul Islam Megh, and advisers Rafiqul Islam, Abu Hena Bablu, and Hannan Majumdar, among others.
Uzzal criticized the past 17 years of governance, claiming that BFDC had suffered under what he described as fascist rule. He argued that while the BNP had made significant contributions to the film industry’s development, these achievements were undermined by subsequent administrations, leading to the industry’s decline. He expressed hope that under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, efforts would be made to rejuvenate the film industry with the involvement of all stakeholders.
The event also commemorated the 45th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman by distributing saris and lungis to more than 500 individuals.