The Making and Unmaking of Bangladeshi Cinema

On the evening of November 15, the crowd outside University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh Campus A buzzed with excited students. In a few hours, there would be a session with renowned film director, producer and screenwriter, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and the cast and crew of his latest movie, “Piprabidya”.

Masters in Communication, the graduate programme of ULAB's Media Studies and Journalism Department organised the public forum dubbing it as “Piprabidya: Making and Unmaking of Bangladeshi Cinema.” The session began when the director and his team reached the university. Farooki, along with actors Nur Imran Mithu, G.

Sumdany Don and Mou participated in the panel discussion. The panel was moderated by Md. Shazzad Hossain, Senior Lecturer, Media Studies and Journalism Department. The session started with a speech by the Head of Media Studies and Journalism Department, Professor Jude William Genilo.

Farooki and his cast took the panel to talk about their experiences in making “Piprabidya” and the present state of Bangladeshi films. Farooki discussed his means of conceptualising an idea, his next project, the process of scripting, funding and determining other factors when making a movie.

“Filmmaking is a kind of escaping process,” said Farooki.

Newcomer Nur Imran Mithu and G. Sumdany Don (who is also a motivational speaker and Chief Inspirational Officer at Don Sumdany Facilitation & Consultancy) discussed their initial experiences with acting. Mou, too, shared her experiences and talked in detail about her character.

Near the end of the session, the moderators collected questions from the crowd for Farooki. The crowd's questions ranged from complicated inquiries to simple requests. Farooki and his team were given flower bouquets at the end of the session as a token of appreciation. Dr. Sarkar Barbaq Quarmal, Coordinator of the Graduate Programme, anchored the session and delivered the vote of thanks.

Maasranga Television and SHOUT were the communication partners of the event.