DHAKA, Nov 14, 2023 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called for making quality movies to keep pace with global standard after taking proper training as Bangladeshi cinemas can earn global recognition.

"The film artistes, directors and technicians should make more quality movies by taking advanced trainings as our cinemas can compete the global standard," she said.

The Prime Minister was addressing as the chief guest the distribution ceremony of the National Film Awards-2022 among 32 recipients in 27 categories in recognition of their contributions to the film industry at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) here this evening.

She said, "We want our cinemas will earn foreign recognition crossing our country's territory".

The Premier said they don't want that Bangladesh will make any indecent movies or to carry out piracies. "We can make quality movies using the talents we have," she said.

The Prime Minister asked all concerned to make cinemas for the children as entertainment.

PM's younger sister Sheikh Rehana was present at the function.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud chaired the function while Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting Hasanul Haq Inu spoke as special guest.

Senior Secretary of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry Md Humayun Kabir Khandaker gave the welcome address.

Sheikh Hasina described the film as one of the strongest mediums that can make the society aware alongside reforming it. "Films are very important for us as those can build the nation and inspire people to patriotism," she said.

The Prime Minister asked all concerned to give more attention to making quality movies using modern technology to meet the demand for entertainment of the countrymen as they have earned economic solvency.

"Give more attention to making films to increase the scope for the people of being entertained watching movies," she said.

In this connection, she said that her government has been able to reach electricity to every house and other civic facilities to the village levels.

The Premier said there were cinema halls up to village level once upon a time and many of them ended their operation gradually. The situation had been worsened more during the Covid-19 pandemic, she said.

Against the backdrop of the situation, she said her government had raised a fund of Taka 1,000 crore from which one can take loan at lower interest rate to build cinema halls. "We have taken required measures to build modern and improved cinema halls as we can move forward of our film industry," she said.

She, however, thanked the artistes to perform from the hearts in the Bangladesh-India jointly produced movie "Mujib: The Making of a Nation," which portrayed the life sketch of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Sheikh Hasina said after the 1975 carnage, the name of Father of the Nation was erased from the history alongside imposing ban on Joy Bangla Slogan and the historic 7th March of 1971 speech of Bangabandhu.

"One can know the real history of Bangladesh after seeing the "Mujib: The Making of a Nation". The movie was first released in Bangladesh and then in India," she said.

Sheikh Hasina, however, expressed her feelings of not being able to see movies going to cinema halls as she has to do a lot of works as the country's Prime Minister.

But, she said, she watches Bangladeshi movies whenever she gets time, adding: "I had watched two Bangladeshi movies in Bangladesh Biman while I was going to official visit to South Africa. I have already watched almost all movies stored in the Bangladesh Biman's archive".

Sheikh Hasina said her younger sister Sheikh Rehana suggests her for seeing movies on genres.

Briefly describing her government's efforts for the development of Bangladesh Film Industry, she assured all concerned of giving every sorts of assistance required to further development of the industry as her father, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, laid the foundation of the industry.

She said her government had announced the film as an industry as it can avail all the government facilities which are now enjoying by other industries.

The Prime Minister along with her younger sister Sheikh Rehana also watched a colorful cultural programmes performed by Bangladesh eminent artistes.

At the national film award giving ceremony, Rowshon Ara Rozina, popularly known as Rozina, expressed her feelings on winning the lifetime achievement award along with eminent artiste Kamrul Alam Khan Khasru (valiant Freedom Fighter).

While 'Kura Pokkhir Shunne Ura' and 'Poran' movies, produced by Muhammad Quayum and Md Tamzid Ul Alam respectively, jointly won the award in the best film category.

Syeda Rubaiyat Hossain has been given the best director award for his film 'Made in Bangladesh' (also known in Bengali as 'Shimu').

 Chanchal Chowdhury was named the best actor for his leading role in film Hawa (Wind), while the best actress in leading role award 2022 jointly went to Jaya Ahsan for film ' The Beauty Circus' and Rikita Nandini Shimu for film 'Shimu'.

The best actor in supporting role award went to Md Nasir Uddin Khan for film 'Poran' while Afsana Karim Mimi popularly known as Afsana Mimi won the best supporting actress award for film ' Paap Punyo (Vice and Virtue)'.

Subhashis Bhowmik was awarded best actor in a negative role for film ' Deshantor '.

Brishty Akhter and Muntaha Amelia won the best child artiste award jointly for films ' Rohingya' and 'Birotto' respectively.

Ripon Khan (Mahmudul Islam Khan) bagged the best music director's award for a song in the film 'Payer Chaap'.

 The best singer award jointly went to Bappa Mazumder for the song 'E Mon Vije Jay' of the film 'Operation Sundarbans' and Chandan Sinha for the song Thikana Bihin tomake of the film 'Hridita'.

Atiya Anisha got the best female singer award for the song 'Ei Shohorer Pothe Pothe' in film 'Payer Chaap'.

Documentary Bangabandhu and Dhaka University were awarded in the best documentary category while short film 'Ghore Fera' was awarded in the best short film category.

The other award winners are: Rabiul Islam Jibon (best lyricist), Shouquat Ali Imon (best composer), Faridur Reza Sagar (story), Khorshed Alam Khosru (story), Muhammad Quayum (screen writer), S A Huq Olik (dialogue), Sujon Mahmud (editor), Himadri Barua (best art direction), Farjina Akhter (special award under best child artiste category), Ripon Nath (sound designer), Tansina Shawon (costume) and Md Khokon Mollah (makeup).

Earlier, on October 31, the names of the recipients of the National Film Awards-2022 were announced in 27 categories.