DHAKA, Nov 14, 2023 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said the country has been changed in the last 15 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The minister also urged the persons involved with the film industry to highlight the present scenario of changed Bangladesh in their films.

He made the urge while presiding over the National Film Award-2022 distribution ceremony at Bangabandhu International Convention Center in city's Agargaon area.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed the function as the chief guest and handed over the awards among the winners of different categories of films which were released in 2022.

Dr Hasan said the eyes of vulture have fallen on the country. A cultural revolution is needed to protect the country from the arsonists, he said, adding films can advance the revolution.

He said the country's film industry has turned around under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Bangabandhu's biopic 'Mujib-The Making of a Nation' has been released at 158 cinema halls in country while it has been released in 500 cinema halls in India, he said.

Besides, he said, different movies of Bangladesh were released at 22 countries of the world. The films of Bangladesh will take place in global screen, he hoped.

He said Bangabandhu, realising the impact of films on society, had tabled a bill in the provincial assembly for establishment of Film Development Corporation (FDC) in 1957 and in continuation to that, the FDC was founded. The films had played a pivotal role in the independence movement, the great Liberation War and in building the nation after independence, he added.

Dr Hasan said Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has formed the Film Artiste Welfare Trust and formed a loan fund of Taka 1,000 crore to build and renovation of Cineplex and cinema halls.

Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting Hasanul Haque Inu addressed the function as special guest while Senior Secretary of the ministry Md Humayun Kabir Khandaker gave the welcome speech.