The minister came up with the remark during a meeting with Bangladesh Film Artistes Association at the Secretariat.
Members of the new committee led by the newly elected president of Bangladesh Film Artistes Association, actor Misha Saudagar, were present at the meeting.
“This year, the film industry gained momentum compared to last year and the government has taken several initiatives for its protection. A project of constructing a modern building for the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) at a cost of Tk 322 crore has been approved,” the minister said.
Hoping that the new building will be completed in the next three to four years with world-class facilities, Hasan Mahmud stated that the government aims to establish Bangladeshi films in the world market transcending the golden era of cinema in the country.
“A plan to provide long-term loans at minimal interest rate for constructing and modernizing cinema halls has been undertaken. More cineplexes will be seen in the next one or two years including four new cineplexes in Chattogram,” the minister said.
Mentioning that the government will build information centers in districts which can be leased out to be used as cinema halls, Hasan Mahmud was optimistic about the golden era of cinema coming back once the initiatives are implemented.
At the meeting, the information minister announced that the Bangabandhu Film City is being constructed at Gazipur’s Kaliakoir over 100 acres of land. Stating that the government grant for films has been increased, the minister insisted films made with the grant will be released at cinema halls unlike before.
Calling for a larger allocation of funds for the development of BFDC, Misha Saudagar said they want to work together to take Bangladeshi cinema forward.