Dhaka: The beginning of a New Year always forces us to look back for a close review of the previous year. That is happening in every sector all around the world. However, a year-end movie business review is very rare in Bangladesh. Undoubtedly an annual movie business review indicates for coming year enabling our film industry to grow in the long run. The entertainment trade magazine Variety (2014) reported 2014 was not good for movie business—overall Hollywood box-office dipped by more than 5% in 2014 compared to 2013. However, the Bangladeshi film industry got total 45 theatrical releases in 2013 with an increase to 65 released in 2014. Although this Information signals a positive sign for our film industry, in reality maximum film producer could not make profit from their investment. My market research shows audience dissatisfaction on Bangladeshi movie is main reason that caused such loss in Bangladeshi movie business.
In 2014, on an average total 150 crore taka (18.75 million US dollar; let, 1 US dollar =80 taka) was invested in film industry of Bangladesh. Beginning of 2014 was unsuitable for movie business condition in the country due to political unrest but it turned out to be better from March. People began to go to cinema hall that generates maximum revenue for Bangladeshi film producers. According to Bangladesh Film Producer and Distribution Associations the most profitable films in 2014 were as follows (Note- let 1 US Dollar = 80 Taka):
1. Movie- Agnee; Directed by Iftakar Chowdhury. Budget: 2.5 crore taka with Promotion ($312,500). Income: 5 crore 60 Lakhs taka ($700,000). Produced by: Shish Monwar. Lead role: Mahiya Mahi, Arefin Shuvo. Distributed by: Jazz Multimedia. Release: February 14, 2014.
2. Movie- Hero the Superstar; this was widest release (120 Screens) for any Bangladeshi Film in 2014. Directed by Bodiul Alom Khokon. Budget: 3.5 crore ($437,500). Income: 4 crore 80 lakhs taka ($600,000). Produced by: Shakib Khan. Lead Role: Shakib Khan and Apu Biswas and Bobby. Distributed by: SK films. Release: July 29, 2014.
3. Movie- Ami Sudhu Cheyechi Tomay; It is a co-production film. Directed by: Ashok Pati and Anonno Mamun. Budget: 3.8 crore taka ($475000). Income Bangladesh and India): 4.5 crore taka( $562,500). Produced by: Ashok Dhanuka. Lead role: Ankhus. Subhasree and Vikram. Release: May 26, 2014.
4. Movie- Kistimaat; Directed by Ashiqur Rahman. Budget: 2 crore taka ($250,000), Income: 3 crore 92 Lakhs ($490,000). Produced by: Kamal Hasan and Md. Riyad Hossain. Lead role: Shuvo, Achol, Misha. Distributed by: Tiger Media Limited and The Abhi Kathachitra. Release: October 6, 2014.
5. Movie- Hitman; Directed by Wazed Ali Sumon. Budget: 2 crore taka ($250,000). Income: 3.69 crore taka ($461250). Produced by: Sojib Films. Lead role: Shakib & Apu. Distributed by: Sojib Films. Release: October 6, 2014.
6. Movie- The Most Welcome 2; the most expensive film in the history of Bangladeshi film in 2014. Directed by Ananta Jalil. Budget: 8 Crores Taka ($1 million). Income (Excluding Japan Release): 3.6 Crores Taka ($450,000). Produced & Distributed by: Monsoon Films. Lead Role: Ananta and Barsha. Release: July 29, 2014.
7. Movie- Rajotto; Directed by Iftakar Chowdhury. Budget: 2.5 crore taka ($312,500). Income: 3.2 crore taka ($400,000). Produced and distributed by: Fatman Films. Lead role: Shakib and Bobby. Release: March 7, 2014.
8. Movie – Tarkaata; Directed by Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Raz. Budget: 2 crore taka ($250,000). Income: 2.8 crore taka ($350,000). Produced by: Shukla Banik. Distributed by: Ping-Pong Entertainment. Lead Role: Shuvo, Mim and Moushumi. Release: June 6, 2014.
9. Movie- Honeymoon; Directed by: Shafi Uddin, Budget: 80 Lakhs taka ($100,000). Income: 2.8 crore taka ($350,000). Lead role: Bappy and Mahi. Release: July 29, 2014.
10. Movie- Onek Sadher Moyna; Directed by Jakir Hossain Raju. Budget: 65 lakhs taka (81,250 US dollar). Income: 2 crore 30 Lakhs (287,500 US dollar) Produced by: Abdul Aziz. Lead role: Mahiya Mahi and Bappy. Distributed by: Jazz Multimedia. Release: November 7, 2014.
We hope that Bangladesh film industry will grow more in 2015. Already some films made huge buzz for the coming year. Such as: Five Comrades by the hall of fames film scholar and director Jean-Nesar Osman; Zero degree by Animesh Aich; Chuye Dile Mon by Shihab Shaheen; Gangsters Returns by Ashiquar Rahman; Runout by Tanmay Tansen; Sweetheart by Wajed Ali; Blackmail by Anonno Mamun. All of these films will be released by first quarter of 2015. However, one of acclaimed films– Ekattorer Ma Jononi by great film director Shah Alom Kiron will be re-released on March 2015. The Story of Ekattorer Ma Jononi has been taken from the novel “Jnononi Sahosini 1971” by famous writer Anisul Haque.
Sustainable improvement for Bangladeshi film Industry is not possible without film marketing and market research. Some people are taking initiative to do the research in 2015. “Mirza Abdul Kader Sarder Memorial Lecture” is one of their initiatives to revive Bangladeshi film Industry for 2015. So we can bid adieu to 2014 and wish for best to Bangladeshi film industry in 2015.
PK
Sheikh Iraj
From posters to its uncanny dialogues on its trailers, PK was all over the watchful eye of media until its actual release. It promised something different and out of this world, and it delivered exactly that. Rajkumar Hirani hardly needs an introduction as he is considered one of the most pioneer filmmakers who not only makes groundbreaking cinema but has changed people views regarding Hindi movies. The movie is directed by Rajkumar Hirani and stars Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma, Sushant Singh Rajput, Boman Irani, Saurabh Shukla and Sanjay Dutt.
The plot of the film is no run-of-the-mill story. It features extraterrestrials elements. Rajkumar Hirani took the concept a step further, making it as comprehensible as one can for the moviegoers. There is laughter in every five minute and full of extremely humorous dialogues. While doing the best thing he does, that is making people laugh he raised some serious questions. The movie touches sensitive issues like religion and the India-Pakistan relationship. It delicately deals with the concept that how some people make profit by extorting people’s fear and belief. It is a 153 minute movie and from the very first dialogue it grabs one’s attention and keep it till the after credit. Within just two weeks of its release it earned over US$20 million.
Aamir Khan also known as a perfectionist in Indian film fraternity appears in a whole new avatar. From executions of his dialogues to his facial and physical expressions, he was simply immaculate. For Anushka Sharma this was truly a golden opportunity to prove her acting skills. She was quite refreshing in her role. Other actors like Boman Irani, Saurabh Shukla, Sanjay Dutt and Sushant Singh Rajput added extra sheds of colour and their contribution was as much important as the contribution of the lead actors. Their collective performance made it a delightful movie. It is a must watch and certainly worth spending your money.
Md. Arifur Rahman Khan