Voting in the much-hyped 17th Bangladesh Film Artistes Association election was held on Friday at Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) premises.  Starting at 9 am the voting in the biennale election were conducted under the strict security of police and Rab, along with added safety protocols due to the ongoing surge of COVID-19. A total of 428 voters cast their votes to elect their desired candidates from the two competing panels of Ilias Kanchan-Nipun and Misha Sawdagor-Zayed Khan, while actors Don and Harbola participated as independent candidates. 184 artists were excluded from voting in this year’s election. Read: ‘Koozhangal’ wins top award at 20th Dhaka Int’l Film Festival

Dhallywood superstar actor Shakib Khan shared his viewpoints on social media regarding the much-talked-about issue of actress Pori Moni on Saturday, questioning the current governing body of the Bangladesh Film Actors’ Association (Bangladesh Cholochitro Shilpi Samity)’s position against the actress. The association suspended the membership of Pori Moni last Saturday, two days after her arrest in a drugs case at a press briefing held at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC). Expressing his frustration over the decision, Shakib Khan wrote from his official Facebook page: “I have noticed that after the arrest of Pori Moni only on the basis of allegations, the Film Actors' Association has hastily held a press conference and suspended her membership, without extending any hand of cooperation to her at this crucial moment.” Read: Superstar Shakib Khan to seek AL nomination “This behaviour of the association is really very mysterious. Many conscientious senior-junior artists and cultural activists have regrets about the issue. This is inhumane treatment of the organization against her. The question remains, in whose interest is the current Film Artists Association?” Shakib Khan wrote on the post. Mentioning that the association acted differently in the past and stood beside other convicted artists, he wrote, “Several senior artists have been arrested on even more heinous charges in the past, however, the then association did not suspend the membership of the accused - rather it stood beside the artist, even protested down the street. This exceptional behaviour of the current association is surely controversial.” Read Banks asked to provide account details of Pori Moni, Helena, 6 others “Once again, it is clear that this association separated the artists instead of uniting them. It has ruined the work environment in the industry by creating this kind of division. Maybe that's why our cinema industry is on the verge of destruction today,” Shakib Khan expressed his concerns. He also shared his experience of knowing Pori Moni, saying, “As far as I know as a colleague, Pori Moni lost her parents and grew up without having them around her. There is a significant difference in the struggle, between her and the others of her age with families. Maybe due to lack of proper guideline and support, she could not make the right decisions.” On August 10, her centenarian grandfather rushed to the court premises to see his granddaughter, even the ongoing horrific pandemic situation could not stop him. Unfortunately, what a cruel time it is! He could not meet his granddaughter. I heard him saying in the court premises that Pori Moni has not done anything for herself in her life. She always donated for people in need - and now the situation has made her a victim.” Read Pori Moni put on 2-day fresh remand Refusing to comment on the technicalities of the arrest, Shakib Khan added, “Pori Moni's case is still pending and I am not saying anything about that. I am not going to analyze the crime of the case in which she has been arrested. The country's customary law court is respected. Surely there will be a fair trial at the end of an impartial investigation, but the way she is being harassed on social media before the trial is really sad.” The actor said that those who misled Pori Moni and victimized her should also be brought under judgement. "Pori Moni has been in more than 30 movies and has several more in her hands. On the contrary, there are some artists who are leading luxurious lives misusing the label of an "artiste" year after year without working in a single movie. I believe we should find out about their source of income as well. “As a co-artist, I hope that the law will maintain its individuality in the case of Pori Moni and she will learn from her mistakes. I sincerely hope this will help her make the right decision in her future life,“Shakib Khan concluded the statement on Pori Moni situation with high hopes. Read Pori Moni ‘affair’: Now police officer Sakline faces the music

Renowned filmmakers Sohanur Rahman Sohan and Chhatku Ahmed have been elected as the new president and vice-president of the Bangladesh Film Directors Association, for the term 2021-2022. Sohan received a total of 129 votes, defeating his nearest opponent Kazi Hayat who got 80 votes. The other candidate Shah Alam Kiran got 55 votes. Chhatku Ahmed has been elected as the vice-president with 166 votes, while the newly elected deputy secretary general Kabirul Islam Rana got 162 votes. Shaheen Sumon got elected as the secretary general from the panel of Sohan by getting 185 votes, defeating his opponents SA Haque Alik and Safi Uddin Safi who got 64 and 35 votes respectively. The 2021-2022 election took place at Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) on Friday. This time the election was participated by 361 voters, however, 272 of them finally voted. A total of 43 directors competed for 19 posts in the election. The other elected members include Rokibul Islam Rokib as the organizational secretary, Mohammad Salahuddin as the secretary of finance, Noman Robin as the international and technological secretary, Shahin Kabir Tutul as the cultural and sports secretary and Anowar Siraji as the publicity, publications and offices secretary. The newly elected 2021-2022 panel also anoounced ten other members including Zakir Hossain Raju, Palli Malek, Abdur Rahim Babu, Nur Mohamamd Moni, Masuma Tani, Mostafizur Rahman Babu, Salim Azam, Habibul Islam Habib, Saidur Rahman Said, and Shahadat Hossain Liton as the executive secretaries.

Mostofa Sarwar Farooki's last international film "Doob" (No Bed of Roses) has become the most viewed content from Bangladesh on popular streaming platform Netflix.

Fishing in Kaptai Lake resumed on Tuesday at the end of a three-month ban imposed by the local administration to boost fish production.

About 30 tonnes of carp  variety of fish fry will be released in different parts of Kaptai Lake during this year’s three-month fishing ban.   Officials of Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) Rangamati office came up with the information at fish fry release inauguration programme in the lake on Sunday.   Deputy Commissioner (DC) AKM Mamunur Rashid inaugurated the programme from BFDC’s Fishery Ghat in the district.   Among others, BFDC Manager Commander Mohammad Touhidul Islam, sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Fatematuzzohra Upoma and other senior officials were present at the programme.   VGF rice distribution programme was also inaugurated among 22,000 fishermen who are dependent on Kaptai Lake.   The nets seized during illegal fishing in Kaptai Lake were also burnt down.   BFDC issued a three-month ban on fishing in the Kaptai Lake which came into effect from May 1 to ensure boosting fish population.   The DC said Kaptai Lake’s fish is a valuable resource for the country. Fish production in Kaptai Lake should be increased for the development of the national economy.   “This requires the concerted efforts of all. All must work together to increase fish production. To ensure the natural reproduction of fish, everyone must strictly follow the instructions to stop fishing this season. Then we will be able to reach the target of fish production,” he added.

Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) has published a list of primarily selected cast for the much-talked-about biopic on the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

An employee of Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) died reportedly due to torture inflicted by police under custody in the capital early Sunday.