17 film organisations called for strikes

Seventeen film organisations on Sunday called for strikes demanding the removal of the managing director (MD) Nuzhat Yasmin of Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) as they were not allowed to enter it during the much-hyped 17th Bangladesh Film Artistes Association election.

The members of the 17 organisations demonstrated in front of the BFDC gate from 9am on Sunday.

During the protest, the agitated members of these organisations burned an effigy of BFDC MD Nuzhat Yasmin.

Filmmaker Delwar Jahan Jhantu said, "We do not want to work with the current MD. She can't stay even if the government wants. We will be lying on the street if needed."

Referring to the election of the Film Artistes Association, the filmmaker further said, "In this election, the MD has worked in support of a specific panel. This is why she didn't want us inside the BFDC premises which is insulting to everyone. So you can't be a MD in FDC. And if she is here, we will not work, reports UNB.

Besides, the members placed two more issues. The Chief Commissioner of this year's election, Pirzada Shahidul Harun, was declared unwanted and the election of the artist association will not be held in the FDC in future.

Veteran actor Ilias Kanchan was elected as the president of the Bangladesh Film Artistes' Association in the election on Friday. Actor Zayed Khan, on the other hand, was re-elected as the general secretary.