Actors worried about current situation, future of artistes

Small screen actors have expressed their concerns about the current situation and future of the artistes.

Their also concerns over future of the country’s entertainment industry, warning that declining local productions on television, growing presence of dubbed foreign TV serials and a lack of policy support are shrinking employment opportunities for performers and other creative professionals.

The concerns were raised at the annual general meeting of Actors’ Equity Bangladesh held at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital recently.

Actors claimed that although the number of TV channels in the country has increased, the importance of the industry has decreased. Due to the abundance of foreign TV serials, the number of local programmes is decreasing, and the work space of the artistes is shrinking. The artistes are being forced to change their professions.

Noted actor Shahiduzzaman Selim criticised the excessive broadcasting of Bengali dubbed foreign TV serials. He believes that TV channels are regularly broadcasting foreign serials due to audience demand.

This has affected artistes and producers. Many are spending time without work. Many are forced to decide to change their profession.

Shahiduzzaman Selim said, “A terrible situation is being created due to the foreign serials dubbed in Bengali being broadcast on the country’s TV channels. Television channels are buying serials at low cost and dubbing them, which is narrowing the scope of work for artistes.

Earlier, there was a policy that these serials should not be broadcast during peak hours. If that policy can be strictly followed, then the scope of work for artistes and producers will be created.”

“Many artistes and producers are living in poverty. The industry needs government patronage. The government is certainly committed to providing this patronage. They just need to be told what tasks to do,” he added.

Expressing concern about the future of artistes due to decrease in work, actor Tauquir Ahmed said, “The number of TV channels in the country is more than necessary. But most of the channels are now dependent on commercials and news. The importance of drama, movie and art has decreased.

As a result, even though the number of channels has increased, the work opportunities for film, TV and stage artistes are continuously shrinking. Far from recognition of the profession, we have no job prospects. This is a matter of great concern. We should discuss this with the policy makers of the state. The right steps should be taken now.”

Azad Abul Kalam, President of Actors’ Equity Bangladesh, believes that artistes should stand by each other. He said, “As actors, we do not have any state recognition. This is both painful and contemptuous of the state. We should question this and start a movement.

It has become difficult to live a life with acting as a profession. Many are living a miserable, sometimes inhuman life. Professional artistes should also come forward. My request to them is, do not just look at yourself, but stand by your colleagues. Not just financial cooperation, but cooperation in the workplace. Think about whether you can connect with the desire and right of artistes to live with dignity.”

Veteran actors Mamunur Rashid, Dilara Zaman, Ferdousi Majumdar, etc also participated in the discussion.

The concerned people feel that necessary steps need to be taken now to protect the country’s art practice and artistes.

To build a beautiful future and a prosperous nation, various initiatives and patronage are needed at the state, social, party and personal levels for fair art and culture practice.