Release of Bhaijaan Elo Re, Sultan uncertain

Two imported films, ‘Bhaijaan Elo Re’ and ‘Sultan’, are hanging in limbo as the High Court issued a stay order on the release of joint production and imported films during festivals on 10 May.

The producer of ‘Bhaijaan Elo Re’, Ashok Dhanuka, has said, “I hope both the films will be released on Eid, in keeping with the relevant policies of Bangladesh”. 

The HC order followed of a writ petition filed by a producer.

Selina Begum of Nipa Enterprise filed the petition with the High Court on 9 May, seeking stay on imported film releases during festivals such as Eid, Durga Puja and Pahela Baishakh.

“I have filed the petition for the sake of local movies films on behalf of Bangladesh Chalachitra Paribar, an association comprising 18 organisations of the film industry,” she said.

A HC bench comprising two judges, Salma Masud Chowdhury and AKM Zahirul Haque, also made the secretary of information ministry, vice chairman of Bangladesh censor board and deputy secretary of information ministry (Films) respondents to the petition seeking why the films would not be illegal.

When asked if they would appeal challenging the HC order with the Appellate division, Ashok Dhanuka said, “I am not going to do anything like that. Let’s see what happens.”

‘Bhaijaan Elo Re’ and ‘Sultan’, however, will be released on 15 June in Kolkata, according to the producer and importer of the films. Later, the films will be imported in Bangladesh and screened in more than 100 theatres.

*This report, originally published in Prothom Alo print edition, has been rewritten in English by Farjana Liakat.