FDC wakes up!

FDC was buzzing with activity. Workers were hammering away at a set. Directors were calling out “Five, four, three, two, one, zero, action!!” Cars were driving up, producers, directors, technicians were rushing about the place. This mayhem was happening on Monday afternoon at the the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC), better known as FDC.

“FDC has a new lease of life!” was the common word making the rounds . It was 2:30 in the afternoon and the national award-winning make-up artist Manik had entered Floor 3. He was working on an ad film.

Popular actor Shakib Khan was on Floor 2, rugged in a beard, open shirt, torn pants and a scarf round his neck. Producer Mohammad Iqbal stood next to him, looking at the monitor. Make-up artist Sabuj was there too. Shakib Khan explained, “We are shooting for the movie, ‘Bir’.” The film’s director was Kazi Hayat.

A few yards away from the ‘Bir’ set, in front of the administrative building, stood actors Nirob and Taskin. Nirob was shoving handcuffed Taskin into a car. The car started and director Shaikat Nasir called out ‘Cut!’ This was a scene from the movie ‘Casino’, he said.

Nirob said, “The film is being made with a lot of care. Shakib Khan is working in a movie at a nearby set. Bubly is the actress in both of the movies, but coincidentally both the movies are being shot without the actress today!”

A set was nearing completion on Floor 9. Director Shameem Ahmed Rony’s ‘Bikkhob’ was to be shot here.

FDC seems to have finally reawakened.

* This piece has been rewritten in English by Ayesha Kabir