The National Film Awards 2023 have sparked controversy after two deceased figures were named recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award, despite award guidelines stating that only living individuals are eligible for the honour.
The notification inviting applications for the 2023 National Film Awards was published in mid-2024. However, the names of the awardees were announced only on Thursday, nearly two years later, following delays attributed to several factors, including the reconstitution of the jury board after the fall of the Awami League government.
According to the notification signed by Mahbuba Farzana, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, filmmaker Tareq Masud and cinematographer and director Abdul Latif Bachchu have been selected to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for 2023. Both, however, are deceased. Tareq Masud died in a road accident on August 13, 2011, while Abdul Latif Bachchu passed away on January 4.
This decision appears to contradict clause two of the original award circular, which explicitly stated that only living individuals could be considered for the Lifetime Achievement Award and that applications would not be accepted for deceased persons in this category.
Responding to the issue, Barkat Hossain Palash, a member of the 2023 National Film Awards jury board, told TIMES of Bangladesh that the jury’s role was limited to making recommendations.
“We can only propose names as members of the jury board. We do not make the final decision. The names of these two individuals were not included in the proposal we submitted for the lifetime achievement award,” he said.
Palash added that the matter has since been brought to the attention of the ministry. “They have taken steps to address the issue. Hopefully, it will be resolved within one or two days,” he said.
Another jury board member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the panel was unaware of the specific clause in the public notice calling for applications. “There was no such provision in the rules that were given to us. Perhaps the problem originated there,” the member said.
Meanwhile, other awards announced for 2023 include Best Film for ‘Saatao’, directed by Khandaker Suman, who will also receive the Best Director Award. Mariam has been named Best Short Film, while ‘Leelaboti Nag: The Rebel’ has won Best Documentary Film.
Afran Nisho will receive the Best Actor Award for ‘Surongo’, while Aynun Putul has been named Best Actress for Saatao. Monir Ahmed (Shakil) has won Best Supporting Actor for Surongo and Nazia Haque Orsha has received Best Supporting Actress for ‘Ora 7 Jon’.
Ashish Khandaker will be honoured with the Best Actor/Actress in a Villainous Role award for ‘Adventure of Sundarban’, while Shahiduzzaman Selim has won the Best Actor/Actress in a Comic Role award for Surongo.
