The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) will launch a week-long ‘Hridoye Dhaka-416’ Film Festival and Honour Ceremony on Saturday, 22 August, at Madhumita Cinema Hall in Motijheel, aimed at showcasing the capital’s history, heritage and cultural diversity to the younger generation. Details of the programme were announced at a press conference held at Madhumita Hall on Wednesday, chaired by DSCC Administrator, Bir Muktijoddha Md Abdus Salam.
A sub-committee formed under the administrator’s direction has selected 13 significant and heritage films from the early era of Bangladeshi cinema for screening over the course of the festival, while 58 distinguished personalities from the film industry, including veteran and contemporary actors, directors, writers, musicians, lyricists and cinematographers, will be honoured for their contributions.
The inaugural ceremony, set for 4pm on 22 August, will be attended by Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon, MP, as chief guest, alongside special guests Culture Affairs Deputy Minister Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam, MP, and Dhaka-7 MP Hamidur Rahman. Administrator Salam will chair the programme.
The festival’s screening schedule opens on 22 August with Abdul Jabbar Khan’s Mukh O Mukhosh at 6pm. The following days will feature two films each, at 3pm and 6pm: Khan Ataur Rahman’s Nawab Sirajuddaula and Bashir Hossain’s 13 No Feku Ostagar Lane on 23 August; Zahir Raihan’s Jibon Theke Neya and Gazi Mazharul Anwar’s Nantu Ghatak on 24 August; Azizur Rahman’s Ashikkhito and Zahirul Haque’s Rangbaz on 25 August; Subhash Dutta’s Sabuj Sathi and Ashok Ghosh’s Nacher Putul on 26 August; and Ehtesham’s Durdesh alongside Sheikh Niamat Ali’s Dahan on 27 August. The festival concludes on 28 August with Dewan Nazrul’s Dost Dushman at 3pm and Kazi Jahir’s Badhu Biday at 6pm.
The DSCC said the festival forms part of a broader set of citizen-focused initiatives organised under the slogan “Festival, Pride, Responsibility” to mark Dhaka’s 416th anniversary. Alongside the film screenings, the celebrations include a cycle rally, a marathon, a tree fair, stage theatre performances, a swimming event, a boat race and a city cleanliness campaign.
Noted actress Dilara Zaman, Bangladesh Film Artists Association President Chowdhury Mazhar Ali (Shiba Shanu), Madhumita Cinema Hall Manager Iftekhar Uddin Naushad and senior DSCC officials attended the press conference. The corporation appealed for the media’s wholehearted cooperation in making the event a success and in helping build a more inclusive, modern and culturally vibrant Dhaka.
