A legal notice seeking restrictions on romantic dramas and films has sparked a sharp backlash, with actors and filmmakers turning social media into a forum for satire and criticism.
Issued on Thursday, 27 August by Supreme Court lawyer Md Mahmudul Hasan Mamun, the notice called for an end to the production and broadcast of romance-based content, arguing that excessive romance could contribute to moral decline among young people and pull students away from studies and careers.
Actress Sabnam Faria led the reactions. “Luckily, I’m not at the age to do romantic dramas! I have nothing to worry about,” she wrote sarcastically.
She joked that dramas could focus on extramarital affairs or One Husband, Four Wives, where everyone travels, eats and makes TikToks together. She also suggested stories about theft, robbery, extortion and snatching.
Faria imagined only men acting while women stayed home to buy seafood, cook and manage households. Without gas, cooking would stop; without electricity, television would go too. People could use phones to post “nonsense statuses” until their batteries died. Addressing “Lal Appi”, she asked, “How does the new freedom feel?” She also joked about travelling by autorickshaw and said an accident would leave only relatives with something to worry about.
Director Kaushik Sankar Das recalled his romantic dramas, saying viewers enjoyed them while some called them “cheap”. “Whatever the case, luckily no one sent us a legal notice back then,” he wrote.
Actor Rawnak Hasan replied, “You can make dramas about rape, brother. No problem.” He also posted, “Dramas and films will continue. But…”
Bijori Barkatullah wrote, “Very good. Now there will only be action — fighting, killing and bloodshed will be shown…”
Adnan Faruque wrote, “One madman sent this notice to become popular, and we are all busy discussing it to make that madman even more popular.”
The reactions follow a joint protest by organisations representing producers, directors, actors and technicians, who warned that a blanket ban could threaten creative freedom, employment and thousands connected to television. They said specific complaints can be addressed through existing laws and regulations, while stressing the need for responsible, quality content.
The joint statement was signed by representatives of Directors Guild Bangladesh, Actors Equity Bangladesh, Television Nattyakar Sangha, Cameraman Association of Bangladesh, Audio-Visual Technical Owners Association, Television Assistant Directors Organisation of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Makeup Artist Association.
The notice alleges excessive romantic content and normalisation of extramarital relationships, cites Articles 21(1), 23 and 39, and calls for content on science, education, history, the Liberation War and defence. It gives authorities 10 days before a public-interest writ is filed in the High Court Division.
The controversy now raises a bigger question: where should the line be drawn between responsible content and creative freedom?
