The much-anticipated Hindi film Awarapan 2 is scheduled to release on 14 August, ahead of India’s Independence Day.
Distributor Action Cut Entertainment has applied to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for permission to release the film in Bangladesh on the same day.
However, more than three weeks after the application was submitted, the ministry has yet to make a decision.
On 14 July, Action Cut Entertainment applied for permission to release the Indian Hindi films Awarapan 2 and Toxic in Bangladesh under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement.
If the ministry grants approval, there will be no further obstacle to releasing Awarapan 2 in Bangladeshi cinemas on 14 August.
However, sources familiar with the matter said the application is still being processed.
Sharmin Akhter, deputy secretary (Film-2) at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, said, “The application is being processed. However, no decision has been made yet.”
Action Cut Entertainment has also indicated plans to release several more Hindi films in Bangladesh if Awarapan 2 receives approval.
Those plans, however, will depend entirely on government permission.
The history of Hindi film releases in Bangladesh is relatively recent.
After independence, strict restrictions were imposed on importing foreign films, particularly Hindi films, to protect the local film industry.
The situation changed in 2015 when Salman Khan-starrer Wanted was released in Bangladesh.
Indian Hindi films were then absent from Bangladeshi cinemas for several years.
Nearly eight years later, Action Cut Entertainment reopened the market with Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan.
This was followed by releases of Jawan, Stree 2, Mr & Mrs Mahi and Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan.
However, no new Hindi film has been released in Bangladesh in the past two years.
The industry is now waiting to see whether Awarapan 2 will receive the required approval for a Bangladeshi theatrical release.
