Every Thursday evening, the projection hall of the Bangladesh Film Archive in Agargaon lights up with the memories of Bangla cinema’s golden era.
Here, audiences are transported back in time to relive the magic of classic films that once captured the hearts of millions and all without a ticket.
Announcements for the weekly screenings are shared on the official Facebook page of the Bangladesh Film Archive, drawing film enthusiasts from across Dhaka and, at times, even beyond. The only entry requirement is a love of cinema.
Last Thursday’s screening featured the 1989 blockbuster Beder Meye Josna, a film that remains unparalleled in Bangladesh’s box office history.
Directed by Tozammel Hossain Bokul and starring Ilias Kanchan and Anju Ghosh, the film’s emotional storytelling and unforgettable songs turned it into a cultural phenomenon.
Projectionist Abdur Rahman told The TIMES of Bangladesh, “The turnout depends on the film. When we show movies starring the late Salman Shah, the hall becomes houseful; sometimes there’s not even space to stand. People come from outside Dhaka, often with their families, to watch these classics together.”
The Bangladesh Film Archive has a storied past that traces back to the years following independence. In the mid-1970s, with support from local film societies and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Bangladesh began taking steps towards establishing a national film archive.
This effort led to the founding of the Bangladesh Film Institute and Archive on 17 May 1978, later renamed the Bangladesh Film Archive in 1984.
Initially operating from rented premises in Dhanmondi, College Gate and later Shahbagh, the archive finally moved to its permanent home in Agargaon in late 2018.
The modern complex includes a 300-seat projection hall, where the weekly screenings are held, and a 500-seat multipurpose auditorium occasionally used for special shows.
“We want the younger generation to know the history of Bangladeshi cinema,” said Farhana Rahman, Director of the Bangladesh Film Archive.
“That’s why we have taken the initiative to screen classic films regularly and free of cost. Screenings have been held on a limited scale since 1978, but since moving to the new building in 2018, audiences have been attending regularly.”
“We screen both old and new titles from our collection. When we post about upcoming shows on social media, viewers respond enthusiastically, suggesting films and sharing memories. The response has been overwhelmingly positive and audience numbers continue to grow,” she added.
