Since the days of BTV, various festival-centric dramas have been produced. From Rabindra-Nazrul Jayanti to Valentine’s Day, the two Eids and Pohela Boishakh, special dramas have marked numerous occasions.
February begins today, bringing Valentine’s Day and International Mother Language Day, while Ramadan also starts this month. Eid is just a month and a half away. More than 300 veteran and emerging directors, including Abul Hayat, Salahuddin Lavlu, Sagar Jahan, Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Raz, Kajal Arefin Ome, Vicky Zahed and Probir Roy Chowdhury, are preparing hundreds of dramas for release.
Conversations with directors and producers reveal that, with few exceptions, almost all productions are now being geared towards Eid. Preparations around Valentine’s Day, by contrast, are minimal. It seems the focus of dramas is shifting towards Eid. But why?
Director Jakaria Soukhin believes the main reason is the complexity of sponsorship. He said, “There are several reasons why dramas lack that zest. Due to the political situation, upcoming elections, and Ramadan, sponsors are less interested. As a result, many dramas are postponed until Eid.”
Actor Farhan Ahmed Jovan points out that Eid is a long holiday, during which families tend to watch dramas together. However, he disagrees that dramas are becoming entirely Eid-centric. “Dramas are being produced outside of Eid too; otherwise, we would have been idle. Many dramas achieve millions of views even during regular times,” he said.
Director and Producer Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Raz feels the industry is not becoming Eid-centric. “Others may produce more dramas for Eid, but I release three instead of ten during that period. I also release two dramas every month,” he explained. Currently, he has no plans to release any new dramas before Eid.
Director Md Rafat Majumder Rinku admitted that there is a financial loss when fewer productions happen on days like Valentine’s Day. “There will be a slight loss because fewer dramas are produced on Valentine’s Day. That is something everyone has to accept.”
There are dramas for Eid, and those that are not aired now will have a chance to be broadcast then. However, I am optimistic this year, as Pohela Boishakh is free,” he said.
