Former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia passed away on Tuesday, December 30. Elected in 1991, she became the country’s first female Prime Minister and went on to lead Bangladesh for two more terms.
Film journalist Mahfuzur Rahman noted that no political films were produced during the Ershad regime, a period when folk films dominated the industry. “After assuming power, Begum Zia adopted a very liberal policy towards cultural development,” he said. “This had a significant impact on the film industry. Political films flourished during her tenure, and the way corruption among ministers and MPs was portrayed on screen was truly astonishing.”
In 1991, Chashi Nazrul Islam’s ‘Padma Meghna Jamuna’ depicted the lives of char dwellers, land occupation and the murky politics of influential groups. That same year, Kazi Hayat’s ‘Danga’ offered a stark portrayal of the government, ministers and MPs. The director made his political stance clear through the title song, ‘He Matribhumi’.
Kazi Hayat continued this trajectory in 1992 with ‘Trash’, which exposed the arming of ruling-party groups under the guise of student politics and the resulting devastation of ordinary students’ lives. The film is still regarded as one of the finest cinematic portrayals of student politics in Bangladesh. In 1993, ‘Chadabaz’ was released, widely considered the first film in independent Bangladesh to address extortion and political terrorism. Its message was further underscored by the song ‘Muktijoddha Kothay Tumi’.
In 1994, Hayat made ‘Desh Premik’, a deeply moving film examining state interference in freedom of expression and the role of the Ministry of Information. While not a direct reflection of reality, the film clearly echoed the repression of the time.
Film activist Fazle Elahi said that although these films faced criticism from the government and other quarters, many went on to receive National Film Awards, which were presented by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia herself. “The Ministry of Information raised objections over the portrayal of the Information Minister in one patriotic film. When the matter reached Khaleda Zia, she said the jury board’s decision would be final,” Elahi recalled.
He also noted that despite objections from various groups, Humayun Ahmed’s ‘Aguner Poroshmoni’ was not excluded from the National Film Awards during Khaleda Zia’s tenure.
According to film journalist Pappu, Khaleda Zia was also the first to initiate plans for a government-funded film on the life of Begum Rokeya, the pioneer of women’s emancipation in Bengal. In 1995, she personally attended the mahurat of the film Begum Rokeya, the only film launch ceremony she ever attended.
Shabana and director Subhash Dutta were set to be involved in the project, but it was shelved following a change in government. As a female leader, her gesture reflected respect and generosity towards another pioneering woman.
Pappu further said that Khaleda Zia demonstrated similar generosity towards political opponents when she awarded the Swadhinata Padak to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman during her third term in 2003, transcending party affiliations.
During her third term, Khaleda Zia oversaw the construction of the current headquarters of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Earlier, during her first term, she had taken initiatives to decentralise the institution, leading to the expansion of cultural activities at district and upazila levels.
She also reintroduced the Independence Award, Ekushey Padak, Notun Kuri and film grants initially launched by her husband, the late President Ziaur Rahman. Film grants initially ranged between Tk100,000 and Tk150,000, but from the 1994 to 1995 fiscal year, the amount was increased to Tk11 lakh.
