BFDC MD urges legal action over unpaid debts
The Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) has long struggled with operational and financial difficulties, with unpaid employee wages frequently sparking protests.
Despite playing a critical role in the nation's film industry, the organisation has been hampered by inefficiency and mismanagement. Recently, efforts have been made to reinvigorate the BFDC, including reducing rental fees for shooting floors and equipment to attract more production work.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. However, the corporation's financial woes persist, and its focus has now shifted to recovering substantial outstanding debts, which could prove crucial to stabilising its finances and ensuring its long-term viability.
At a press conference on Sunday, newly appointed Managing Director Masuma Rahman Tani announced that legal action is being planned to recover outstanding debts.
"Many production companies owe large sums of money to the BFDC. Despite the fact that they have completed massive projects using our resources on credit, there has been no attempt to repay the money," Tani said to local media.
"We've learned that despite sending repeated notices, nothing has come of it. These companies owe us crores, yet our employees go unpaid. We will pursue legal action. As I'm new here, I hope they'll support me as well. I've urged everyone to not just rely on sending letters but to personally follow up on behalf of the BFDC. Initially, we will ask for the outstanding amounts politely, but if that doesn't work, we will have no choice but to go the legal route," she added.
Masuma Rahman Tani took charge as the Managing Director of the BFDC on February 23. On the same day, a protest was held in front of the BFDC's main gate by the "Boishamyaheen Chalachitra Swartha Sangrakkhan Committee[1] ", (Committee for the Protection of Equal Rights in Cinema) demanding her removal.
However, Tani seems unfazed by these protests and is focusing on improving the BFDC.
"The BFDC is not just about work or responsibility for me—it's a place I love. When passion meets responsibility, the work takes on a different dimension. Those who worked here before me often had to deal with various pressures from the government of that time. However, this current government is focused on reform, and I will do my utmost to work toward reforming the BFDC," she explained.
Outlining her plans for the BFDC, Tani revealed that some initiatives are already underway.
"We've reduced the rent for the floors, which has led to an increase in the number of shoots. Filmmakers were also previously hesitant to shoot here because of bureaucratic red tape. Those issues are being addressed. There's still much more room for improvement," she added.
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