Bollywood films have always remained a subject of scrutiny in neighbouring countries. Even now, when a number of Pakistani actors have crossed over to B-town to establish themselves in the world’s second biggest film industry and when artistic collaborations between the two nations are at an all-time high, there are certain individuals and groups who feel that the influx of Bollywood films are only affecting the growth of local cinema. And it seems the Bangladeshi film industry feels the same, so much so that they have even banned the use of Bollywood songs.
According to a Bangladeshi daily, the country’s high court has as issued a ruling that bans the use of songs from Indian movies and movies as ringtones, and caller tunes on mobile phones. The ban was passed after hearing a writ petition filed by Music Industries Owners Association President AKM Arifur Rahman and General Secretary SK Shahed Ali. Ever since the ruling, #WhyBanBollywood has been trending on the country’s Twitter circuit.
Earlier, popular actor Shakib Khan had also lead a protest to ban Bollywood films in Bangladesh claiming that they would cause the collapse of the already-crippled local film industry and received immense support from the country’s film fraternity.
