MANAS (Association for the Prevention of Drug Abuse), an anti-tobacco and anti-drug organisation in Bangladesh; protested the screening of smoking scenes with important characters in movies, dramas, webseries and OTT platforms.
Prof Dr Arup Ratan Choudhury, founder president of MANAS; made the protest in a press statement issued on Monday (May 15).
The statement came following the news that Shakib Khan, a national award-winning actor in Bangladesh; and Afran Nisho, a popular actor of the small screen; are seen smoking at the first look poster and first look video of the duo’s movies, which are set to be released in theatres in the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.
Shakib Khan and Afran Nisho are blamed for encouraging smoking in violation of the tobacco control. In the first look poster of the film ‘Priyotoma’, Shakib Khan is seen holding a burning cigarette on his lips as well as he is seen smoking. In the first look video of the film ‘Surongo’, Afran Nisho is also seen smoking.
MANAS in its statement also mentioned the name of another film ‘Ek Rater Golpo’, saying that the poster of the film displays smoking scene illegally.
According to the tobacco control law, any film, drama or documents on television, radio, internet or any other media don’t broadcast, display or describe the use of tobacco products. Prof Dr Arup Ratan Choudhury said that screening of smoking scenes with important characters in movie and drama encourage the young generation to smoke. Although it is banned by law, smoking scenes are being shown in various films, dramas, webseries made and aired recently. This has now become a cause for serious concern, he added.
The MANAS chief on behalf of his organisation called upon the Bangladesh Film Censor Board and others concerned to take immediate action in this regard.
