The Bangladesh Film Certification Board has clarified that there has been no decision made to withhold the National Film Award from films featuring smoking scenes. The board emphasized that it lacks the jurisdiction to enforce such a measure.
This clarification follows a period of confusion and backlash triggered by reports hinting at the exclusion of films depicting smoking scenes from consideration for the prestigious National Film Award.
A discussion program, titled “Implementation of the Law on Controlling Smoking Scenes in Films: Responsibilities of the Stakeholders,” was held on 25 February at the Information Building, jointly organized by the Bangladesh Film Certification Board and the Association for the Prevention of Drug Abuse (MANAS).
During the event, speakers shared views suggesting that films showcasing smoking and other negative content should be deemed ineligible for the National Film Award. The vice chairman of the Film Certification Board was quoted in a MANAS press release mentioning plans to prevent the portrayal of smoking scenes in films.
The statements made at the event led to backlash from filmmakers and actors who criticized what they viewed as a looming threat to artistic freedom. In response to the uproar, both the Film Certification Board and MANAS issued clarifications.
MANAS admitted that a press release on 26 February carried a misleading headline, “No National Award if a film contains smoking scenes,” which subsequently fueled news reports. However, MANAS clarified that the statement did not represent an official decision but was a personal opinion expressed during the discussion.
MANAS elaborated that the primary focus of the meeting was on enforcing tobacco control laws, discouraging the depiction of smoking scenes in various forms of media, and discussing protective measures for children and teenagers against harmful influences.
In a separate statement, SM Abdur Rahman, vice chairman of the Bangladesh Film Certification Board, refuted claims of a decision to withhold the National Film Award from films featuring smoking scenes. He reiterated that the board lacks the authority to make such a ruling.
Rahman emphasized that his original remarks underscored the board’s duty to ensure compliance with existing laws and regulations related to smoking scenes in films. He expressed disappointment over the misrepresentation of his comments in the press release by MANAS and stated his intention to be more cautious in future collaborations with the organization.