Bangladeshi director Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has spoken out in response to inquiries surrounding the absence of his film “Shonibar Bikel” (Saturday Afternoon) from local theaters. Farooki clarified that the decision was driven by practical business considerations rather than reluctance or fear.
In a recent social media post, Farooki addressed the persistent queries regarding the theatrical release of his film over the last eighteen months. He highlighted that the questions often carried an underlying assumption that he was avoiding discussions on extremism.
The director elucidated that following the film’s availability on the SonyLIV streaming platform, numerous online links had been shared, making the film easily accessible to viewers. Farooki emphasized that those interested had likely already watched it, and those who hadn’t could easily find it online.
Farooki reasoned that releasing a film in cinemas, when it is widely accessible online, would not be financially viable in the Bangladeshi market. He explained that even a highly successful film generates limited revenue after accounting for distribution expenses. Drawing on an example, he mentioned his acclaimed 2004 film “Bachelor,” noting that similar to “Shonibar Bikel,” the decision not to release it in theaters was due to unfavorable business prospects.