Bangladeshi TV dramas have a glorious history. Dhaka Television Station was launched in sixties which was before Calcutta Television. Later during the seventies and eighties Bangladesh Television produced many popular TV dramas and TV serials, which became popular beyond Bangladeshi territory. Many noted dramatists including Humayun Ahmed, Abdullah Al Mamun and Selim Al Deen was behind the production on Bangladeshi TV dramas. Later production of TV drama was privatized and many young directors got the opportunity to produce TV dramas.
Bangladeshi TV drama industry has been going through very difficult time in recent years. Few years ago average budget of Bangladeshi TV dramas were three to four lakh taka which were sold to TV channels for around eight lakh taka. Now directors are forced to sell TV dramas even for one lakh taka. So budget for Bangladeshi TV dramas has reduced and as a consequence quality of these dramas have fallen. Performers and technicians are losing livelihood.
This crisis and other issues affecting Bangladeshi TV drama industry was discussed at a restaurant in the capital on Saturday evening. Director’s Guild arranged the meeting. Several media personalities demanded necessary steps from the information minister at the meeting. Actor and director Mahfuz Ahmed said, we have many talented directors who can make world class films and TV dramas if government assistance is available.
