Two Historic Cinema Halls in Bangladesh Close Down

Two traditional cinema halls in Bangladesh, Madhumati in Bhairab and Shaphla Talkies in Rangpur, have recently ceased operations, adding to a growing trend of cinema closures across the country. Madhumati, located in Bhairab, Kishoreganj, was demolished shortly after its closure. The hall had been struggling with continuous losses and mounting debt, making it unsustainable to operate. The management stated that the financial situation had become dire, especially over the last two Eid festivals, leading to the decision to dismantle the property. In Rangpur, Shaphla Talkies, established in 1978, had been operating under a rental agreement since 2006. The current operators claim they were forced to close despite having a contract until 2032. The original owner, an army officer, passed away in 2007, and his heirs now reportedly intend to construct a commercial building on the premises instead of continuing to operate the cinema hall. This situation has caused significant financial loss to the operators. Meanwhile, in an effort to address the crisis facing cinema halls, 19 film industry organizations have formed a new collective. This group aims to revitalize and preserve cinema halls by exploring avenues for modernization, renovation, and the establishment of new venues. They also plan to work on implementing a Tk 1,000 crore loan incentive program for the sector and address issues like central servers and e-ticketing. Filmmakers have expressed concern over the closures, citing a lack of quality films as a primary reason for the decline of cinema halls and criticizing industry leaders for prioritizing publicity over substantive solutions.