The problem started when the Film Producers and Distributors Association (BFPDA) enforced a ban on popular actress Poppy without consulting the Artists Association of FDC. The Artists and Directors Association protested this action and consequently the BFPDA also banned Chashi Nazrul Islam and Ahmed Sharif, joint convenors of Bangladesh Film Federation and also members of the Censor Board.

Chashi Nazrul in a press briefing at the National Press Club, alleged that Ashrafuddin Ahmed Uzzal, the Secretary General of BFPDA, had asked the producers to submit films to the BFPDA instead of the Censor Board as long as Chashi Nazrul and Ahmed Sharif were in the Board.

"Because of our hard-line attitude against vulgar cinema, the producers of vulgar movies are trying to remove us from the Censor Board. The Producers Association has gone beyond all limits as they are banning artists and directors at their will without talking to the organisations concerned. They are also running a virtual parallel government within the FDC by forming a separate censor board," said Ahmed Sharif

Bangladesh Film Federation is comprised of 17 associations of artists, directors, cameramen, editors, musicians, exhibitors and other employees of the FDC.

"Most members of the Federation have to live on daily wages. They have sacrificed their work in protest against vulgar movies. We are no longer in a state to face the public with dignity as the movie personals have lost their appeal because of vulgar films," said Chasi Nazrul.

Bangladesh Film Federation called a strike last week protesting obscene movies produced by some producers of of the FDC. In a retaliatory move, the BFPDA also banned Monwar Hossain Dipzol, the General Secretary of Artists Association, as he made a list of artists and producers who were involved in these movies.

Bangladesh Film Federation decided to boycotted 13 artists -- Mayuri, Zhumka, Polly, Danny Raj, Mizu Ahmed, Chita, fight director Salam and 10 producers and directors like Sharfuddin Khan Dipu, Jahangir Alam, M A Rahim, Raju Chowdhury and Ramzan Ali Khan.

The Federation also alleged that Rajib, the managing director of FDC, is patronising the vulgar and semi-porn movies and is taking bribe from their producers. They also demanded his resignation.

When journalists asked why many other persons, who were known to be involved with filthy films, were spared, Federation members said that the movement was a warning for others who were encouraging obscenity.

The present crisis arose just when decent people started returning to the cinema halls with the release of a number of good, clean movies like Martir Moina, Moner Majhe Tumi, Chandra Kotha etc.

Although the strike was withdrawn on Monday, after intervention of the information ministry, the loss of respect and faith among personalities of the film industry, looks destined to linger on for the worse.