Anonno Mamun’s ‘Makeup’ approved for release after 5 years

After a five-year battle, the film Makeup, directed by Anonno Mamun, has finally secured approval for release.

The production team received the official permit on December 17, 2024, marking the end of a tumultuous journey of bans, appeals, and revisions.

However, the approval came with a condition.

Certain scenes and dialogues had to be removed to meet the requirements of the Bangladesh Film Certification Act.

Anonno Mamun confirmed that minor cuts were made, including the removal of a 1-minute-12-second scene.

This was because it featured images of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and a few contentious dialogues.

Despite these changes, the director emphasised that the edits did not compromise the narrative or artistic integrity of the film.

The film was ultimately granted a “U” certificate, making it suitable for all audiences.

The journey to approval wasn’t easy.

In January 2021, the Bangladesh Film Censor Board initially banned the film, citing offensive content and that it portrayed the film industry negatively.

This decision was supported by ex-Censor Board member Khorshed Alam Khosru.

At the time, he said the movie lacked the necessary standards to pass certification.

Tariq Anam Khan, who stars in the film, stated:

“I have acted in the movie. I did not find anything offensive or negative in the scenes that I worked on.”

In October 2024, the Appeals Committee under the Certification Act of 2023 upheld the ban after reviewing the film.

According to the Act, films must meet stringent technical and narrative standards, and the initial version of Makeup was deemed to fall short.

Sub-section 12(1) outlines grounds for rejection, including poor production quality, disorganised direction, and technical flaws like subpar dubbing or sound effects.

Following the Appeals Committee’s decision, the film could not be resubmitted for revisions until the rejection process was fully completed.

Mamun opted to take the film to the newly established Certification Board, which ultimately approved it after reviewing the revised version.

Makeup explores the life of fictional movie superstar Shahbaz Khan, played by Tariq Anam Khan.

The cast also includes Ziaul Roshan and Nipa Ahmed Realy in prominent roles.

The film offers a dramatic portrayal of fame, success, and the darker undercurrents of the entertainment industry.

Makeup‘s approval has sparked conversations within the Bangladeshi film industry about creative freedom and the challenges of navigating new regulations.