“This move is extremely alarming.”
A sudden ban on drama and TV filming locations by the Uttara Welfare Association has triggered widespread protests from Bangladesh’s entertainment community.
The ban came through a letter issued by the association, asking homeowners to stop renting their houses for filming.
Signed on July 20, 2025, the notice states that filming activities were causing public gatherings, blocking roads, and disturbing residents.
It claims that these commercial activities violate residential zoning regulations and harm the environment and image of the sector.
Residents were urged to preserve the area’s peaceful atmosphere and not lease their properties for filming or production work.
The letter, confirmed by the Welfare Association’s administrative officer, Golam Rabbani, has shaken the film and drama community deeply.
Among the affected shooting locations are Laboni-4, Laboni-5, and Aponghar-2, spaces long been relied on for serials and drama productions.
Aslam Hossain, owner of Laboni Shooting House, broke down in tears as the order asked him to halt his work.
He said: “I have been running this business in the area for 25 years. No one has ever filed a complaint.
“But now we are being asked to stop shooting. We have informed the Directors’ Guild about the matter.”
Actor and Directors’ Guild President Shahiduzzaman Selim condemned the letter as hasty and unfair to a long-standing creative ecosystem.
He said: “You can’t just ask to stop abruptly; they could have issued a notice allowing some time.”
The guild is sending a formal protest and has assured homeowners that it fully supports their continued operation.
Artists have also taken to social media to express frustration over what they see as an attack on culture and livelihood.
Director Mahmud Didar wrote: “They have asked to shut down the shooting houses… There were never any complaints. Now, suddenly, it’s unacceptable!”
He added: “Be it Uttara or Pubail, tough times are ahead!”
Filmmaker Topu Khan called the decision “nothing short of an obstacle to the development of our arts and culture.”
He remembered Laboni-4 as a space filled with cherished memories and praised its owner as “one of the kindest” people he’s met.
Actor Raonak Hasan pointed out the double standards, noting that other businesses operate freely while only shootings face such scrutiny.
He urged all stakeholders, MPs, city officials, and police to engage in dialogue and find balanced guidelines.
The Directors’ Guild of Bangladesh also issued a formal statement condemning the sudden move as harmful to cultural continuity and livelihoods.
The Guild’s statement read:
“This move is extremely alarming.”
They warned that ongoing productions and jobs for hundreds are now in jeopardy unless the Welfare Association reconsiders its position.
The Uttara Welfare Association’s ban remains, but pressure from the country’s cultural workers continues to mount against the sudden directive.
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