Sazzad Khan criticised the decision.
The internationally acclaimed Bangladeshi film Kathgolap has been officially banned from screening in the country, despite earning recognition abroad.
According to a formal notice issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the film has been declared uncertified and prohibited for public exhibition nationwide.
The notification stated that the appeal submitted for the film’s certification was rejected, leading to its classification as uncertified under national law.
The ministry further warned that any attempt to screen Kathgolap would result in the immediate confiscation of materials and legal action against those responsible.
Officials cited a breach of Section 12(1) of the Bangladesh Film Certification Act, 2023, as the legal basis for the decision.
Film Certification Board Vice Chairman SM Abdur Rahman confirmed the ministry’s directive.
He said that the screening of the film had indeed been banned, but he refused to provide specific reasons for the rejection.
Produced under Dreamland Entertainment by Farman Ali and directed by Sazzad Khan, Kathgolap features a story and screenplay written by Aporna Rubel.
The film stars Keya, Rashed Mamun Apu, Meghla Mukta, and Dilruba Doyel.
It offers a narrative that has resonated strongly with international audiences.
Director Sazzad Khan expressed his disappointment, saying that it was deeply frustrating to see his work celebrated at global festivals but silenced at home.
He remarked that there was nothing in Kathgolap that could justify such a severe restriction, calling the decision both surprising and disheartening.
The film had earlier received awards and praise at several international events.
This includes the Shanta Dev International Film Festival in Chennai and the Navy International Film Festival in Malaysia.
Sazzad Khan criticised the decision by questioning the purpose of the Film Certification Board.
He argued that its role should be to classify films rather than ban them outright.
He added that the recent transition from the old censorship framework to a new certification system was supposed to ensure creative freedom, not suppress it further.
The Bangladesh Film Certification Act, 2023, replaced the long-standing Censorship of Films Act, 1963, aiming to modernise the country’s approach to film regulation.
Following political shifts and public protests, the Film Censor Board was reconstituted in September 2024 and renamed the Certification Board to reflect a more open cultural policy.
However, this latest ban on Kathgolap has reignited debates over whether the new system is any different from the old one.
Many in the creative community believe that despite promises of reform, the same restrictive mindset continues to dominate official decisions on artistic expression.
For filmmakers like Sazzad Khan, the ban feels like a setback to Bangladesh’s progress in cinema.
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