There are separate organisations representing different departments of the film industry. Offices of several film-related bodies—including the Artistes’ Association, Directors’ Association and Producers’ Association—are located at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC). As a result, artistes, directors, producers and other members can raise their concerns and demands for facilities through their respective organisations, and they benefit from various institutional privileges.
However, playback singers remain deprived in this system. They do not have a separate organisation of their own, nor are they officially enlisted under any existing body.
Highlighting the real-life situation of film playback singers, singer Nazmun Munira Nancy has called on the Bangladesh government to recognise music-related professionals of the film industry as “film artistes” and to increase their facilities and benefits. She shared an open letter on Facebook addressed to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, where she outlined her demands for better opportunities and support for playback singers.
Nancy also expressed her disappointment, noting that there is not even a designated room or seating space for artistes at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC).
In that letter, Nancy wrote, “In this subcontinent, especially in Bengali cinema, songs are a powerful tool. From the very beginning, our films have achieved publicity, outreach, and commercial success through music. Music professionals involved in films—singers, lyricists, composers, and music directors—also receive National Film Awards in recognition of their work. However, regrettably, under the other facilities provided by the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation, music artistes are not taken into consideration.”
“The organisation called the Artistes’ Association does not grant us membership or voting rights. When we enter the BFDC, we see separate rooms for the Directors’ Association, Producers’ Association, and Artistes’ Association. However, there is no designated space for us to rest, refresh, or practice. Despite playing an essential role in the film medium, music professionals do not even have a place to sit, which is disheartening for all artistes in the film industry.”
Nancy further wrote, “Even though music artistes are invited to any festival or event, we are still severely neglected in the institutional evaluation of the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation. I have raised this issue personally in various discussions and television interviews, but it has never been directly addressed through the Ministry before.”
Nancy has requested the allocation of an office to help bridge the gap between BFDC and playback singers, ensure they receive their rightful facilities, and secure their due privileges.
