TL;DR:
- Renowned filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki appointed as Cultural Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government on November 10, 2024, joining alongside two other advisers at Bangabhaban.
- Farooki plans to transform Bangladesh’s cultural landscape by collaborating with cultural leaders including Mohammad Azam, Latiful Islam Shibli, Syed Jamil Ahmed, and Afsana Begum.
- The new Cultural Adviser emphasizes the crucial role of cinema in shaping Bangladesh’s narrative and pledges to address the ministry’s long-standing neglect and limited budget.
- His appointment has received widespread support from the artistic community while also drawing some criticism and protests, particularly regarding his perceived political alignments.
Renowned filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has officially assumed his role as Cultural Adviser at the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, marking a significant transition in Bangladesh’s cultural leadership landscape.
The acclaimed director outlined his vision during his first press briefing at the Ministry of Cultural Affairs yesterday, emphasizing collaboration with a team of accomplished cultural leaders. “Let’s not hide the fact—everyone knows the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has long been neglected. The budget for this sector is always limited. But my advantage is that I have an incredible team,” Farooki stated.
Key Appointments and Vision
Farooki highlighted the strength of his leadership team, including Mohammad Azam at Bangla Academy, Latiful Islam Shibli at the Nazrul Institute, Syed Jamil Ahmed at Shilpakala Academy, and Afsana Begum at the National Book Centre. His immediate plans include a comprehensive assessment of the ministry’s financial standing and requesting proposals from cultural academy heads for visible changes within three months.
Film Industry Focus
The new Cultural Adviser emphasized the crucial role of cinema in shaping Bangladesh’s cultural narrative. “The new narrative of Bangladesh we want to construct isn’t possible without films,” he declared, positioning the film industry as a central focus of the Ministry’s future initiatives.
Response to Criticism
Addressing recent controversies, Farooki dismissed allegations of political bias and responded to criticism from various quarters. “Whether I stood against fascism or not – I did not come to take this ministerial position as a reward for that. What matters is whether I can do this job,” he stated during his first visit to the Secretariat.
Personal Motivation
Farooki, who took his oath on November 10 at Bangabhaban, cited two primary reasons for accepting the position: an irresistible motivation to serve the country and the opportunity to work alongside Professor Muhammad Yunus. “I never imagined myself in any position of power. But working alongside Professor Yunus was too tempting to resist,” he explained.
The filmmaker maintains his identity primarily as an artist, stating, “When I die, no one will remember me as a minister. They’ll remember me as a filmmaker. Alhamdulillah, I have my own identity, and I’m content with that.”
Source: Samakal
