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Irrfan Khan’s film No Bed of Roses, a film said to be loosely based on late Bangladeshi writer and filmmaker Humayun Ahmed, has been banned in Bangaldesh.
Helmed by Bangladeshi filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, the movie is said to be about Ahmed – who divorced his wife of 27 years and married an actress 33 years his junior. The filmmaker, however, has denied that it’s a biopic.
According to variety.com, the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation’s (BFDC) Joint Venture Preview Committee approved the script of the movie on March 8, 2016, after which the film went into production. The completed film was previewed for the BFDC on February 12, 2017 and received a No Objection Certificate on February 15.
Just a day later, the BFDC sent the production a letter stating that the certificate had been cancelled due to a letter from the Bangladesh Information Ministry.
“I am really surprised to know that the government of Bangladesh has blocked the film. This is a humane story that deals with complex male and female relationships in a subtle and balanced way. What harm will it cause to the society if seen?” Irrfan said.
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However, all the letters issued to the production from the BFDC are all on the organization’s official letterhead.
In reality, international co-productions cannot approach the Censor Board without the BFDC certificate.
“We have been blocked at the first gate. As the order does not explain any reason, I don’t know why they thought screening of the film would be inappropriate.
“Yes, my film handles a so-called taboo subject but it doesn’t show anything explicit and hence doesn’t violate any censor code. This goes against the freedom of expression,” said Farooki.