The West Bengal government on Wednesday (August 13, 2025) issued an order and ordered a screening of at least one film of Bengal’s language daily in the main time slots in every theater and multiplex in the state.
The Trinamool Congress, which is in power, has intensified its Bhasha Andolan (language movement) in pressure to prefer Bengal and culture. This comes when Bengal -speaking migrants face physical attacks and arrests across the country.
“In every kinematological hall and on all screens (each screen) of every multiplex and theater in this state, 365 main shows of Bengal films will be mixed all year round.
“Previously, only 120 Bengal film projections were mandatory annually. According to the new rules, Bengal films must be tested 365 days a year on each screen over the main time slots,” said West Bengal’s Minister Aroop Biswas on Wednesday (August 13, 2025).
Prime Time Show relates to the screening held between 15:00 and 21:00, the order of 13th August explains.
Rules to be modified
According to the order of 1956, the necessary changes would also make the necessary changes in the cinemas of West Bengal (regulation of public exhibitions). Legislation concerns public screening of films in the state.
The Order further states that this step aims to encourage the Bengal film industry and that the question of compulsory screenings of Bengal films with cinematography and the multiplexes of this state was actively considered by the state government.
The industry welcomes the order
Chairman of the Federation of Cine Technicians and East India employees on Wednesday described the announcement as “historical”.
“This is a historical step of the government because it has now expanded the districts of public exhibitions of Bengal language films. This will ensure at least 365 screenings of Bengal films in all theaters and multiplexes in the state, in a suitable response to those who criticized the declining number of Bengal productions year,” Biswas said.
For context, the number of Bengal language films published in 2024 was drastically decreased to less than 40, out of approximately 134 films in 2023.
“I sincerely welcome the order, but we have to wait and see how it depends. The first -class projection order will help increase sales outside the distribution network of offerings and offer some protection for those filmed films in Bengal,” said critically recognized Bengalian filmmaker Goutam Goutam Goutam Goutam Goutam Goutam Goutam Goutam Goutam Goutam Goutam told Hindu.
He added that with the creation of multiplexes and the growing popularity of Bollywood films, it affected the distribution and income from Bengal language films.
“Film show business in the state has often preferred Bollywood films for the main time slots, given their demand. The challenge for us was to grow and maintain a specialized regional audience for Bengal films, as we see in the southern states.
For a long time
Mr. Ghose also said that interviews have been taking place in the last two decades to introduce such a mandate.
“It is indeed an encouraging order. Talks and discussions eventually had some effect. Congratulations to all who were involved in the fact that this order went through and the state government for a positive step he took when exhibiting Bangly or Bengal films,” said the famous Bengal filmmaker Sudeshna Roy.
Meanwhile, the director and film producer Tymyajit Majumder said that the order is a welcome change, but also late intervention.
“Most countries already have regional film policy. Marathi films, for example, have had this support from the Maharahtra government on the main time slots. As a producer, I think well -made Bengal films will get a fairer chance to survive the cash register and notice more people,” he said.
Majumder also stressed that this step could also benefit independent Bengal language films that lack large marketing budgets.
“These films can rely more on the publicity of words about the mouth and will not be driven immediately, quoting failure. In order to survive the Bengal and culture in this globalized world, the Bengal cinema will play an integral role. It should not be just about business,” he added.
Published – August 13, 2025 22:28
