Every theatre must screen a Bengali film daily at prime time: State government

The West Bengal government passed an order on Wednesday (August 13, 2025), mandating the screening of at least one Bengali-language film daily in prime time slots in every theatre and multiplex in the State.

The Trinamool Congress, which is in power, has stepped up its Bhasha Andolan (language movement) as part of a push to prioritise the Bengali language and culture. This comes as Bengali-speaking migrants have been facing physical attacks and arrest across the country.

“In every cinema hall and on all screens (each screen) of every multiplex and theatre in this State, 365 prime-time shows of Bengali films shall mandatorily be screened throughout the year with at least one Bengali show per day,” the order by the State Government’s Information and Cultural Affairs Department reads.

“Earlier, only 120 Bengali film screenings were mandatory per year. Under the new rules, Bengali films must be screened 365 days a year on every screen during prime time slots,” West Bengal Minister Aroop Biswas said on Wednesday (August 13, 2025), referring to the August 13 notification.

Prime time shows refer to screenings held between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., the order dated August 13 clarifies.

Rules to be amended

According to the order, necessary amendments would also be made to the West Bengal Cinemas (Regulation of Public Exhibitions) Rules, 1956, in due course. The legislation pertains to the public screening of motion pictures in the State.

The order further states that this move aims to encourage the Bengali film industry, and that the issue of mandatory screenings of Bengali films by cinema halls and multiplexes of this State had been under active consideration by the State Government.

Industry welcomes the order

President of the Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers of Eastern India, Swarup Biswas, called the notification “historic” on Wednesday.

“This is a historic move by the government as it has now expanded the perimeters of the public exhibition of Bengali language films. This will ensure there are at least 365 screenings of Bengali films across all theatres and multiplexes in the State, in a fitting response to those who criticised the declining number of Bengali film productions year on year,” Mr. Biswas said.

For context, the number of Bengali language films released in 2024 had drastically reduced to under 40, from around 134 films in 2023.

“I wholeheartedly welcome the order, but we need to wait and see how it unfolds. Mandating prime time screenings will help boost sales outside the supply-demand model of distribution networks and offer some protection to those making films in the Bengali language,” critically acclaimed Bengali filmmaker Goutam Ghose told The Hindu.

He added that with the inception of multiplexes and the growing popularity of Bollywood films, the distribution of and revenue from Bengali language films had taken a hit.

“The film exhibition business in the State often preferred Bollywood films for prime time slots, considering their demand. The challenge for us was growing and sustaining a dedicated regional audience for Bengali films, like we see in the southern States. This order will hopefully help us do that. It will also challenge us to make films with better content and technology,” he added.

Long awaited

Mr. Ghose further said that talks had been ongoing for the last two decades to introduce a mandate like this.

“It is indeed an encouraging order. Talks and discussions have ultimately had some effect. I congratulate all who were involved in getting this order passed and the State government for the positive step it has taken in exhibiting Bangla, or Bengali language films,” renowned Bengali filmmaker Sudeshna Roy said.

Meanwhile, director and film producer Soumyajit Majumder said that the order is a welcome change but also a late intervention.

“Most States already have a regional film policy. Marathi films, for example, have had this backing from the Maharashtra government regarding prime time slots. As a producer, I think well-made Bengali films will get a fairer chance to survive the box office and get noticed by more people,” he said. 

Mr Majumder also highlighted that this step might also benefit independent Bengali language movies that lack big marketing budgets. 

“These films can rely more on word-of-mouth publicity and will not be ousted immediately, citing non-performance. For the Bengali language and culture to survive in this globalised world, Bengali cinema will play an integral role. It shouldn’t be only about business,” he added.