NEW DELHI: Inaugurating the first-ever Bangladesh Films Festival, Minister of state for Information and Broadcasting CM Jatua said this would contribute further to the people-to-people contacts between the two countries. He recommended that the films should be taken to other cities as well.

Jatua felt the films would lead to a better understanding of the composite ethos of Bangladesh. The Minister said though the people of both countries lived separately, they shared a common bond with regard to history, culture and social values. In the current scenario, it was imperative that media played a pro-active role in familiarising the people in India with the cinematic brilliance of film directors from Bangladesh.

Speaking on the occasion, Bangladesh High Commissioner Tariq A Karim said culture transcends all languages. He said recently Bangladesh cinema had seen a fresh upsurge with a fresh and intellectual capital in terms of new blood.

Renowned actor and director Sarah Kabori, who is also a Member of Parliament, said India had helped Bangladesh in every sphere from the time of the freedom movement in 1971 to the present day.

The three-day festival of films from Bangladesh has been organised by the Directorate of Film Festivals in collaboration with the Bangladesh High Commission from 16 to 18 April.at Sirifort Auditorioum II.

In all, seven films will be screened: Ontorjatra, Joyjatra, Bachelor, Rupkathar Golpo, Matir Moina, Aha and ‘Ayna by Kabori which was the inaugural film.

Other members of the Bangladesh delegation are distinguished film producer and Managing Director of Impress Telefilm Limited Faridur Reza Sagar, noted actor and director Tauquir Ahmed, talented actors from the new generation Aupee and Shahidul Alam.