Directors’ Guild to Work for the Protection of Youth

The Television and Digital Drama Directors’ Association, ‘Directors’ Guild,’ and the ‘Actors’ Equity’ have committed to working for the protection of the younger generation. Drama directors and artists have agreed to avoid smoking, drug use, and other negative scenes and dialogues in television dramas to ensure healthy entertainment. They have also called for the proper implementation of public health laws and state regulations for the protection of youth.

On the morning of April 27, 2025, at Niketan, Dhaka, speakers expressed these views at a discussion meeting titled “The Role of the Drama Industry in Protecting the Younger Generation,” organized by MANAS (Society for the Prevention of Drug Abuse) and the Directors’ Guild Bangladesh.

The President of the Directors’ Guild Bangladesh, Shahiduzzaman Selim, was present as the Chief Guest. He stated that viewers are significantly influenced by protagonists and central characters in dramas and films. While it may not always be possible to avoid scenes like smoking and drug use entirely, we must exercise maximum caution. He emphasized that we can either guide young people toward good paths or lead them astray. He urged artists and directors to remain vigilant out of social responsibility. He noted that the Directors’ Guild and Actors’ Equity could play the most significant role in visual media and expressed his intention to work together with MANAS and other stakeholders toward this goal.

The event was chaired by Professor Dr. Arup Ratan Choudhury, Founder President of MANAS and a heroic freedom fighter. Special guests who spoke included Executive Committee members of the Directors’ Guild Bangladesh—Geetali Hasan and Chayanika Chowdhury—General Secretary of Actors’ Equity Rashed Mamun Apu, and Vital Strategies Senior Technical Advisor Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam. Other speakers included Gazi Apel Mahmud, Secretary of Training and Archives of Directors’ Guild, actor Masud Rana Mithu, directors Tamal Mahbub, Solaiman Jewel, Kamrul Hasan Fuad, Firoz Khan, among others.

The seminar featured a paper presentation by MANAS Project Coordinator Umme Jannat and was moderated by MANAS Senior Project and Communication Officer Md. Abu Raihan.

In her paper, Umme Jannat stated that 33% of the country’s population is youth. To protect them from the harms of smoking and drugs, it is crucial to implement laws in entertainment media and raise awareness among directors, artists, and other stakeholders while emphasizing positive content.

Rashed Mamun Apu noted that with technological advancement and easy internet access, dramas and films have become widely available, including on OTT platforms. He stressed the need to impose state regulations to prevent smoking from being portrayed as heroic in dramas and films and highlighted the importance of taking care of the mental health of actors.

Syed Mahbubul Alam said that drama and film are not just forms of entertainment but important tools for education and awareness. They influence state thinking. Although both positive and negative aspects exist in dramas and films, the state must maintain control to avoid the spread of negativity, as it impacts the health, behavior, and language of young audiences.

Professor Dr. ArupRatan Choudhury said that drama and film creators, actors, and the general public are all aware of the harms of tobacco and smoking. However, due to manipulations by tobacco companies, it has become difficult to reduce tobacco use, leading to greater addiction among youth. He noted that drug addiction often starts with smoking among adolescents and youths. Therefore, drama creators, artists, and all concerned must act responsibly as part of their social duty to raise awareness among the youth. Only then can Bangladesh move forward on the path to prosperity.

Members of the Directors’ Guild Bangladesh, Actors’ Equity, and over 30 drama and film directors were present at the event.