Tariq Anam Khan: Artistes should be on the side of people
As the head of the Interim Reform Committee, Tariq must now address and tackle years of corruption in the Actors' Equity within four months
At the height of the student protests, particularly on 15 July, President Ahsan Habib Nasim and General Secretary Rawnak Hasan made a public statement in support of the former Awami League government under the banner of the Actors' Equity Bangladesh.
The move was met with resistance from the entertainment industry. It was what pushed actress Zakia Bari Mamo to boldly stand against the organisation. In a situation where the guild sided against people fighting for justice, many in the industry began to question what the point of the Actors' Equity actually was.
Tariq Anam Khan took a step forward during this turbulent time. On 18 September, the Actors' Equity Bangladesh unanimously decided to form an 'Interim Reform Committee' and the veteran actor now shoulders the challenge of reform as the appointed head of the committee.
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With years of experience in the industry, the decision to have him spearhead this movement toward change came without resistance. Now, the actor must face the challenge of undoing years of corruption, all within four months.
The reforms will ensure that history never repeats itself. An artiste's stance should always be with the people.
Reforms
Throughout the regime of the previous government, politics had spread its roots in many sectors, even reaching the entertainment industry.
It goes without saying that the Actors' Equity had been exploited, favouring the whims of political actors and their agendas, which sparked discontent among its members. After the recent protests, this frustration reached its peak. Tariq Anam Khan sees this as a critical issue for reform.
"In the past, we've seen committee members liaising with the ruling party. The reforms will ensure that history never repeats itself. An artiste's stance should always be with the people," he said.
Tariq also addressed the culture of favouritism that has become intertwined with the entertainment industry. For the longest time, the guild has been accused of prioritising the interests of influential or star members, while the concerns of new and emerging members are often overlooked. Tariq feels the guild lost its purpose once corruption and favouritism set in.
"The organisation belongs to all its members and everyone should be treated equally here," commented Tariq.
"The guild's leadership has failed in many areas. Right now, we are building a system where all its members feel welcome and prioritised. Everyone's voice must be heard," he added.
Tariq's goals for reforms extend to the well-being of professionals and the growth of the industry.
Actors are often forced to stay on set beyond their scheduled hours, which has become a common complaint among professionals. According to the rules of the guild, shooting has to end by 10 PM, however, in reality, filming lasts till 1 to 2 AM.
"Controlling shooting schedules and ensuring that it ends at a reasonable time is crucial. We are aware that these incidents have caused disruption for the actors in the past, and we intend to treat this matter with utmost importance," shared Tariq.
YouTube dramas have also become a cause for concern among entertainment industry insiders. YouTube has become the preferred platform for many low-quality productions, and quite a few members of Actors' Equity stand firmly against it. They believe it reflects poorly on Bangladesh's entertainment sector. It has even pushed some to suggest establishing regulations.
Tariq responded to these complaints strategically.
"YouTube has opened the stage for all and it has exposed Bangladesh's content to a global audience," shared Tariq. "However, I believe the solution lies within the artistes themselves; they should remain focused on quality work. Cheap entertainment will not survive in the long run."
Challenges
Tariq's main challenge is the fact that the new committee has only been given a four-month window to implement these reforms.
This has sparked a debate in the industry: is four months really enough time to fix deep-rooted corruption and establish a new system? While opinions vary, the head of the reform committee has accepted the challenge, knowing full well the constraints they face.
"We're working on elevating the guild so that we meet the global standards of acting. I don't think it will be too difficult to achieve that goal," commented Tariq.
He continued, "The current elected committee only has four months left in its term, so we need to complete the reform process within that time."
Tariq believes that the very constitution the guild was built upon is the key to meeting his aims for change.
Yet, many remain sceptical about this, especially about the goal to uphold the rules of the guild. Members have frequently raised concerns about how the rules and responsibilities of leaders are often neglected and pushed aside. They have grown accustomed to seeing corruption seeping from the faulty system.
And despite all these concerns, Tariq still holds his head high, optimistic as ever.
"We will establish a system where everyone is committed to following the rules of the guild. Our primary focus is to protect the recognition, dignity, and respect of actors as professionals," he stated.
