The country’s cultural scene seems to be passing through a long, silent pause. Whether it’s drama, film, music, or theater—there’s an unusual quietness everywhere. Once vibrant and full of creativity, the world of the arts now feels stagnant and dim in the country. Time itself seems to have stopped within these mediums. The regular rhythm of the cultural industry has been disrupted by the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, financial hardship, irregular patronage, and lack of planning. Each stage, studio, and shooting floor has turned into a symbol of silence. The question is: when will this silence end? When will life return to this long cultural stillness?

Silence on set and floor

Once a bustling and lively place, FDC now feels like an abandoned studio—quiet and empty. The voice calling “Take OK” is nowhere to be heard, nor are the laughter, chatter, or lively rush of a shoot. Employees are protesting after not getting paid. And shooting? It’s doubtful whether even a single shoot is happening in a day. There’s barely any news of new films either. Though the Eid release “Ali” hit theaters, it disappeared quietly. Audiences did return to cinema halls for a time, but their interest has faded again—an alarming sign for the industry.

Telefilms too lacks life and excitement

Eid once meant a celebration of telefilms. TV channels would compete with each other to showcase new plays. But this time, during Eid-ul-Azha, only 124 telefilms were aired—most of them re-runs. The drop in new productions is mainly due to a lack of sponsors, declining audience interest, and low online viewership. Directors say, “The costs don’t recover, so we’re not working.” As a result, the pace of this industry has come to a halt. Theaters gather dust, and auditoriums remain silent.

Even the stages of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy seem exhausted. Occasionally a few plays are staged, but mostly with government grants. Theater groups are no longer eager to bring new productions. The absence of strong leadership, a shortage of playwrights, and complications over venue allocations have all stalled the path of theater. For these reasons, many talented playwrights and actors are gradually moving away from the stage.

Stars on a break

Artists are slowly disappearing, not just from the screen but from public life as well. Jovan is on a break, Himi is in Canada, and Keya has returned to the country but hasn’t resumed shooting. Niloy is heading to the United States, while Shakib and Bubly are already there. Gradually, the casting list is thinning out, and even the most popular stars are fading into obscurity. This state of the artists is deeply concerning for the entertainment industry.

Searching for a new direction

So, will the light never return? Apurba, Nisho, Chanchal, Mehazabien—once the lifeblood of the screen—are now rarely seen. Many don’t have any work. Producers are counting the days, waiting for those busy times to return. Still, some theater groups are trying to bring new plays to the stage, and others are exploring digital platforms to reach audiences. In this uncertain time, artists are trying to gain new experiences and adapt to the changing mediums.

In hopes of a return

The cultural scene may come alive again. Life will return to the stage and the studio floor. And perhaps soon, we’ll once again see actors moving through those spaces.