Badiul Alam Khokon among three filmmakers expelled for life from Directors' Association

The Bangladesh Film Directors' Association has permanently expelled three filmmakers—Badiul Alam Khokon, Monjurul Islam Megh and Reazul Mowla Rezu—over allegations of activities that tarnished the image of the organisation.

The decision was unanimously approved at the association's Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Saturday (July 4).

Executive Committee member Gazi Mahbub confirmed the development, saying the trio had been handed lifetime expulsion for actions deemed detrimental to the association's reputation.

Badiul Alam Khokon is one of Bangladesh's best-known commercial film directors, having directed several popular films starring Shakib Khan, including Priya Amar Priya and Number One Shakib Khan. Meanwhile, Reazul Mowla Rezu earned national recognition for directing Bapjaner Bioscope, which won the National Film Award along with several other accolades.

According to multiple sources within the association, the decision is linked to a court case filed by Badiul Alam Khokon around a year ago seeking the cancellation of the association's election. The lawsuit reportedly named several officials, including the association's then-president, the late filmmaker Abdul Latif Bachchu, as defendants. A section of the association viewed the legal move as damaging to the organisation's reputation.

The sources further alleged that Monjurul Islam Megh and Reazul Mowla Rezu, both considered close associates of Khokon, had also engaged in anti-association campaigns and made defamatory remarks on social media.

The association said those allegations were taken into consideration before approving the lifetime expulsion.

However, no immediate reaction from Badiul Alam Khokon, Monjurul Islam Megh or Reazul Mowla Rezu was available following the announcement.