Extras in Celluloid and Reality

This book aims at exploring the challenges faced by the junior artists of Bangladesh Film Industry. The study attempts to portray the representation of the junior artists in celluloid by the content analysis of three mainstream Bangladeshi films. Drawing on a feminist methodological framework, the study also highlights their low social position, economic uncertainty and age-status identity discourse. The study reveals that they are considered as “Extra” not only in films but also in every sphere of their socio-political and cultural life. Like celluloid, they are packaged in objectification in reality also. This study exhibits that film industry in Bangladesh is constructed under strong influence of patriarchal ideology as well as the typical class and gender relations. Commercial films typically target the lower and lower middle class audience. The study uncovers the bitter reality that cut-pieces acted by junior artists have been added as a “short-cut and cheapest entertainment package” to attract these target audience to meet their sexual pervasiveness. The study finally concludes that there are hardly any differences in their lives in celluloid and reality.