Supreme Court lawyer Mahmudul Hasan Mamun, who last week served a legal notice seeking restrictions on love-themed films and dramas, appears to have himself watched and enjoyed a number of romantic films and songs, according to posts and activity on his verified Facebook profile.

The profile activity indicates that Mamun watched several films in recent months, including the 2022 Indian period romantic drama Radhe Shyam, the 2007 American romantic fantasy adventure Stardust, the 2010 romantic thriller The Tourist, starring Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp.

His viewing activity also includes Saaho, 2019 Indian action thriller, and The Adam Project, a 2022 American science-fiction action comedy.

His Facebook activity also indicates an interest in romantic songs, including ‘Mere Mehboob Mere Sanam’ from the Hindi drama-comedy film Bad Newz, which features Vicky Kaushal, Triptii Dimri and Ammy Virk in a love triangle.

The apparent contrast between his online viewing activity and his recent legal demand has drawn attention as seven organisations representing television drama professionals protested against the notice on Friday.

In the legal notice sent to the Cabinet Secretary, the secretaries of the information and broadcasting and cultural affairs ministries, and the chairman of the Bangladesh Film Certification Board, Mamun called for restrictions on love-themed films and dramas, arguing that such measures were necessary to prevent the moral degradation of young people and preserve family values.

The notice also called for mandatory directives requiring the production and broadcasting of films and dramas based on science, education, history, the Liberation War and defence.

It alleged that excessive romantic content normalised and glorified extramarital relationships and contributed to cultural imbalance. It further claimed that such content was associated with young people becoming less attentive to their studies and careers and with an increase in crimes including rape.

Citing Articles 21(1), 23 and 39 of the Constitution, the notice demanded action within 10 days and warned that a public-interest writ petition would otherwise be filed with the High Court under Article 102.

The seven organisations, in a joint statement sent to the media on Friday, said the demand to completely stop the production of romantic dramas and films was incompatible with the development of creative arts.

Mamun had also served a legal notice in August seeking the abolition of what he described as the ‘ornamental position’ of the president and the introduction of a presidential system of government to prevent the wastage of public money.

In another legal notice, he sought a ban on travel by Bangladeshi citizens to West Bengal and Tripura in India until their security was ensured.

Mamun could not be reached for comment despite several attempts.