Hansal Mehta Tells What People In Bangladesh Are Feeling
Following a violent student uprising in Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country on Monday. Protests spanning over a month has plunged the country into political turmoil claiming over 300 lives, culminated in the military seizing control of the government and announcing the formation of an interim administration.
As news of chaos and turmoil from Bangladesh reaches other parts of the world, acclaimed director Hansal Mehta tells that he is receiving positive reactions from the people.
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“Here is a message I received from Bangladesh. Tells you what people are feeling there unlike what some bigoted people here want you to believe. “Good morning Sir, it feels like we’ve achieved liberation again in our country’s history. Now we must build a just and fair Bangladesh 2.0!”,” Filmmaker said on a post on X.
Here is a message I received from Bangladesh. Tells you what people are feeling there unlike what some bigoted people here want you to believe.
“Good morning Sir, it feels like we’ve achieved liberation again in our country’s history.
Now we must build a just and fair…
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) August 6, 2024
In an earlier post, posted while political turmoil was unfolding in Bangladesh, Director referred Sheikh Hasina “a highly authoritarian leader”. He recounted events encountered in connection with the release of his movie, Faraaz. The movie streaming worldwide on Netflix, except in Bangladesh where it has been banned.
“The release of ‘Faraaz’ based on the Holey Artisan Bakery, Dhaka attack of 2016 was sought to be stalled for nearly 18 months. I was visited at home by the otherwise very amiable Bangladesh High Commissioner of the time, I was constantly threatened and/or called by sources supposedly from the Indian ‘cabinet secretariat’ to tell me that the film would strain India’s relations with Bangladesh,” he said.
Seeing the events unfold in Bangladesh reminds me of the Faraaz release saga. It is streaming globally on Netflix except in Bangladesh where it has been banned.
The release of ‘Faraaz’ based on the Holey Artisan Bakery, Dhaka attack of 2016 was sought to be stalled for nearly… pic.twitter.com/dQIP9pF9P1
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) August 5, 2024
“I received multiple calls from high ranking police officials, alleged secret service agents, I have been accorded police protection for perceived threats from terror organisations, was put through lengthy litigation in Indian courts, was levelled rude allegations by many who said ‘this is not your story to tell’, am still battling bogus litigation in the Bangladesh courts…,” he added.
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Continuing further, Mehta criticised the Hasina government for covering up “their bloodied hands” by shutting their voice and their right to tell a story.
“This was a government that wanted nobody outside Bangladesh to know that they were simply inept and run by a highly authoritarian leader who was afraid of any criticism towards herself. They wanted to cover up their bloodied hands by shutting our voice and our right to tell a story that is a mirror to our times, a cautionary tale about our youth, a critique of authoritarian governments and majoritarian states,” Mehta wrote.
Faraaz, biographical action thriller features ensemble cast including Juhi Babbar, Aditya Rawal, Aamir Ali, Zahan Kapoor, Jatin Sarin, and Pallak Lalwani.
More than thousands of protestors attacked Sheikh Hasina’s official residence and other buildings associated with her party and family. Later on Monday, she landed at the Hindon Air Force station near Delhi. As per reports, she has requested asylum from the UK and her sister Rehana is accompanying her.
