Azmeri Haque Badhon expresses regret on returning home, ‘My team has also abandoned me’

Azmeri Haque Badhon has expressed deep regret after returning home, saying her own film team has also abandoned her following an attack in Italy. The actress was assaulted in Mestre city while attending the 83rd Venice International Film Festival for the screening of ‘The Difficult Bride’, directed by Rubaiyat Hossain.

After the unexpected incident, the actress returned to the country on Monday morning. Upon her return, Badhon stated that the members of her film team present there had practically disowned her because of the attack.

Speaking about the support she received after the assault, Badhon said, “The director of the Venice Film Festival, the Italian government, our government and the Bangladesh embassy in Italy supported and helped me.” Expressing regret over the lack of cooperation from her colleagues, she added, “But my team has ‘disowned’ me. They forbade me from participating with them during the remaining days of the festival. Even though there was a plan to go to the Toronto Film Festival later, they have barred me from that as well. However, among my co-actors, Sunerah, Jaynin and Jaynin’s mother helped me a lot.”

Referring to the security provided at the state and international levels after the attack, the actress said, “I want to express my gratitude to the Bangladesh government, the prime minister and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Government offices contacted me on the very night of the incident. The Bangladesh ambassador in Italy was extremely supportive. The Italian government, the cultural minister there, the under secretary and the police department provided 24-hour protection every day. In addition, the director of the Venice Film Festival arranged my stay in Lido itself for security reasons.”

Recalling the support from people across the country, Badhon said, “Alhamdulillah, whatever Allah does is for the good. I will never forget the support given by the people of the country, leaders and activists of both opposition and ruling parties irrespective of political ideology, and expatriate Bengalis. I thank all those who waited for me in this heat after so much hardship.”

Badhon alleged that she was physically assaulted in Mestre city last Tuesday after being labelled a ‘July terrorist’, and a video of the incident later spread on social media. The actress filed a case in Italy on September 8. The matter was also discussed in the national parliament, where State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir described the attack as an assault on the democratic system.