Mehazabien Apologizes After Poster Controversy at TSC

While promoting the film, Mehazabien and her team placed posters on various walls of TSC, one of which inadvertently covered the graffiti of Sohagi Jahan Tonu, a victim of a high-profile gang rape and murder case that shocked the nation in 2016. Tonu, a student of Cumilla Victoria College, became a symbol of the fight for justice after her tragic death. The graffiti, a tribute to her, is deeply revered by many, and the placement of a movie poster over it sparked immediate backlash from netizens.

A viral video showing Mehazabien putting up the posters over Tonu's graffiti, along with other significant political symbols, quickly gained traction on social media. Many questioned how a public figure like Mehazabien could promote her film in such a disrespectful manner. Rifat Rashid, a coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, expressed outrage, writing on Facebook: “Mehazabien doesn’t know my martyred sister Tonu? How dare you place your poster over the graffiti? You will come and tear down this poster yourself.”

In response to the growing criticism, Mehazabien immediately visited TSC and personally removed the offending poster. She also issued an apology via her verified Facebook account that evening, explaining the situation. She wrote, “Our team went to TSC today (December 18) for the promotion of Priyo Maloti. Due to the heavy rush, the campaign had to conclude quickly, and a poster was mistakenly placed over the graffiti of the late Sohagi Jahan Tonu. We are all aware of Tonu's tragedy, and her fight for justice is ongoing."

She continued, “The poster placement was an unintentional mistake. We removed it immediately and observed a minute's silence in remembrance. I hope you can forgive our unintentional mismanagement.”

Despite the apology, the incident has sparked widespread debate. Many netizens suspect that the controversy was a calculated marketing tactic to generate attention ahead of the film’s release. Critics argue that the incident, while seemingly accidental, may have been strategically orchestrated to gain publicity.

Priyo Maloti, directed by Shankha Dasgupta, marks Mehazabien’s transition from television to film. The movie tells the story of Maloti Rani Das, a lower-middle-class woman facing various social struggles. The film, which also stars Mehazabien in the title role, has already garnered international attention and will be released on December 20. It has earned a ‘U’ rating from the Certification Board, making it suitable for all ages. Produced by Frame Per Second in collaboration with Chorki, it also marks Dasgupta's debut as a feature film director.