Since the pandemic, National Film Award-winning actress Poppy has remained absent from cinemas and the media spotlight. In February this year, after a long hiatus, she reappeared in public to announce her marriage to shipping businessman Adnan Uddin Kamal, with whom she has a son, Ayat.
Last month, Poppy revealed plans to return to the industry as a producer. Before that, she said, her new film ‘Direct Attack’ would hit cinemas and that she intended to take part in its promotion. She also mentioned that she would gradually begin work on her own productions afterwards.
On Friday, Direct Attack was released across 28 cinemas nationwide, marking Poppy’s first theatrical release in nearly six years. Her last film, ‘The Director’, premiered back in 2019.
Written by Sadek Siddiki, Direct Attack tells the story of a woman who raises her voice against social injustice, corruption and crime. Poppy plays a courageous police officer who, after marrying a criminal, finds herself confronting harsh realities and forced into a life-altering decision.
Director Sadek Siddiki expressed disappointment over the actress’s absence from the film’s publicity campaign.
“I called Poppy several times. She assured me she would help, but in the end, she didn’t do anything. Still, I hold no resentment. It’s my film; I made it and invested in it. So the responsibility is mine,” he said.
When contacted by The TIMES of Bangladesh, Poppy’s husband Adnan Uddin Kamal answered her phone, explaining, “Our whole family is currently in Saudi Arabia performing Umrah. Poppy is not near her phone right now, but I’ll ask her to return your call.”
The director also complained that none of the cast members participated in promoting the film, neither in person nor online, resulting in Direct Attack being released with little public buzz.
Besides Poppy, the film stars Amin Khan, Shirin Shila and Mamnun Emon. The project marks Amin Khan’s return to the big screen after seven years, following his last appearance in Faraizi Andolon 1842 (2018).
Sadek Siddiki added, “Both male leads, Amin Khan and Emon, are currently in the US. Shirin Shila is in the country, but she hasn’t joined the promotions either. So, nothing much could be done. She’s alone here; there’s only so much one person can do.”
Asked why the cast hadn’t promoted the film through social media or video messages, Siddiki replied, “I don’t know why they aren’t doing that. All I know is, this is my film and I’m the one who has to see it through.”
