Dhallywood actress Apu Biswas and the team of her upcoming film Shikar narrowly avoided a major disaster in Nepal after severe natural calamities and landslides struck areas along their planned travel route.
The team later suspended its shooting schedule in Nepal and returned safely to Dhaka, citing both the situation and humanitarian concerns.
Speaking to the media after returning to Bangladesh on Friday, 28 August, Apu described the frightening experience and said a major natural disaster hit a mountainous area around two to three hours from Kathmandu on 26 August.
The Shikar team had planned to travel through the same route the following day. A change in schedule, however, kept them away from the disaster zone.
“The disaster occurred very close to the route we were supposed to take to enter Kathmandu. By the grace of Allah, we were scheduled to travel on the 27th, not the 26th. However, the disaster was so severe that the road has been completely closed to traffic for the next 15 to 20 days,” Apu said.
She said the team decided not to continue filming after witnessing the scale of the devastation and suffering faced by local residents.
“In such a devastating situation, shooting a song while people are suffering would seem extremely insensitive. So, after discussing the matter with the entire team, I decided to suspend the shoot, and we all returned home safely,” she added.
Apu also said reports had suggested that authorities received warnings about the 26 August disaster months earlier. She added that there were indications of another similar disaster within the week.
“You may know that the disaster that occurred on August 26 had reportedly been warned about nine months ago, but perhaps it was not taken very seriously. And they are now receiving indications that another disaster of a similar nature could occur within this week,” she said.
According to reports, tourists from around 27 countries were staying in the affected area. Flooding and landslides worsened conditions, prompting the local administration to advise foreign visitors to return safely to their respective countries.
Responding to concerns from fans and journalists, Apu thanked everyone who reached out to check on her.
“There is no reason to be upset. Not just my fans, but all of you as well! The way you checked on me that day made me realise that I have truly been able to connect with you through my work, and I saw how concerned you were. So, I am very grateful to my fans and to all of you, my journalist brothers and sisters, for your concern,” she said.
