The cast and crew of upcoming Bangladeshi film Shikar have been stranded in Nepal amid devastating floods and landslides that have disrupted roads and air travel across the country.
Bangladeshi actress Apu Biswas, along with the film’s team, is currently in Nepal for the shooting of the upcoming movie.
She has reassured fans that everyone is safe and in good health despite the worsening situation.
In a social media post, Apu said many of her fans, journalists, relatives and well-wishers had been calling and messaging to check on the team’s safety following reports of the floods and landslides.
“Alhamdulillah, by the grace of Almighty Allah, the entire team of Shikar is in a safe place, and everyone is healthy and well,” she wrote.
According to reports, at least 162 people have died in the disaster, while hundreds of people, including tourists, workers and local residents, have reportedly been missing.
The floods and landslides have severely damaged roads and bridges, disrupting transportation in several areas.
The disaster has also left members of the film’s Indian cast in difficulty.
Popular Tollywood comedian Kharaj Mukherjee travelled to Nepal for the shooting with his wife, Pratibha Mukherjee.
Actor Rajatabha Dutta was also part of the shoot.
The team had been filming in the remote Rasuwa district, close to Nepal’s border with China, when heavy rainfall caused mountain rivers to swell.
Flash floods and landslides subsequently damaged roads and bridges, bringing the shooting to a halt.
Kharaj said he arrived in Nepal on 20 August for the Shikar shoot and was originally scheduled to return on 26 August.
However, the floods have disrupted both road and air travel.
“We have been stranded because of the rain. The flooding is severe. It is difficult to travel by road, and flights are also difficult to get,” he told the media.
Kharaj said he planned to travel to Gorakhpur before flying back to Kolkata on 28 August.
Rajatabha Dutta, meanwhile, had already completed his part of the shoot and returned before the situation worsened.
Apu, who is currently in Pokhara, has also been making arrangements to return to Bangladesh.
She said the highway connecting Pokhara and Kathmandu has been severely damaged, with repairs potentially taking weeks.
“Our vehicle has been arranged. We will travel to Kathmandu today. There is a lot of rush for flights. I will return to Dhaka from Kathmandu by flight tomorrow, Friday,” Apu said.
She also urged fans and well-wishers not to worry about her and asked them to pray for her safe return to Bangladesh and her child.
Shikar stars Apu Biswas in the lead, alongside the film’s other cast members. The production has been filming in Nepal as part of its schedule.
