Actress Azmeri Haque Badhan has opened up about her difficult experience after being assaulted in Venice, Italy, and expressed gratitude to those who stood by her during the ordeal.
In a Facebook post on Thursday night, 10 September, Badhan wrote, “When life puts you through difficult times, always remember that something beautiful may be waiting for you on the other side.”
Reflecting on her experience, the Rehana Maryam Noor actress described it as a long and difficult journey marked by humiliation, harassment, physical assault and even a sense of abandonment by people close to her.
However, she said she had learned a profound truth: sometimes the greatest support comes from the most unexpected places.
Badhan thanked the governments of Bangladesh and Italy, the Bangladesh Embassy in Italy, Italian police and the festival authorities for standing by her during the difficult time.
“When I needed cooperation and support the most, you stood by me,” she said.
She added that when some people close to her had distanced themselves, these institutions and individuals became important sources of strength and protection.
Badhan also expressed her heartfelt gratitude to everyone who stood by her, checked on her, prayed for her or offered a kind word.
“I love you all,” she wrote.
Badhan travelled to Italy to attend the screening of Rubaiyat Hossain’s The Difficult Bride at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.
She alleged that on the night of 7 September, some supporters and activists of the banned Awami League attacked and physically assaulted her while she was visiting a local park with her brother and his family.
Following the incident, the Bangladesh Embassy and local authorities supported her. Many people at home and abroad also protested the incident and expressed solidarity with the actress.
