What began as a triumphant Venice appearance for Azmeri Haque Badhan has ended in a bitter fallout with her film team. After returning to Bangladesh on Monday, the actress alleged that the team “disowned” her following an alleged assault in Italy. A source close to the team, however, said safety and security concerns led to the decision to distance her amid tensions within the group.
Badhan attended the 83rd Venice International Film Festival for the screening of Rubaiyat Hossain’s The Difficult Bride. She alleged that expatriate Awami League supporters, whose activities have been banned in Bangladesh, harassed and physically assaulted her in Mestre.
Speaking after her return, Badhan said she received support from the Venice Film Festival authorities, the Italian and Bangladesh governments, and the Bangladesh Embassy in Italy.
“But my team disowned me,” she said.
Badhan alleged that the team stopped her from joining them for the rest of the festival and attending the Toronto International Film Festival. A source close to the team, speaking on condition of anonymity, offered a different account.
According to the source, Badhan mentioned during a live session that Rubaiyat’s father was a former Awami League minister. Rubaiyat had already faced backlash and threats from Awami League supporters over casting a July uprising fighter in The Difficult Bride, as well as criticism linked to her father’s identity.
The source claimed Rubaiyat felt hurt by the remarks and believed there was no need to mention her father. It said linking her achievements to politics or her father diminished recognition of her own talent and hard work. The strained relationship also contributed to Rubaiyat keeping her distance from Badhan after the Venice incident, the source said.
The source said TIFF had invited only three members from each film team: the producer, director and lead protagonist. Badhan was therefore not originally part of the delegation. Rubaiyat had planned to take her at her own expense but later decided against it. French producer François d’Artemare made the final decision for the team’s security and safety, according to the source.
TIMES of Bangladesh reached out to Rubaiyat for comment. She said, “Let her say whatever she wants. I don’t want to engage in any controversy. I don’t want to comment regarding this.”
Meanwhile, Badhan said co-stars Sunerah, Zaineen and Zaineen’s mother supported her. She thanked the Bangladesh government, the prime minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassy for their support.
“Government officials contacted me on the very night of the incident. The ambassador of Bangladesh in Italy was extremely supportive,” she said.
Badhan said the Italian government, its cultural ministry, an undersecretary and police provided round-the-clock protection. The Venice Film Festival director also arranged accommodation for her at the Lido for security reasons.
Before returning home, Badhan wrote on Facebook that she had “a lot to say” and wanted the truth known.
“Bangladesh deserves to know the reality: what my own team did to me, what has been happening continuously, what the government did, and what the embassy did,” she wrote. “I will speak about everything. I have nothing to hide,” she added.
She ended by reaffirming her connection to Bangladesh: “I love my country—not from abroad, but from within it. I am in my country, and I will remain connected to my country, always.”
