Allegations of professional harassment, intimidation, and obstruction of work opportunities through media syndication have been raised against Redoan Rony, CEO of the OTT platform Chorki and a prominent producer.
Independent filmmaker Shoubho Rahman Rony, who previously worked as Redoan Rony’s assistant, recently submitted a memorandum to the Meherpur District Administrator detailing these claims.
Shoubho Rahman, who has worked as an independent filmmaker and content creator for nearly 15 years, alleges that he has faced personal hostility from Redoan Rony since 2011, when he served as his assistant. He further claims that Redoan, now in a key position at Chorki, has been using his influence to exclude him from various projects.
In the memorandum, Shoubho states, “First, I want to clarify that I have no personal dispute with Prothom Alo or the Chorki organisation. My main issue began in 2011 when I worked as Redoan Rony’s assistant. Since then, he has harbored a clear personal grudge against me. Now, leveraging his position at Chorki, he is influencing the organisation and its associates to provoke and isolate me, depriving me of professional opportunities.”
Shoubho recounts a recent incident where he visited Chorki’s office with his father and school friend Kazi Mahmudul Hasan Shubho to resolve past misunderstandings. Despite being invited by Redoan himself, upon arrival, he claims they were subjected to abrupt behavioral changes, nearly three hours of psychological pressure, offensive remarks, and threats of false legal cases.
Shoubho further alleges in the memorandum that “For 15 years, Redwan Rony has masked himself in the guise of the Liberation War and progressive ideals, wearing Mujib coats while navigating government, private, and even Indian (Kolkata) media circles. But before August 5, his demeanor shifted. The reality is that Redoan Rony, an opportunist, has shed his old skin – changing stances as needed. Holding an independent filmmaker’s career hostage through influential syndication isn’t a personal feud; it’s an example of individual-based media syndication.”
Shoubho has made three key demands to the District Administrator: An impartial investigation, restoration of his professional dignity and work opportunities, and policy-based action against media syndicates. He states that while he has first submitted a memorandum, he may pursue legal action after holding a press conference and a Facebook Live session to detail his grievances.