The Ashiyan controversy took another dramatic turn after photographs showing model and actress Snigdha Chowdhury with Ashiyan Group Chairman Mohammad Nazrul Islam Bhuiyan surfaced online and quickly went viral, fuelling fresh speculation even as model Zeba Takia broke her silence over being dragged into the controversy.
Some of the photographs also feature Snigdha’s mother. Their circulation sparked intense debate on social media, with many questioning the timing and circumstances in which they were taken. While some users claimed the images pointed to a cordial relationship between Snigdha and Nazrul before the dispute erupted, Snigdha dismissed the speculation.
Speaking to TIMES of Bangladesh, she confirmed the photographs were genuine and said they were taken when she visited Nazrul with her mother to finalise a brand ambassador agreement.
“When I went to meet Nazrul regarding the brand ambassador project, he requested to take a photo. How could I refuse such a request? So I took the photo with him along with my mother,” Snigdha told TIMES.
As the viral photographs continued to dominate discussion, Zeba Takia issued an audio statement after her name surfaced in Snigdha’s allegations against Nazrul.
Zeba claimed she was once invited to an office in Gulshan-2 with the promise of a Tk50,000 television commercial for Ashiyan City Hospital. However, instead of discussing the project, she alleged she was asked to quit modelling in exchange for having all her expenses covered. She said she rejected the proposal, left immediately and later blocked the individual’s phone number after receiving repeated calls.
Responding to Snigdha’s allegations, Zeba said she no longer has any contact with the actress and does not personally know Snigdha’s former boyfriend. She said she had only heard their relationship ended badly and questioned why her own name was repeatedly being dragged into the controversy.
Zeba also referred to Asif and Sakib Sonet, describing Asif as an elder brother figure and saying Sonet had praised her as polite, well-mannered and disciplined. She believes those remarks may have contributed to Snigdha developing a negative impression of her.
She also challenged Snigdha’s reported claim that she does not accept projects worth less than Tk20 lakh. According to Zeba, such fees may be justified for established stars such as Apu Biswas, Pori Moni and Jaya Ahsan, but not for someone with only one film and limited recognition as a model.
Zeba also rejected suggestions that she resembles Snigdha and said she had never visited the hospital at the centre of the allegations. Describing herself as a well-known top model, she said her name is frequently dragged into controversies involving other models despite having no connection to them.
Actor Nazim Joy has voiced his support for model and actress Snigdha Chowdhury’s demand for justice while also criticising some of her remarks amid the ongoing controversy.
In a Facebook post from his verified page, Nazim wrote that Snigdha should receive justice but warned that some of her statements could create further trouble for her.
Reacting to her reported comment about her car not being allowed to enter Mirpur, he said the remark hurt many residents of the area, adding that Mirpur is his father’s home.
He said many wealthy people in Mirpur could easily buy such a car and criticised the act of trying to elevate oneself by belittling others.
“Did you have no mistakes of your own? Justice is never one-sided,” he wrote, while expressing hope that Snigdha would still receive justice.
