West Bengal actress Madhumita Sarcar has hit back at rumours that she is walking away from her first Bangladeshi film, Gulshaner Chameli. The actress has dismissed the speculation, while director Mohammad Iqbal insists that filming will begin as planned, with her in the lead role.
The rumours spread across Facebook and other social media platforms from Friday night, prompting questions about Madhumita’s involvement in the project. Both the actress and the director have rejected the claims. Madhumita believes a group is deliberately circulating negative stories about her and the film.
Iqbal told Jago News that preparations were moving ahead according to schedule. He said the team would begin building the film’s set on the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) floor on 23 November. Madhumita is expected to arrive in Bangladesh on 28 November, followed by several days of rehearsals. The director plans to begin filming with her on 1 December.
“I know who has been saying these things, but I do not want to comment on anything right now. Work on the ‘Gulshaner Chameli’ set at the FDC floor will begin on the 23rd of this month. Madhumita will arrive in the country on the 28th. We will then rehearse for a few days. On 1 December, the first day of the final month of the year, we will start filming with Madhumita at the FDC floor,” Iqbal said.
The director said he was not particularly worried about the rumours. In fact, he believes the discussion has brought the film additional publicity.
“These comments have actually worked in my favour. The film has received publicity,” he said.
Madhumita has also expressed frustration over the speculation. Speaking to another media outlet, she said she did not want to respond to every rumour circulating online.
“Such rumours appear on Facebook every day. I do not want to comment on these things,” she said.
She also questioned why the matter had attracted so much attention when no one involved in the film had announced that she was leaving the project.
“No one associated with the film has made such an announcement, so why is there so much discussion about it?” she said.
The actress believes the rumours are part of a deliberate campaign against her. She recalled facing negative comments after attending the film’s muhurat ceremony in Dhaka, including claims that she had turned to Bangladeshi cinema because she was not getting work in Kolkata.
“Since I attended the film’s muhurat, some people have been making negative comments with a particular agenda. First, they said I was working in a Bangladeshi film because I could not find work in Kolkata. Now they are spreading another rumour,” she said.
“If they believe I am not doing the film, what can I do? Let them keep spreading that story. I will continue with my work. Responding to them would only give them importance,” she added.
The political thriller explores the abuse of power, politics and the darker side of elite society. Its central character is a sex worker who repeatedly becomes a victim of the ruthless power games around her despite committing no crime. Madhumita will play the central role.
The actress is a familiar face on West Bengal television. She became popular with audiences on both sides of the border through her portrayal of Pakhi in the serial Bojhena Se Bojhena. The character also earned her recognition in Bangladesh.
Madhumita has previously worked in Bangladesh, appearing opposite Mosharraf Karim in the 2016 television drama Meghbalika, directed by Parvez Amin. However, Gulshaner Chameli will mark her first Bangladeshi feature film.
Iqbal first announced Gulshaner Chameli nearly five years ago, but various setbacks prevented the production from moving forward. The team is now preparing to begin filming after the long delay.
The film will follow a screenplay by Abdullah Zahir Babu. Its cast is also expected to include Rozina, Azmeri Haque Badhon, Omar Sani, Amin Khan, Bapparaj and Misha Sawdagor.
