Former popular film actress Sadika Parvin Popy has been at the centre of discussion and criticism in the entertainment industry and on social media over a recent controversy surrounding one of her remarks.
The controversy began after an online news portal recently published part of an interview Popy gave last year in the form of a photo card.
The quote read, “I want to wash away all the sins I have earned and die peacefully. For the rest of my life, I want to devote myself to the name of Allah.”
The remark quickly sparked debate online, with many interpreting it as Popy referring to her career in films as a “sin”.
Some of her former colleagues also criticised the actress over the comment.
Popy, a National Film Award-winning actress, later said her words had been taken out of context and misunderstood.
Speaking to the media, she said, “Film is my profession and my second family.
I have earned my living from this industry and supported my family. Why would I call film a sin?”
Several figures from the film industry have since shared their views on the controversy. Popular actor Omar Sani also weighed in on the matter.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday (September 1), Sani said Popy’s statement should not be presented in that manner if she had indeed said it.
“Popy’s words, as they are being presented, are not right if she said them that way. Religion and profession are two separate things. Work can be halal; religion is a different matter altogether,” he wrote.
Sani also argued that people working in the film industry should not be viewed as morally inferior to those involved in drug trafficking, illegal activities involving women or other unlawful means of earning money.
Reflecting on Popy’s reported desire to visit the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, Sani said such a journey is possible only with Allah’s command or invitation.
He added a light-hearted remark in his characteristic style: “If you understand, you understand; if you don’t, it’s all the same.”
At the end of his post, Sani referred to Popy as someone who is still young in his eyes and wished her well.
“Stay well, Popy,” he wrote.
