Content creator Salman Mohammad Muqtadir’s Brownfish Studio in the capital’s ECB Chattar was attacked, vandalised and looted. He claimed that local BNP activists had demanded extortion money from him, and when he refused, the attack was carried out on Saturday night.
After receiving news, he visited the studio and went live on Facebook to show the damage.
Salman said, “Today is our last Brownfish Studio trip or tour. Just a while ago there was an attack here. And this attack has a bit of a funny story. I’m not saying why I’m smiling. In this attack our full studio has been destroyed, so please watch this. And this video is made very specially for our Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. Please don’t take any tension, this is normal in Bangladesh. That’s why I’m smiling.”
“Let’s move to this side a little, I’ll show the background here. There was no studio like this in Bangladesh. So in Bangladesh’s arts, culture and entertainment industry this was the only one. Even FDC doesn’t have this. What was created here has been destroyed.
‘There may be questions about why I’m so calm, why I’m not breaking down. This video is very important for those youngsters who want to do something new, or those who are at an age to start something new in life. There is a very big lesson in this video for them.’”
‘This is what happens if you refuse extortion’
He said, “Bangladesh is such a country that if you want to do something, and while doing it you don’t flatter anyone, you have no backup, you don’t follow any party, and you can’t buy security with money — this is what happens to you. So when I always say that if the ground beneath your feet isn’t firm, you shouldn’t try to do anything in Bangladesh, I strongly discourage it. Because my ground is firm, I can smile, make this video and say goodbye today.”
“Most of you, if this happened to you, you wouldn’t be able to handle it. Trust me, I’m speaking so composed because I’m strong enough. Most people are not this strong.”
Showing the ruins to his viewers, Salman said, “Let me show you — over the past 12 years or more, decades of dreams, I came from a small room to this, the biggest studio in Bangladesh. This is the end result. In Bangladesh, if you dream and don’t include others in your dream, this is what happens to you.
“As you can see, luckily our boys and girls — their phones were taken away, but they are safe, Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah. No one was harmed.”
“Everything smashed and broken. There is nothing left,” he said adding “I have never felt stronger than this. I feel the strongest right now.”
“My dream since childhood was something I fulfilled and launched. People loved it. So if you can break this — whoever broke this, the BNP people who did this — why your extortion? Like, take away my dream? Your extortion is what keeps you poor and miserable. Because you cannot dream. No matter how much you steal or extort, you will never become greater than this. This is your level.”
‘We will rebuild bigger than this’
“This is our office. Young boys and girls worked here, delivered, kept time commitments. From here they handled all the client marketing work.
Consoling his staff Iftekhar, Salman said, he is one of his talented and loyal members. “Bro, bro, bro, relax. I’m not crying, the kids are crying. Look at the extent. Dude, it’s okay…. I’ll start work tomorrow. You are working with me. So relax. This is okay, bro.”
He continued, “You all are getting too emotional. Relax. Nothing happened. Nothing happened to you all. I keep trying to explain. You don’t know Salman Muqtadir. I will do something bigger than this. You are going to be with me. You are going to work. You are working with me. So we are going to make something bigger than this. Just relax. Don’t cry.
“What can I say, kids? You have to be strong. This is what I’ve always done — creativity worked from here. This was my office, the office where I spent the most money…. My biggest gain through this project is that I’ve made brothers and sisters. And that’s it.”
So, to those who want to stay in Bangladesh — if you have dreams, if you are in arts, in culture, if you want to do something — this is what happens here. I thought I’d play games with them. I couldn’t even play one game on the new TV. The TV is gone. They didn’t take it, they smashed it. That’s Bangladesh’s culture, right?”
‘This is Bangladesh — compromise or move on’
“Every day, when each brick was laid here, she came herself and supervised for hours. Without her, this wouldn’t have been built so beautifully and on time. There are many others too who are not present now.
But all I’m trying to say, once again, please — our Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed — don’t take any tension about this. This video is not for you. This video is for the people of Bangladesh.”
Addressing his supporters, he said, “If you want to stay in Bangladesh, please flatter and support extortion a little, so that this kind of story doesn’t happen to you. Unfortunately, I cannot support this culture of Bangladesh. Two truckloads of people came — with them I can never compromise. It’s not possible for me. I will not do it. But what is possible for me is to continue and move forward.”
“However, 99.9% of Bangladeshi people will remain trapped in this. That’s why I always say — I have strength, I have power, I have wisdom, I have courage. I will get through anytime.
If you guys do not take the right decision at the right time in Bangladesh — once again I’m saying, this is Bangladesh. I am not for this Bangladesh. So if you want to stay in Bangladesh, and you cannot be like me, it’s time to move.”
At the end, he made a sarcastic remark directed at the home minister. He said, “And Salahuddin Ahmed, great job. I love your work. Thank you so much. BNP is doing a great job.”
