Allegations, challenges heat up upcoming BFAA election

The drama surrounding the upcoming Bangladesh Film Artistes Association (BFAA) election continues to unfold. Veteran actress Sucharita has alleged that former president Ilias Kanchan and general secretary Nipun Akter have suspended her and actor Masum Parvez Rubel's BFAA membership.

Sucharita expressed her shock at the news, stating, "I cannot believe that my long-time co-star and friend Ilias Kanchan, along with junior Nipun, would cancel mine and actor Rubel's membership. I am feeling very emotional, and I cannot find the right words. I am sorry."

Nipun refuted the claims, stating her confusion over Sucharita's accusations. "I fail to understand what Sucharita apa is implying. Why would we revoke their membership? I have heard they are preparing to participate in the election as a panel. If we had revoked their membership, how could they compete in the election?"

Nipun also responded to Sucharita's remarks about her seniority, saying, "Sucharita apa has consistently labelled me as a 'junior actress,' a designation I find belittling. While it's a fact that I am her junior, there's no necessity to constantly underscore it whenever she mentions me! Neither I nor any of her other juniors have ever shown her disrespect."

She extended a challenge to Sucharita, suggesting that if she is dissatisfied with a junior like herself taking on roles within the BFAA, she should contemplate running for the general secretary position. "For the advancement of the film fraternity, she should consider taking on this responsibility herself. She possesses remarkable qualities and leadership skills, and if she emerges victorious in the election, I am more than willing to pass on my duties to her.”

With rumours swirling about Kanchan's decision to not run, speculation focused on Nipun’s struggle to form a strong panel for the upcoming election. Reports suggest she approached actors Sohel Rana, Ananta Jalil, Shakib Khan and Arshad Adnan, but Nipun denied these claims. And on Sunday evening, at a press conference held at the BFDC, the surprise was unveiled - veteran actor Mahmud Koli would be leading the panel as its president candidate.

Nipun, the general secretary candidate of the panel, acknowledged that Koli's candidacy was unexpected. "Many were surprised by Mahmud Koli's decision to run for president," she said.

"I wanted experienced people for this position. Those who have previously led the association should come forward. In that sense, Mahmud Koli is very experienced. He has served as president twice and general secretary twice before. It will be much easier for him to work from this position. We, the artists, are delighted to have him," she said.

The actress further elaborated, "Everyone talks about the golden age of cinema now. We want to bring back that golden age with Mahmud Koli."

Koli expressed his commitment to the cause. "I have worked here with everyone before. I will not act in films anymore. I am here only to work for the artists. I want to work for the welfare of the artists. Please stand by me, support me, elect me, and there are many good things waiting for the artists and for cinema."

Meanwhile, as the Koli-Nipun panel held their press conference in the association office, the Misha-Dipjol panel hosted a post-Iftar event at the BFDC canteen on Sunday evening.

From there, Misha Sawdagor, president candidate of the rival panel, took a dig at Nipun. "The committee's term has expired, yet they have turned the association office into a meeting room. This is not right since this committee’s term has ended. They cannot use the office. It's unfair,” he said.