Nusraat Faria Thanks Supporters After Release from Jail

After being released from jail on bail, Dhallywood actress Nusraat Faria described her arrest as the “darkest period” of her life.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Faria, who portrayed ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina in the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman biopic “Mujib: The Making of a Nation”, opened up about the emotional rollercoaster she endured following her arrest, the court proceedings, and eventual release on bail.

“I’ve just gone through the most traumatic two days of my life,” she wrote. “I was mentally devastated. However, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to those who stood by me during this time.”

Faria was released from Kashimpur Central Women’s Jail in Gazipur on Tuesday, two days after her arrest in an attempted murder case linked to an incident during the July Uprising.

Her arrest became a hot topic on social media, with many claiming that it was linked to her role in "Mujib: The Making of a Nation". Some netizens said she was being “unjustly harassed” under the guise of a criminal case. Even some advisors from the interim government were seen weighing in on the matter.

Expressing gratitude to those who stood by her, Faria wrote: “From my colleagues to everyone in the industry, and the countless ordinary people who spoke out for me, for justice, and stood by my side, I will remember your support and love for the rest of my life. If it weren’t for you, I might not have been able to return to you so soon.”

She also extended special thanks to journalists. “I especially want to thank members of the media. Your support meant the world to me. I will always remember your kindness toward me.”

On May 18, Faria was stopped by Immigration Police at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport ahead of her flight to Thailand. She was later placed under arrest in the attempted murder case filed with Vatara Police Station.

An individual named Enamul Haque filed a complaint at Dhaka's Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s court, accusing 283 people, including actors Apu Biswas, Nipun Akhter, Ashna Habib Bhabna and Zayed Khan. The Vatara Police Station later recorded the complaint as a First Information Report (FIR) on Apr 29 on the court’s orders.

According to the case details, during the Anti-discrimination Student Movement protests on Jul 19 last year, protesters gathered in front of Vatara Police Station. There was gunfire during the demonstration and Enamul was shot in the leg. He later received treatment at a hospital.

However, during the hearing, Faria’s lawyer Farhan Mohammad Arav said that she was not in the country at the time of the alleged incident when the plaintiff was shot.