Ilias Kanchan: I said no to Pori Moni’s membership suspension

Following the arrest of popular actor Pori Moni in a drug case, Bangladesh Film Artistes‘ Association (BFAA) suspended her membership and called her inclusion in the body “embarrassing.”

“Pori Moni has damaged the image of the film artists and it is embarrassing for us. We can’t allow that,” said the President of BFAA, Misha Sawdagar.

In recent days, the body’s decision has been widely criticized by fellow artistes and social media users, who have accused the members of the association of abandoning a colleague in need.

In response, the association insisted that the decision was taken unanimously and only after further consultations with senior actors such as Sohel Rana, Alamgir, Ilias Kanchan and others.

However, according to reports, the 64-year-old veteran actor, Ilias Kanchan, said that he advised against the suspension of Pori Moni’s membership which went unheeded.

The National Film Award-winning actor said, “When they asked me, I unequivocally told them not to take such measures against a fellow artist. They justified their decision by calling it temporary. But I even advised against that. In my opinion, you cannot punish someone like that without knowing exactly what wrong the person has committed.”

“The association decided to go ahead with the suspension even before she has been convicted of anything. My advice received little attention,” said the road safety activist.

Police escort Dhallywood actor Pori Moni to a court in Dhaka after her 3rd round remand, on Saturday, August 21, 2021| Focus Bangla

A Dhaka court on Saturday sent Dhallywood star Pori Moni to jail after rejecting her bail petition in a case filed under the Narcotics Control Act.

Metropolitan Magistrate Ashek Imam passed the order after CID Inspector Kazi Golam Mostafa, also the case investigation officer, produced her before the court on completion of her remand.

On August 13, Pori Moni and her aide Ashraful Islam Dipu were brought to the court after a two-day remand in the case filed against them at Banani police station