Shaon apologises on behalf of media industry

Popular Bangladeshi actor and media personality Meher Afroz Shaon apologised to the Bangladeshi audience on Tuesday (July 27). She posted the apology note on her verified Facebook profile on behalf of the country’s media industry in the wake of the recent controversy around the CMV produced Eid drama ‘Ghotona Shotto.’

The Eid drama, starring popular Bangladeshi actors Afran Nisho and Mehazabien Chowdhury, sparked outrage online as a scene during its ending claimed that specially-abled children are the ‘result of their parents’ sin.’

Shaon wrote that she deeply apologises on behalf of the media industry to all the specially-abled children and their parents for the insensitive drama ‘Ghotona Shotto’ released CMV and directed by Rubel Hasan.

“Far from being an artist, we probably couldn't be a decent human being by running after views and followers!”, she added.

Her kind words were praised by the netizens though she was not part of the team behind the controversial drama.

Different NGOs and specially-abled children’s parents have condemned the drama online since its release.

On Sunday, an NGO called Child Foundation released a press statement. The organisation’s chairman Tahrin Aman said in the statement that the false facts and story that is presented in front of the general public which hurt the families of people with special needs in the Eid drama ‘Ghotona Shotto’ is tragic and should be legally punishable.

On Monday, news broke that the organisation will file a police case against the creators and stars behind the show.

Previously, the drama’s director Rubel Hasan, lead cast Afran Nisho, Mehzabien Chowdhury and CMV founder SK Shahed Ali Pappu released a joint apology statement on July 25 but did not make any further comments to the press afterwards.

‘Ghotona Shotto’ released on July 24 sparked outrage online as its screenplay contained derogatory and false information about differently-abled children and was later removed from CMV’s official YouTube channel.