IT SEEMS that the entertainment arena has been thrown into turmoil once again — though this time, it’s not due to a blockbuster film or a controversial drama. Instead, the source of this noise is a simple, unassuming WhatsApp group. But don’t be fooled by its innocent name, ‘Alo Asbei’ (which one might think means ‘Light Will Come’), because this group has brought anything but light. Instead, it’s shining a blinding spotlight on the murky, self-serving world of some of our beloved (or not so beloved) entertainers and political allies.
In an era where private conversations have an unfortunate tendency to become very public, we should not be surprised. But alas, here we are — shocked, scandalized, and a tad entertained by the revelations that have come out of this once-secret digital clubhouse. Let’s start with the cast of characters. It reads like a who’s who of Dhaka’s entertainment and political scene, mixed with a few journalists for good measure. We are talking about stars who dazzled us on screen, politicians who have… well, let’s just say they’ve kept themselves busy, and journalists who have certainly kept their pens (or thumbs) moving.
Among the luminaries in this illustrious group are actors like Ferdous Ahmed, Aruna Biswas, and Suborna Mustafa — figures who, up until now, we might have associated with heartwarming movies, dramas or stirring speeches. Now, however, we might start associating them with something else entirely. But the real stars of this show, it seems, are not their performances on TV or silver screen, but their performances in the chatroom. Who knew they had such a flair for drama, intrigue, and... how shall we put it? Creative expression? Yes, that’s the polite way to say it.
The leaked WhatsApp messages paint a rather unflattering portrait of our entertainment and political elite. If you’ve ever wondered what some of these folks talk about when they’re not in front of the camera or at a press conference, you’re in for a treat or a shock, depending on your threshold for disillusionment. Imagine, if you will, a group of well-known figures huddled together (virtually, of course), plotting not the next big blockbuster but rather how to undermine a student-led movement. A movement, mind you, that started as a call for job quota reform but grew into something much bigger — a full-scale revolt against the Awami League government and its leader, Sheikh Hasina.
But why should we be surprised? After all, isn’t it only natural for those who have enjoyed the fruits of a political alliance to feel a bit defensive when those fruits are threatened? It’s just good business to protect your interests, right? And if that means concocting schemes and throwing shade at those pesky students and their supporters, so be it!
Now, let’s talk about some of the more ‘colourful’ conversations that have emerged from this digital treasure trove. One particularly spicy tidbit comes courtesy of actress and former Censor Board member Aruna Biswas. In a moment of what we can only assume was pure passion, she reportedly suggested pouring hot water on the protesters. Of course, she later clarified that she meant the ‘vandals,’ not the students. Because, as we all know, vandalism is best dealt with through boiling water. It’s in all the best law enforcement manuals.
Then there are the remarks directed at Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, a director who has been a vocal supporter of the student movement. It seems that some of the group members were none too pleased with Farooki’s stance, and they made sure to let their feelings be known. After all, why let someone stand up for what they believe in when you can just tear them down in a group chat? But it wasn’t just Farooki who found himself in the crosshairs. Several other artists who had the audacity to support the students were also targeted. In a twist of irony that one could only find in real life, these messages were leaked to the very public these entertainers and politicians were so keen to influence.
The reaction from netizens and industry professionals has been, as you might expect, one of shock, outrage, and a good deal of schadenfreude. How delicious it is to watch those who have long presented themselves as paragons of virtue and champions of the arts get caught with their proverbial pants down. The leaked screenshots have ignited a firestorm on social media, with everyone from your average Facebook friend to seasoned journalists weighing in on the scandal. Some have expressed disappointment, others outright disgust, and a few have even questioned the moral fibre of the entire entertainment industry.
But let us be honest here. Are we really that surprised? After all, the lines between entertainment and politics in this country have always been a bit blurry. We’ve long seen actors and musicians cozy up to political figures, and we’ve watched as politicians tried their hand at showbiz. It is a tale as old as time — or at least as old as our post-independence history.
So, what happens now? Well, the members of ‘Alo ’ have a few options. They could issue public apologies, though that seems unlikely given the comments we’ve seen so far. Or they could double down and claim they were misinterpreted, much like Aruna Biswas did. It’s always a safe bet to blame the media or claim that your words were taken out of context. But perhaps the most likely outcome is that, after a brief period of outrage, things will go back to normal. The entertainment industry will move on to the next scandal, the politicians will find new ways to stay ‘relevant’, and the journalists will keep doing what they do best — reporting on it all. And as for the rest of us? We’ll keep watching, because who doesn’t love a good scandal? especially one that pulls back the curtain on the people we thought we knew. It’s a reminder that behind every public persona, there’s a private one that might not be quite so polished.
Ìý
HM Nazmul Alam is a lecturer in English and Modern Languages, International University of Business, Agriculture and Technology.