Bangladeshi actress Azmeri Haque Badhon has reported being physically harassed and attacked while in Italy to attend the Venice International Film Festival, saying the incident will not intimidate her or force her into silence.
According to Badhon, she was attacked while visiting a local park in Mestre with her brother and his family on Monday night. She said a group of Bangladeshi individuals confronted her, threw water, soft drinks and eggs at her, pushed and physically assaulted her, and knocked her mobile phone from her hand.
The actress also said she sustained an injury near her ear during the confrontation. Her brother’s wife was allegedly pushed as well, while the family’s young child was present during the incident.
Following the confrontation, Badhon reported the matter to local police. She later went live on her verified Facebook page to describe what happened and shared several videos that appeared to show a group of people confronting her and engaging in a physical altercation.
Badhon alleged that the incident was connected to her participation in Bangladesh’s July–August 2024 student-led mass movement. She said some of those confronting her identified themselves as supporters of the Awami League and its student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League, both of which are described in the source report as banned organisations. She also alleged that some of the individuals identified themselves as supporters of Bangabandhu.
The actress said she was pressured to say “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu” and that those involved attempted to record the confrontation and broadcast it on social media.
Videos released after the incident show several people approaching Badhon in an aggressive manner, with some appearing to engage in a physical struggle with her. In parts of the footage, individuals can reportedly be heard referring to her as a “July militant” and confronting her over her political position.
Speaking during her Facebook live, Badhon said she had simply gone to the park with her brother’s family when the confrontation began. She described being drenched after water and soft drinks were thrown at her and said the incident escalated into physical harassment.
She also alleged that she was struck near her ear and that her phone was knocked out of her hand. According to her account, the confrontation continued even while her brother’s young child was present.
One of the videos reportedly captures an attempt to stop the confrontation by referring to the presence of the child. The exchange, however, continued, with political slogans and accusations directed at Badhon.
Rather than backing down, Badhon used the incident to reaffirm her position regarding the 2024 movement. She acknowledged that she had actively participated in the protests and had spoken in support of the movement in both Bangladeshi and international media.
“I participated in the July movement,” she said in her video message, making clear that she did not intend to distance herself from her earlier position because of the confrontation.
Badhon also strongly rejected any suggestion that intimidation could silence her. Addressing those who confronted her, she said that silencing her would not be easy and criticised their behaviour as an attempt to intimidate her and undermine her position.
The incident has occurred at a particularly significant moment in Badhon’s international career. She is currently in Italy as part of the team behind Rubaiyat Hossain’s The Difficult Bride, which has been selected for the Orizzonti section of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival.
The film had its world premiere on September 6 at the Sala Darsena theatre, marking a historic moment for Bangladeshi cinema. It is the first Bangladeshi film to be presented at the Venice International Film Festival, placing the country’s filmmakers and performers on one of the world’s most prestigious cinematic platforms.
Badhon is one of the four principal female performers in the film, alongside Zainin Karim, Rikita Nandini Shimu and Sunerah Binte Kamal. Her participation at Venice has consequently drawn considerable attention to both her international acting career and the wider representation of Bangladeshi cinema on the global stage.
In her video message following the attack, Badhon also referred to Sajeeb Wazed Joy, saying she had learned that he was in Venice and expressing her intention to make him aware of what had happened.
The incident has added a deeply political dimension to what should otherwise have been a major professional moment for the actress. Instead of simply celebrating the international premiere of a Bangladeshi film, Badhon found herself at the centre of a confrontation involving political accusations, alleged physical harassment and threats of public humiliation.
Yet her response has remained defiant. By publicly discussing the incident and releasing footage of the confrontation, she has chosen to document what she says happened rather than retreat from the public spotlight.
For Badhon, the episode is not only about an altercation in Italy but also about her continued willingness to stand by her actions and beliefs. Her message following the incident was unequivocal: intimidation, public harassment or physical confrontation would not easily force her into silence.
Her appearance at Venice was intended to celebrate a milestone for Bangladeshi cinema. The events in Mestre have instead highlighted the increasingly complicated intersection of culture, politics and personal expression surrounding public figures from Bangladesh.
Despite the controversy and confrontation, Badhon remains part of the The Difficult Bride team at Venice, where the film’s historic international premiere has given Bangladeshi cinema an unprecedented presence on the world stage.
A news by Alisha Pradhan, General Secretary, HerNet Foundation