Won’t work in this country again, says an angry Pori Moni

Entertainment Reporter Published: 26 January 2025, 07:56 PM
Won’t work in this country again, says an angry Pori Moni
The photo from August 5, 2021, shows RAB personnel escorting Pori Moni out of her home after her arrest.-- Collected Photo

Pori Moni, the Dhallywood sensation, has taken to social media to express her frustrations over a series of unfortunate events that have derailed her career. In a post on January 25, she shared her inability to attend a high-profile event in Tangail, followed by the shock of an arrest warrant being issued in her name just a day later. The actress, visibly upset, spoke exclusively to Jago News about her troubled situation.

What happened in Tangail?

“I was told just the night before the event that there had been a security lapse, and the event was cancelled,” Pori Moni begins, disbelief evident in her voice. “I’m shocked. Why is something like this happening in our country? Why are we, as artists, being stopped from doing our work? I see stars around the world opening showrooms and attending events. Why can’t we do the same here? What’s happened to our industry? Where are we heading? It feels like our very existence is being questioned.”

The stagnation of new work

Pori continues, her frustration growing. “New work? How can I even think about new projects when the work I was doing yesterday is being stopped today? Am I supposed to work abroad? Am I supposed to live in a country where I can’t even do basic things like attend an event or shoot freely? If this is how things are going to be, I don’t know if I can continue working here. What’s the point? I’ve had enough. If they keep blocking even the simplest of tasks, I’m afraid I will break down.”

A bitter missed opportunity in Kolkata

The actress, who was supposed to attend the launch of her first film in Kolkata, is deeply upset by her absence. “I couldn’t even make it to Kolkata. You have no idea how that feels. My first film in Kolkata, and I wasn’t there to experience it. Nothing can be more disappointing than that. I am heartbroken. The way I was received by the media, by the hall owners – it was overwhelming. And I couldn’t be a part of it. It’s devastating.”

Where does she go from here?

“I just want to live peacefully with my children,” Pori Moni says, her voice softer now. “At the end of the day, I have to manage my life. I have no one else. If I am not allowed to work in this country, I won’t. I’m done. I won’t be going on any campaigns, I won’t do any public events. What will I even do? This is not the life I wanted. We didn’t want this country like this. It’s as if a small group of people is causing all of this. How are we letting this happen? If there is a larger group, why aren’t they stepping up? How long can I keep speaking alone?”

Her deep sense of failure

Pori Moni is clearly disillusioned. “We all fought for something better. We had dreams. But at the end of the day, what’s happening? We’re destroying everything we’ve worked for. Artists will disappear if there’s no work. Everyone is agitating, but nothing is changing. The industry is pushing for everything to stop, but what good is that? Nothing will improve here.” Her voice cracks with emotion, as she adds, “As an advisor… I don’t want to name names, but I could. And when I do, they’ll just call me bad. It’s the same old story.”

The arrest warrant: A connection to her social media post?

Asked about the arrest warrant issued against her and whether it has anything to do with her Facebook post, Pori Moni reveals, “I was supposed to go to court today, but I couldn’t make it. I was sick. I informed my lawyer. I couldn’t attend the court session because of my illness. This isn’t the first time. I missed one before, and now I’ve missed another. I’ve always complied with the process. I have no problem attending court when I’m able to.”

Her words echo a powerful frustration, one that many artists in Bangladesh may feel as they navigate an industry often fraught with obstacles. What’s clear is that Pori Moni, who has long been a leading figure in the Dhallywood scene, is at a crossroads. Whether she will continue to fight or walk away remains to be seen, but for now, she seems determined to make her voice heard.