Alleged On-Set Assault Sparks Actor Guild Response

A recent incident on the set of a Bangladeshi television drama has ignited public debate after actress Samia Othi accused co-star Tanjin Tisha of striking her during filming. The allegation surfaced via a Facebook Live session yesterday evening, where Samia claimed that Tisha physically assaulted her while shooting a scene in Manikganj.

According to Samia Othi, “In one scene, I was meant to lightly slap Tanjin Tisha, whose character is portrayed as mentally unstable. I followed the director’s instructions and delivered a soft slap, but she retaliated with multiple strikes in front of the entire crew.” The video quickly went viral on social media, drawing widespread attention and sparking discussions about on-set discipline and professional conduct.

Responding to the controversy, Abhinyoshilpi Songho Bangladesh, the national guild for television actors, issued a statement emphasising the importance of institutional channels for resolving disputes. The guild warned that publicising conflicts on social media or other media platforms contravenes their code of conduct. They stated that incidents must be addressed through structured dialogue and formal procedures to prevent misunderstandings and negative perceptions about the acting community.

Key points from Abhinyoshilpi Songho Bangladesh’s statement:

Tanjin Tisha, however, maintains that her actions were entirely in line with her character’s requirements. “I was portraying a special child whose actions may include physical aggression as part of the storyline. Once the drama is released, viewers will understand the context behind every action,” she explained.

Director Rafat Majumdar also clarified the incident, telling our representative , “The scene required a slap. Both actors were instructed to deliver it gently, but a misjudgement occurred. This was an unintended misunderstanding during performance.”

The drama features a prominent cast including Shahiduzzaman Selim, Momena Chowdhury, and Mir Rabbi, among others. While the incident has triggered intense social media discussion, the guild strongly advocates for resolving such issues through established institutional protocols rather than public trials or opinion polls online.

This episode has sparked a broader conversation about on-set professionalism, actor safety, and adherence to organisational codes within Bangladesh’s entertainment industry. It highlights the delicate balance between artistic performance and respect for colleagues, emphasising that even scripted physical interactions require careful management to avoid conflict.

Summary of Incident:

The guild and production team continue to encourage professional communication and structured conflict resolution, setting a precedent for managing on-set disputes without resorting to public controversy.