Filmmaker Raihan Rafi has stated that his latest web film, "Amlanama," bears no resemblance to the story of Teknaf municipal councilor Ekramul Haque, who was killed in an alleged "gunfight." His clarification comes after discussions emerged following the film’s release on March 13 on an OTT platform, with some viewers drawing parallels between the film and Haque’s case. The debate intensified after Ekramul Haque’s wife, Ayesha Begum, denied any connection in a Facebook post.
In a Facebook post on March 16, Raihan Rafi wrote:
"This is not the story of a particular family. The film has no connection to Ekramul Haque. I made this film as a protest against all extrajudicial killings in the country. We want justice for all such incidents."
Speaking to the media, Rafi further explained, "From the very beginning, we have stated that this film is not based on a true story. It is inspired by real-life incidents. 'Amlanama' is a reflection of multiple extrajudicial killings that have taken place in the country."
He emphasized, "We have attempted to narrate a story inspired by many events. There is no single individual as the focus of this film."
Meanwhile, Ayesha Begum, the wife of Ekramul Haque, expressed her dissatisfaction over the issue in a Facebook post, criticizing the alleged misrepresentation of her late husband’s story.
She wrote:
"Director Raihan Rafi has made a fictional movie. He himself admitted that the film has no connection to any real events and that it is purely his imagination. Yet, people are using this film to blame and shame us."
She further stated,
"Some people are wrongly linking this film to my husband’s story. My husband was never involved in drugs. He was brutally and intentionally murdered. If Raihan Rafi claims that this film is based on Ekramul Haque’s real-life story, I will be forced to file a defamation lawsuit against him. I urge him to publicly clarify that this film has no connection to my husband’s case."
Following Ayesha Begum’s statement, Raihan Rafi reiterated his stance, reaffirming that "Amlanama" is a fictional story with no links to any particular person or incident.
The web film "Amlanama" features actors such as Toma Mirza, Zahid Hasan, Sarika Sabrin, Kamruzzaman Kamu, Gazi Rakayet, Geetashree Chowdhury, Hasnat Ripon, Jannatul Mawa Jhilick, A.K. Azad Setu, and Inaya Arya.
The screenplay for "Amlanama" was co-written by Raihan Rafi and S.M. Nazrul Islam.
Notably, Raihan Rafi has previously directed films inspired by real-life incidents, including "Janowar," "Friday," "Taan," and "Khachar Bhitor Ochin Pakhi."
