Bangladesh's thriving television drama industry was rocked last Monday night as police detained celebrated director Rafat Mazumder Rinku. Known for his prolific outputs and a string of acclaimed productions, Rinku was taken into custody from Dhaka's Gulshan area. Officer-in-Charge Touhid Alam of Gulshan Police Station confirmed that Rinku had been arrested as a suspect, though the reasons behind the detention remain unclear.
A source close to the director confirmed to The Daily Star that several of his industry colleagues and friends are at the police station to inquire about Rinku's well-being and status. Rinku has been a fixture in the country's television drama scene for years, directing over 150 productions. His storytelling prowess and directorial vision have captivated audiences, with hit dramas like "Rongin Asha," "Putuler Shongshar," "Itibritta," "Norosundori," "Kobor," "Bandhan," "Blogger Mitu," "Jaal," "Katus," "Otirikto," "Nongor," and "Rickshaw Girl.
" Acknowledged as one of the industry's top talents, Rinku's work has earned him prestigious awards, including the Deepto TV Award and the Meril-Prothom Alo Award. Despite his accolades and widespread recognition, Rinku's sudden arrest has left the artistic community and his colleagues in shock. Many have questioned the rationale behind the late-night detention, calling for transparency and demanding his immediate release.
The director previously faced significant backlash for his drama "Rupantor," which featured an LG.