Bangladeshi Actress Nusraat Faria Arrested in Attempted Murder Case Tied to 2024 Protests

Nusraat Faria Arrested: Bangladeshi actress Nusraat Faria, known for portraying Sheikh Hasina in the Mujib biopic, has been arrested in connection with an attempted murder case tied to the 2024 anti-government protests. Read full details here.

Dhaka, May 18, 2025 – In a dramatic turn of events, Bangladeshi actress Nusraat Faria, widely recognized for her portrayal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the biopic Mujib: The Making of a Nation, has been arrested in connection with an attempted murder case linked to the 2024 anti-government uprising.

Faria was reportedly detained at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka as she was preparing to board a flight to Thailand. Authorities from the Vatara Police Station, including Inspector Sujan Haque, confirmed the arrest. She was later transferred to the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch headquarters for further questioning under high security.

Arrest Rooted in July 2024 Uprising

The charges against Nusraat Faria are connected to a case filed in July 2024, during mass protests that rocked Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh. The unrest ultimately led to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, ending decades of political dominance by the Awami League.

According to the Dhaka Tribune, Faria is one of 17 individuals named in an attempted murder case related to violent clashes in the Vatara area during the protests. The victim, a university student, was critically injured in the chaos that erupted as demonstrators clashed with law enforcement.

Assistant Commissioner Shafiqul Islam of Badda Police told Prothom Alo that Faria was initially taken to a local police station before being moved to the Detective Branch office “for security and procedural reasons.”

From Celebrated Role to Controversy

Faria rose to national fame in 2023 for her powerful performance as Sheikh Hasina in Mujib: The Making of a Nation — a high-profile India-Bangladesh co-production directed by acclaimed Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal. The biopic chronicled the life of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh and Hasina’s father.

For Faria, the role was a defining moment in her career. “It was the ultimate achievement of my acting journey,” she had said in interviews following the film’s release. A former radio jockey, Faria began her acting career in 2015 and quickly became one of Bangladesh’s most bankable film stars.

However, the film later drew political controversy. As anti-government sentiments surged in 2024, critics accused the movie of glorifying a leadership that many believed had lost touch with the people.

What’s Next for Nusraat Faria?

At present, Nusraat Faria remains in police custody. Authorities have not disclosed whether formal charges have been filed or whether she will be granted bail. The legal team representing Faria has yet to release an official statement, and attempts by media to contact her family have been unsuccessful.

This unexpected arrest adds a new twist to the already complex political aftermath of the 2024 uprising, raising questions about the intersection of celebrity, politics, and justice in Bangladesh.