Actors' Association Takes Full Charge of Actor Samu Chowdhury's Treatment, Will Bear All Costs

After pictures and videos of once-popular actor Samu Chowdhury's disturbed life spread across social media, the Actors' Association (Abhinayashilpi Sangha) has taken full responsibility for his treatment. The organisation says it will bear the entire cost of the treatment.

Rashed Mamun Apu, general secretary of the association, said: “We are ready to take responsibility for Samu Chowdhury's treatment. We were waiting for his family's permission. On Wednesday (28 October) we received permission from his family, including his mother. The process has already begun. His entire treatment will be under our supervision, and the Actors' Association will bear all the costs.”

After images of the beloved star's plight went viral, fans were distressed and discussion and criticism followed. It was after this that the association took the initiative to take charge of his treatment.

A similar situation had arisen about three years earlier. That time, after Samu Chowdhury was found in an incoherent state in Gafargaon, members of the Actors' Association arranged to take him to a safe place and also initiated treatment. But the process did not proceed because the family did not consent.

Earlier this month, Samu Chowdhury was attacked in Jessore town. Taken to hospital bleeding, he received three stitches to his head. After primary treatment, he returned home.

Afterwards, several videos of him spread on social media. Those videos showed that he had gone to the Lalon fair in Kushtia; some videos also showed his disturbed behaviour and scenes of substance use. In this situation, netizens demanded that the government or the relevant organisation arrange his treatment.

A few days later, small-screen actress Monira Mithu claimed in a social media post that Samu Chowdhury suffers from bipolar personality disorder. However, exactly what illness the actor has has not yet been confirmed.

In his student life, Samu Chowdhury was associated with the Jessore Udichi Shilpi Gosthi. For ten years he performed street plays, stage plays and mass songs with Udichi. He later joined Dhaka Udichi, Dhaka Theatre and Nagarik Natyasampraday.

He began his television career in 1990 with Atiqul Haque Chowdhury's play “Samriddha Asim”. He then won a place in viewers' hearts acting in many plays, including “Janmabhumi”, “Satpoure Kabya”, “Ei Somoyer Golpo”, “Jiner Badsha”, “Sonali Roddur”, “Ebong Ami”, “Sabujer Holud Byadhi” and “Durer Akash”.

He has also acted in a number of films. The list includes “Adorer Santan”, “Nodir Naam Modhumoti”, “Dolon Chapa”, “Shoto Jonomer Prem”, “Mayel Adhikar”, “Desh Dorodi”, “Moron Niye Khela”, “Premer Naam Bedona”, “Jabi Koi”, “Sundari Bodhu”, “Jummon Koshai”, “Hridoy Theke Paowa” and “Golui”.

With the family's permission now received, the association says the process of his treatment has begun, and the full treatment will proceed under the association's supervision.