Shariful Raj breaks silence on legal notice: 'Now I too will speak legally'
Production company Real Energy Production has sent a legal notice to popular Dhakai film actor Shariful Raj. The notice was served on Saturday (31 October). The company said the notice was sent over allegations that schedules were sought repeatedly but not given.
According to the notice, the film's producer is Shahrin Akter. She is making a film named 'Thikana', directed by Zubair Ibne Bakar. The contract says the film will be released at the coming Eid or at some time after Eid, but no fixed date is mentioned.
The notice demands that a schedule be given within 48 hours of the notice date. It also states that otherwise legal action available under law and justice will be taken.
Breaking his silence on the matter, actor Shariful Raj told a media outlet: 'One time they talk about money, that I am supposedly not paying money. Another time they talk about the schedule. What do they actually want? If they want money, let them take it. And if they want a schedule, of course I will give it. I have come here to do films. In my long career, no one can say I took money and did not give a schedule. I will always do films.'
On the producer's allegation that he is not giving schedules in line with the makers' plan to release 'Thikana' at Eid, Shariful Raj said: 'The film will come at Eid. It is not that no other film can be done. Their wish is to release it at Eid, fine. But that no other film can be done — that is not in the contract. And it is not the case that their film will release at Eid either; the notice itself mentions release after Eid. We could have done the work that way. But such allegations and a legal notice over a schedule in a professional matter have left me stunned.'
Asked what the contract and the legal notice say, Shariful Raj said: 'Clause 4.11 of our contract mentions the film's release or the timing of the release schedule. Clause two of the legal notice says the same about release. It is not that the film will release only at Eid. Release at another time is also mentioned. But when later, that is not mentioned either. In the middle of this, they have sent a legal notice over taking a schedule. Now I too will speak legally.'
Explaining a little more, Shariful Raj added: 'I could say many things about the differences in the contract. My job is to give schedules and do the shooting. I am not doing only one film a year now. Anyway, professionally I want to think more about work than about these matters. I have enough respect for the producer and director. They will be able to understand the matter.'
