Seeking justice for the children with special needs who were insensitively portrayed in the recently aired Eid-ul-Adha tele-fiction “Ghotona Shotto”, private humanitarian organization CHILD (Countrywide Health Initiative for Learning & Development) Foundation says that it will take legal action against the producer, director and associates of the production.The legal initiative will be assisted by the Neuro-Developmental Disability Protection Trust (NDDT) and the Dhaka University Department of Communication Disorders, the organization said at a virtual press conference on Monday.NDDT Trust Chairperson Dr Golam Rabbani, Managing Director Dr Anwar Ullah and Director Salma Begum, Dhaka University Communication Disorder Chairman Tawhida Jahan, Child Foundation Chairman Tahrin Aman, Co-Founder and Secretary General Anowara Aana Aman Aman and Barrister Shahedul Azam spoke at the webinar.It was announced that the legal action against the fiction makers will be implemented on the basis of the Bangladesh government's 'Rights and Protection of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2013'. Also read: “Ghotona Shotto” infuriates audiences for insensitive portrayal of children with special needsSpeakers at the press conference said that the tele-fiction 'Ghotona Shotto', aired on a private television channel as a special programme of Eid-ul-Adha and later released on its producer Central Music and Video (CMV)’s YouTube channel on July 25, has spread severe negative propaganda about the sensitive matter, which elevated the already existing superstitions, stigma and negative mindset regarding the children with special needs - especially in the rural area.The speakers said that the name of the fiction itself is also deceptive and the underlying message conveyed in the fiction belittled and insulted the families, who have been constantly fighting the obstacles and roadblocks regarding the protection of their specially-abled children.It was mentioned that the message given through the fiction has also insulted the responsible activities of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her worthy daughter Saima Wazed in building a friendly and cooperative, inclusive society for the people with special needs. Also read: 'It's time to think who should be referred to as actors, models': Actors Equity BangladeshDirected by Rubel Hasan, the fiction sparked massive criticism after showcasing the story of a couple, acted by Afran Nisho as a driver and Mehazabien Chowdhury as a housemaid, who mischievously deceive their service-takers. Later it showcases that the couple was bestowed with a child with special needs, wondering if their child’s condition is a result of their misdeeds.Amid the controversy, the fiction was then immediately taken down from CMV's YouTube channel and the cast and crew have publicly apologised on their respective social media and other mainstream media platforms.Rejecting the apology of the makers, casts and crews of ‘Ghotona Shotto’, the speakers at the webinar said that they will announce legal actions against the fiction-makers in the upcoming days.

An Eid special tele-fiction titled "Ghotona Shotto", starring popular actors Mehazabien Chowdhury and Afran Nisho, has sparked huge criticism for insensitively addressing children with special needs. Directed by Rubel Hasan and released under the banner of Central Music and Video (CMV), the tele-fiction was enlisted as part of private television station Channel i’s Eid-Ul-Azha special programmes, and it was uploaded on CMV’s YouTube channel. Read: Bongo introduces seven original telefilm adaptations Based on books this Eid The tele-fiction tales the story of a couple, acted by Afran Nisho as a driver and Mehazabien Chowdhury as a housemaid, who mischievously deceive their service-takers. Later in the tele-fiction showcases that the couple was bestowed with a child with special needs, wondering if their child’s condition is a result of their misdeeds. After the telecast of the tele-fiction, Amrin Zaman, a mother, first addressed the issue on Sunday at a Facebook live video. A large number of audiences have since expressed their disgust on social media over the portrayed message, raising questions about the sensitivity of the makers towards the topic of children with special needs. Read: Humayun Ahmed: The Creator of Versatile Fictional Characters Members of several Facebook-based platforms including Autism Bangladesh, a public group to raise awareness and advocate for the persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndromes, Intellectual and Neurological Disabilities on behalf of the children and persons with special needs, have also expressed massive dissatisfaction and anger over the tele-fiction and its associates, with some even considering to file a case against the casts, crews and makers. Amid the controversy, the fiction was then immediately taken down from CMV's YouTube channel. The cast and crew have also publicly apologised across social media through a joint statement, published on both the actor’s and the director’s official Facebook profiles. Read Greatest Animated Films Ever: The Animation movies that will never lose charm “On behalf of the director, artistes and entire cast and crew, we feel deeply sorry and have complete realization as well as full support for those who have reached out to us regarding our drama production “Ghotona Shotto”. We have taken down the content the moment we received the first message. The much-needed correction is being made to the content,” the joint statement said on Sunday. It added, “We would like to send our love, support and apologies to every parent and child with special needs and promise to make content in future that spreads the right message and directs the audience towards the right path.” Read Best Action Movies Ever Made in Film Industries Worldwide