Hanif Sanket's "Ityadi" programme has always been filmed in various traditional and historical locations across the country. Continuing this tradition, the latest episode was recorded at the Tonkonath Zamindar Bari in Ranisankail, Thakurgaon.

However, shortly after the filming began, videos of a chair-throwing incident surfaced on Facebook and YouTube, sparking widespread discussions on social media.

In response to the chaos that unfolded in Thakurgaon, Hanif Sanket took to Facebook to share a detailed statement addressing the incident.

Robi Chowdhury and Liza performing on stage during the shooting of 'Ityadi' in Thakurgaon. Photo: Collected

"I was quite surprised to read some news and comments from certain media outlets and individuals on social media regarding the 'Ityadi' filming event in Thakurgaon," Sanket wrote. 

"Initially, I thought of not responding to any of it. However, their comments and reports make it seem as though they were present at the venue instead of me. Based on their remarks, one might assume there was an attack, fighting, or vandalism at the event, which forced me to halt the programme. But the people of Thakurgaon and the audience present there know that no such incident took place," added the popular host. 

Sanket continued to explain that for nearly three decades, "Ityadi" has been filmed in historically significant and socially important locations around the country, and the event in Thakurgaon was no different.

Photo: Collected

"After planning the event in Thakurgaon, we decided to film Ityadi at the Ranishankail Rajbari (Raja Tonkonath's palace) and informed the local administration about it," Sanket shared. "We arranged seating for 6,000 audience members and began the programme around 7 PM. However, shortly after the event started, we learned that nearly a hundred thousand people were waiting outside the venue to watch the programme".

The situation quickly escalated when thousands of people who were not invited to the event attempted to enter the venue by breaking through the bamboo barriers,leading to a brief period of chaos.

Realising the seriousness of the situation, the crew consulted with the local administration and temporarily suspended the filming. Once the situation calmed down, they resumed filming, but many audience members had already left.

"Later, with the help of the police, army, and local residents, we successfully completed the filming in a peaceful manner," Sanket said. "The situation did not arise from any attack, vandalism, or fighting, but rather from the immense love and enthusiasm of the audience for Ityadi". 

The chair-throwing incident, which became a topic of discussion, was explained by Sanket as a result of overcrowding. 

"It was this love that made everyone eager to witness the filming. However, due to the lack of space, many couldn't even find room to stand. As a result, they moved chairs to make space for themselves, leading to the chair-throwing incident. This caused some disorder, but certain individuals are exaggerating the event, spreading false information, and attempting to distort the truth with political agendas", stated Hanif Sanket. 

Addressing the political rumours surrounding the incident, Sanket outright denied his and the show's involvement with politics. 

Sanket also emphasised that despite these difficulties, the "Ityadi" remains a cherished programme among audiences."Even with the changing circumstances in the country, we filmed an Ityadi episode in Sherpur on September 6th with nearly 50,000 attendees, and another in Bagerhat on November 29th with thousands of viewers—both events were carried out smoothly and without any issues". 

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Ityadi's filming halted for two hours due to huge crowd in Thakurgaon

Last but not the least, Hanif Sanket highlighted the strong, unshakable bond between the show and its viewers. "In truth, we have become targets of view-hungry controversies. Yet, no amount of false information can weaken the deep connection between Ityadi and its audience. The massive turnout in Thakurgaon to watch the show is a testament to this affection, and it has touched us profoundly. With the audience's love, 'Ityadi' celebrates its 37th year this year."