With just three days to go before the national election, political campaigning has intensified across Bangladesh — and several figures from the country’s entertainment sector have stepped into the fray in support of opposition party activities.
On Monday (February 9), prominent performers including singer Monir Khan, musician Robi Chowdhury, and actress Rina Khan joined a campaign rally in Dhaka‑17 backing the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) candidate under the “paddy sheaf” symbol. They were joined by actress Shimla, whose appearance with the BNP has drawn attention due to her recent association with the rival Awami League.
Shimla had earlier sought nomination from the ruling Awami League ahead of the January 2024 general election. At that time she appeared at the party’s central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka to collect a nomination form for the Jhenaidah‑1 seat under the “boat” symbol, though she ultimately did not receive the party’s endorsement. In media interviews after collecting the form, she described herself as a “child of the Awami League family”.

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This week, video footage and reports published by multiple online news portals show Shimla campaigning in Dhaka‑17, walking through crowds and urging voters to support the BNP candidate. Monir Khan, Robi Chowdhury, Rina Khan and actor Shahed Sharif were seen speaking to residents and soliciting votes on behalf of the paddy sheaf symbol.
In one video clip from the rally, a bystander accuses Robi Chowdhury of seeking votes for other parties in the past. Responding to the allegation, Chowdhury says, “I have asked for votes on behalf of Momtaz Begum at her request. She is my colleague. Any musician — like Monir Khan (gesturing toward him), my younger brother — if he stands in an election, I will seek votes for him, whoever party he belongs to.”
During a break in the campaigning, Shimla spoke briefly to reporters, identifying herself and her purpose. “I am Shimla, and I am asking for votes for the paddy sheaf,” she said. “I have spoken with many people here and they have expressed willingness to vote for the paddy sheaf.”
Attempts to reach Shimla by phone to ask about her sudden shift in political alignment were unsuccessful; her number was found to be switched off.