I Will Never Promote Any Form of Gambling”: Actress Sadia Jahan Prova Speaks Out

Bangladeshi actress and model Sadia Jahan Prova has publicly shared a disturbing experience involving an online platform that allegedly misled her into associating with what later turned out to be a betting website. In a detailed video message posted on her Facebook page on Monday, 2 December, Prova explained that a serious misunderstanding had led to prolonged distress, as she was unknowingly drawn into what she describes as a “trap”.

In her statement, Prova revealed that the matter dated back to the last Ramadan, when a company contacted her with a proposal to promote what they described as a gaming website. According to her, companies of this nature often approach artists without offering clear information from the outset, and this case was no exception.

She explained that she had never been familiar with online gaming platforms and does not participate in such activities even casually. When she asked the representatives about the nature of the website, they assured her that it merely broadcast occasional T20 cricket matches and various online games, emphasising that many celebrities had done similar campaigns.

Prova said she repeatedly sought clarification about the type of content the platform offered. Despite her concerns, the company avoided providing transparent answers. They showed her several TVCs and OVCs, but none clearly indicated that the site was connected to betting or gambling activities.

Eventually, she went to the company’s office to sign the agreement, where she was asked to record a short promotional bite. She signed the contract and accepted a token payment, assuming she was endorsing a harmless gaming platform. Only after releasing the short video did she begin receiving warnings from viewers pointing out that the website was, in fact, a betting platform — something she says she had absolutely no knowledge of.

Alarmed, she immediately confronted the company, questioning why they had withheld such crucial information. She recounts that the representatives responded dismissively, saying, “Madam, perhaps you don’t know what a betting website is.” Prova insists she genuinely did not understand the term and felt deceived, particularly as she had directly asked if the website involved any form of gambling.

She described seeing sample footage for a future shoot where costumes and visuals matched those typically used for foreign betting site promotions. When she raised her concerns, the company brushed them aside, claiming those clips were from international platforms, not theirs. According to her, this was part of a deliberate attempt to mislead her.

When she realised the truth—thanks largely to comments from followers—she immediately halted all involvement. She claims the company then attempted to intimidate her, but she remained firm and sought advice from RT security services and her lawyer. Prova stressed that although she had recorded a brief promotional bite, her lips in the video do not match the audio now circulating online, suggesting it has been repurposed or manipulated.

The actress emphasised that she never completed the full promotional campaign, refused to continue once she discovered the site’s true nature, and will never in future endorse anything related to gambling or betting. She expressed regret for not seeking further information earlier but insists she was misled throughout.

In her concluding remarks, Prova appealed to journalists and the public to present her clarification accurately. She reiterated:
“I have never promoted gambling, nor will I ever do so. I stopped the work the moment I understood its nature. Please convey this information correctly.