Ananta Jalil seeks exit policy to settle Tk226cr debt as business crisis deepens

Dhallywood actor and businessman Ananta Jalil is seeking to sell his business assets and settle outstanding bank loans under Bangladesh Bank's exit policy amid mounting financial difficulties and factory closures.

Mutual Trust Bank (MTB) has issued a legal notice to Ananta and his first wife, Khadija Parvin, demanding repayment of Tk226.75 crore in connection with a Tk267.21 crore term loan taken by their company, AB Apparels Ltd.

A senior MTB official told The Business Standard that the loan became classified after the company failed to meet its repayment obligations. 

Ananta subsequently applied for rescheduling but could not pay the required down payment. A cheque issued to cover the payment was also dishonoured, prompting the bank to send the legal notice.

According to the notice, MTB rescheduled AB Apparels' Tk267.21 crore term loan on 28 August 2024. On 18 October 2026, Ananta, the company's chairman, issued a cheque for Tk226.75 crore as a partial repayment. The cheque was dishonoured in November due to insufficient funds.

The notice gives Ananta and Khadija 30 days to repay the amount, warning that legal action would follow under sections 138 and 140 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.

The bank official said MTB had not yet filed a case with the Artha Rin Adalat. Instead, it was trying to recover the full loan under the central bank's exit policy. Ananta was also looking for local and foreign investors, and the bank remained in regular contact with him.

Confirming receipt of the legal notice, Ananta told the media that he had borrowed nearly Tk200 crore during the Covid-19 pandemic to pay workers' salaries and benefits despite a lack of business. The interest accrued on the loan had since pushed his liabilities much higher, he said, adding that he needed the bank's cooperation to recover from the crisis.

Meanwhile, Titas Gas has disconnected gas supplies to Ananta's AJI Group over outstanding bills and allegations of gas theft, adding to the group's business difficulties.

Ananta established AJI Group through the garment business and gradually expanded it into several industrial ventures. He entered the film industry in 2010, making his debut alongside his wife, actress Afia Nusrat Borsha, in Khoj: The Search. He later established AB Apparels, appointing Borsha as its managing director.

People close to Ananta said he had tried to keep the businesses running by seeking local and foreign investors and partners. 

He held discussions with several Chinese entrepreneurs, but none made an offer that met his expectations. He also tried to rent out the factories but failed to secure tenants.

Asked whether his involvement in films had contributed to the business crisis, Ananta did not give a direct answer. He attributed the difficulties to several adverse factors, including the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.

The Business Standard tried to contact Ananta several times through multiple phone numbers but could not reach him.

Source: The Business Standard