Nushrratt Bharuccha, who found herself in a challenging situation while in Israel since Saturday, has successfully returned to Mumbai, her safety ensured. The talented actress had journeyed to Israel to participate in the prestigious Haifa International Film Festival 2023, where her film, “Akelli,” was scheduled to be screened.
In the wake of her return, Nushrratt Bharuccha has taken the time to share the details of her harrowing experience through a video message and a heartfelt note. In these communications, she expressed her gratitude towards both the Indian and Israeli governments for their invaluable assistance during her ordeal.
Nushrratt went on to recount the events of the past week, describing it as a rollercoaster ride of emotions, with the final 36 hours being particularly unforgettable and daunting. She revealed that she had traveled to Haifa, Israel, on October 3, along with her producer and stylist, for the esteemed Haifa International Film Festival, where “Akelli” was to be showcased alongside her Israeli co-actors, Tsahi Halevi and Amir Boutrous. Their trip had included visits to some of Israel’s historic sites, including Jerusalem, Jaffa, Bahá’l, and the Dead Sea, culminating in a celebratory dinner on the evening of October 6. At that dinner, they had toasted to their film’s selection at the Haifa Film Festival and made plans to visit each other and possibly collaborate in the future.
However, the following Saturday morning brought a stark contrast to the previous night’s celebration. The group was abruptly awakened by the jarring sounds of bombs, blaring sirens, and overwhelming panic. They were swiftly ushered into a shelter in the basement of their hotel. Emerging from that shelter after what felt like an endless wait, they learned that Israel was under attack, a shocking turn of events that none of them had anticipated.
In her note, Nushrratt shared the challenges they faced in contacting the Indian Embassy, which was only 2 kilometers from their hotel. She described their journey to the airport as a test of their courage, marked by prayers, tears, and mutual support. Their aim was to secure a flight to any country as quickly as possible. The journey from their Tel Aviv hotel to Ben Gurion Airport was far from easy, with each step fraught with uncertainty and anxiety. The normally routine airport procedures felt excruciatingly unpredictable, and the delays only added to their apprehension. Finally, when they were airborne, the sense of relief was indescribable.
Nushrratt extended her heartfelt thanks to the Government of India, the Indian Embassy, and the Israeli Embassy for their unwavering assistance during this challenging time. She also expressed her deep gratitude to her well-wishers for their prayers and wishes for her safety. In closing, she conveyed her appreciation for the support and kindness she received during this trying experience.
