After nearly 12 years away from the big screen, legendary Bangladeshi actress Babita is still waiting for a film that will bring her back to acting. Despite receiving numerous offers from filmmakers over the years, she says none of the stories has inspired her enough to accept a role.
Babita, who earned international recognition for her performance in Satyajit Ray’s Oscar-winning filmmaker’s film Ashani Sanket, last appeared in Nargis Akhter’s Putro Ekhon Poysawala. The film was released nearly 12 years ago, and she has not acted in another feature since.
Speaking from Canada, Babita said her passion for acting remains as strong as ever. However, she wants her return to be through an original story that allows her to devote herself fully to the character.
“Many filmmakers have approached me with stories over the past decade or so. But none of them truly touched my heart or made me eager to act. I still want to work in films because I am an actress from the depths of my heart. I want to keep acting until the last day of my life. Yet, in the past 10 years, I have not had the opportunity to work in a film with a good story. I am still waiting, hoping that a truly wonderful, original story will come my way,” she said.
Babita believes the Bangladeshi film industry could do more to create meaningful roles for its veteran performers.
Pointing to the Indian film industry, she said filmmakers there continue to build stories around legendary actors, while younger performers welcome the opportunity to share the screen with them.
She believes such productions allow experienced artistes to bring depth to a film, while younger actors contribute fresh energy.
Babita also named veteran actors Alamgir and Sohel Rana among those who could still lead compelling films.
She regretted that many established performers, including herself, have remained away from cinema for years despite having considerable experience to offer.
“Even now, good films could be made around respected artistes such as Alamgir bhai and Sohel Rana bhai, along with many others. Yet, like me, many of them have not been involved in films for years. We are failing to make proper use of our experienced actors,” she said.
The actress admitted that the prolonged wait has left her with a sense of regret. She hopes to find a role that will challenge her and allow her to immerse herself completely in the demands of acting.
“At this stage of my life, I sometimes feel disappointed that I still have not found a good, original story in which I can give myself entirely to the role and work hard to bring the character to life. Perhaps that moment will come. I do not know when,” she said.
Babita remains one of the most celebrated actresses in Bangladeshi cinema. She rose to prominence in the 1970s and has appeared in more than 350 films.
She received the National Film Award for Best Actress in 1976, 1977 and 1985. She later won the Best Producer award in 1996 and the Best Supporting Actress award in 2002 and 2011. In 2016, she received the National Film Award for Lifetime Achievement.
This year, Babita received the Ekushey Padak and the Maa Padak, adding further recognition to her distinguished career.
For now, the veteran actress remains hopeful that a compelling original story will finally bring her back to the screen.
