Until the release of ‘Jongli’ last Eid-ul-Fitr, Prarthana Fardin Dighi’s fortunes as a leading actress had been less than promising. Though she continued to sign new projects, few of them were big-budget or high-profile ventures.
As a result, she was more often in the news for her wedding-themed photoshoots or modelling work than for her films. That changed with Jongli, which brought her back into the spotlight opposite Siam Ahmed. Her portrayal of Nupur in the film left a strong impression on audiences.
In a recent conversation with The TIMES of Bangladesh, Dighi spoke candidly about how she deals with criticism and her current slate of projects.
“I went to the cinema hall and saw people crying,” Dighi recalled. “Someone even came up and hugged me. That love for cinema is my real achievement.”
Dighi began her career as a child artist and went on to win the National Film Award. Back then, she earned widespread praise. However, stepping into heroine roles brought new challenges and frequent criticism. Yet Dighi believes that these criticisms helped her grow and stay on the right path.
“For me, every character is central,” she said. “Because I find myself within each role. If I’m working, there will always be criticism. I just don’t listen to it.”
She added that while negative comments once hurt her deeply, she has since learned to distinguish between constructive criticism and pointless negativity.
“Many people try to belittle others to make themselves feel important,” she said, adding, “Now I can tell the difference between what’s helpful and what’s not. The only person who can truly point out my mistakes is my father. He’s my biggest critic.”
At one point, Dighi revealed, she struggled with depression after being body-shamed. Weight gain caused by illness and steroid medication led to public scrutiny and cruel remarks.
“It was a difficult time,” she admitted. “But through hard work and patience, I overcame that disappointment and rebuilt myself.”
Currently, Dighi is busy with her new film ‘Biday’, in which she stars opposite Bapparaj. Shooting began earlier this month, focusing on human relationships and emotional tension.
Filming started on October 17 across various locations in Sunamganj and will continue until early November, before moving to the Middle East for additional scenes. The story centres on migration from remote rural areas to abroad.
“The story itself is the hero of our film,” said Dighi. “It’s a human story, one that raises awareness and can be enjoyed with the family.” Keeping details under wraps, she said that the production company will make official announcements soon.
Dighi also mentioned that talks for several new projects are in the final stages. For now, she aims to stay focused on her work and steer clear of unnecessary criticism or gossip.
