Veteran actress Momena Chowdhury is set to stage the 14th performance of her solo play Godhuli Bela on 14 November. Written and performed by Momina, the production explores an elderly mother’s loneliness, unspoken pain and buried resentment.
Momena has spent more than three decades working across theatre, television and film. She is also known as a playwright and theatre organiser. Godhuli Bela is the fifth production of her theatre group, Shunyan Repertory Theatre. Shamim Sagar has directed the play.
The story follows an elderly woman who sits in a park on her 50th wedding anniversary and revisits memories of her past. Through her reflections, the audience gradually discovers the pain, unspoken words and quiet protests she has carried for years behind the roles of wife and mother.
The play premiered in June 2025 at the Jamaica Arts Centre in New York, US. From August that year, the production travelled to several venues in Bangladesh, including Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka, Jatrabiroti in Banani, Bishwa Sahitya Kendra and Rangpur.
Continuing that journey, the 14th show will take place at 6.30pm on 14 November at the Studio Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Segunbagicha, Dhaka.
Inviting audiences to the performance, Momena said she was overwhelmed by the love the play had received at home and abroad.
“I warmly invite everyone to watch Godhuli Bela. You can enjoy the play with your family. I have been deeply moved by the love audiences have shown it at performances both at home and abroad. With that same love and trust in our audiences, we are staging it once again. I hope to meet theatre lovers today. We can talk after the show,” she said.
She also shared the thought behind the production.
“One thing I must say is that, when people reach the twilight of their lives, they have little left to ask for or expect. All they need is a good friend with whom they can speak freely, look into each other’s eyes and sip tea together. That is the thought the play brings to life,” she added.
Momena’s most acclaimed and landmark stage production remains Laljamin. Written by Mannan Hira, the solo play centres on the Liberation War. Her performance has earned widespread appreciation at home and abroad, and the production has staged more than 300 shows.
She has also appeared in several acclaimed, socially grounded films. Her notable credits include Halda, Nodijon, Swapnodana, Ekattorer Khudiram, Naior and Anishchit Jatra.
Since the late 1980s, Momena has acted in numerous single-episode dramas and television serials for Bangladesh Television (BTV) and various private television channels. She is also involved in the humanitarian and service activities of Quantum Foundation.
