Ashna Habib Bhabna represents a new generation of Bangladeshi actors who have quietly built recognition through selective but impactful work, earning attention from both audiences and critics.
On April 18, she walked the red carpet at the Moscow International Film Festival, an experience she described as both personal and national in significance. For her, such international appearances go beyond individual recognition, as she sees herself as representing Bangladesh on a global stage.
Red carpet with a local identity
Bhabna appeared in a gown made from Benarashi katan fabric, a choice she said was intentional in its cultural grounding. While the outfit was styled as a modern gown rather than a traditional saree, she emphasised the use of local material and collaboration with Bangladeshi designers.
She explained that Benarashi holds a special cultural value in Bangladesh, often associated with weddings and formal occasions, and is considered a premium fabric. She wanted to highlight its versatility beyond conventional usage, noting that it can be adapted into contemporary silhouettes such as gowns, jackets and layered designs.
The outfit was prepared within a short timeframe of around 12 to 15 days, with designers Tanvi and Imam from Canvas assisting in its execution.
Response in Moscow
Ashna’s film ‘King in the Land of the Princess’ was screened in the Artcore section of the festival. Bhabna said the response from international critics and jury members was positive, and she expressed hope that Bangladeshi audiences would get to see the film soon.
She was involved in the project after director Asif Islam approached her with the story. She described the film as a low-budget, documentary-style production, different from the commercial work she usually does. For her, the project was an opportunity to explore new forms of storytelling and creative responsibility.
Playing Princess Rosie
In the film, Bhabna plays a character named Princess Rosie. She said the role required a complete departure from her own personality and habits, as she focuses on building characters that feel distinct in behaviour, expression and physicality.
She explained that acting, for her, is now a highly technical process rather than purely emotional work, requiring careful attention to detail so that personal traits do not appear on screen.
Memories of Cannes
Bhabna also reflected on her earlier experience at the Cannes Film Festival, which she described as particularly memorable because she attended alone with her film. She said the experience gave her confidence and was professionally significant, especially after receiving accreditation as a South Asian actor.
Creative work beyond cinema
Away from films, Bhabna said she has not been painting recently due to time constraints, although she hopes to return to it in the future. She described painting as demanding in terms of focus and time, which she currently cannot consistently commit to.
She is also writing, though not actively working on a new book at the moment. She continues to jot down lines in her notes and has an unfinished novel titled ‘Amra Kokhono Bondhu Chilam Na’, which she hopes to complete eventually. She is also writing poetry.
On the work front, Bhabna confirmed that her new web film ‘Paap Kahini 2’ has been released on iScreen from April 24. She added that further updates on future releases will be shared in due course.
