Sadika Parvin Poppy is one of Bangladesh’s most celebrated and popular actresses.
Although she has been away from films for several years, she continues to have millions of fans at home and abroad.
Poppy remains one of the names often associated with the glamorous and leading actresses of Bangladeshi cinema.
Popy began her journey in the media after winning the Lux Ananda Bichitra Photo Sundari competition in 1995.
She then made her acting debut opposite actor Ilias Kanchan in the television package drama Nayok, directed by the late Shahidul Haque Khan.
She later made her film debut opposite Shakil Khan in the late Sohanur Rahman Sohan’s Amar Ghor Amar Behest.
However, the film was not her first to hit theatres. Montazur Rahman Akbar’s Coolie was released on 16 May 1997, making it Popy’s first released film.
On 20 June that year, she appeared opposite Ilias Kanchan in Shawkat Jamil’s Dorodi Shontan.
Amar Ghor Amar Behest followed on 3 November. In 1998, she appeared in several films, including Mostafizur Rahman Babu’s Ei Mon Tomake Dilam and Motaleb Hossain’s Bhalobashar Ghor.
Popy went on to establish herself through a series of commercially successful and critically acclaimed films.
Her notable works include Charidike Shotru, Bidrohi Charidike, Ke Amar Baba, Lal Badshah, Dujon Dujonar, Praner Priyotoma, Khyapa Basu, Bidrohi Padma, Rani Kuthir Baki Itihash, Megher Kole Rod, Ki Jadu Korila, Karagar, Gangajatra and Bostir Rani Suriya.
She won her first National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in Kalam Kaisar’s Karagar.
She later received the same honour for Megher Kole Rod and Gangajatra.
Poppy has also received awards from organisations including BACHSAS, BABISAS and TRAB.
A few years ago, Poppy married businessman Adnan. The couple have a son, Ayat. She is now focused on her family life.
Reflecting on her career, Poppy said, “Throughout my long career in cinema, I have received the love of millions of film-loving audiences in this country. I have also been blessed with the affection of senior artistes and the entire film fraternity. Everything that I am today, everything that made me Popy, came from cinema and the love of the audience. That is why I will always have immense respect and love for Bangladeshi cinema.”
