At the height of her stardom, Sadika Parveen Popy was one of the busiest heroines in Dhallywood, moving from one hit film to another. In 2020, she last shot for ‘Direct Action’, then suddenly disappeared from the spotlight.
For five years, Popy stayed away, during which she got married and became a mother.
Now, in 2025, she is ready to return to films, but not as an actress. Instead, she is stepping into the role of producer.
“I will not return to acting, that is for sure,” Popy said in a recent conversation. “But I have unfinished work, which I will complete. After that, I want to start a new chapter in cinema as a producer.”
This is not entirely new ground for her. Popy has earlier experience producing films, including one directed by Monowar Khokon, though she incurred a loss of Tk 20 lakh.
“The team’s lack of cooperation caused the loss,” she reflected. “But in my long career, I have learned how this industry works. I believe I can do something worthwhile in production.”
She had previously been involved with films such as ‘Kidnap’ and ‘Jibon Manei Juddho’. Production, she said, had always been her hidden passion.
Popy’s journey in cinema began far from the Dhaka spotlight. Born in Khulna’s Sonadanga, the eldest of six siblings, she was pushed toward showbiz when her mother sent her photo to the Lux-Anand Bichitra Beauty Contest.
Winning the contest changed her life. She and her mother moved to Dhaka, where she enrolled at Lalmatia Women’s College and soon caught the eye of director Sohanur Rahman Sohan.
Her first film was ‘Amar Ghor Amar Behest’ with Shakil Khan, but true stardom came with Montazur Rahman Akbar’s ‘Coolie’, starring opposite Omar Sunny. After that, Popy became a household name in cinema, and her schedule was packed with back-to-back hits.
Yet, fame came at a cost. She regrets not being able to complete her education. “If I could have finished my studies, life would have felt more complete,” she admitted.
Even so, Popy is ready for a new beginning; one where she hopes will be defined not by stardom, but by creative vision.
