When Safana Nomoni first stood in front of a camera, she was only in fifth grade. Acting was simply something she enjoyed.
There was no grand career plan behind it. But almost eight years on Mashrafee Junior changed that. She grew up with the character, learnt the craft through experience and slowly discovered where she wanted to go.
Now that chapter has ended. After a short break to focus on her studies, Nomoni finds herself at another turning point. Film offers may be on the horizon, but the ambition itself has remained remarkably simple: she wants to build her future around acting.
Nomoni’s journey began with advertisements before she moved into television dramas, including Adnan Al Rajeev’s Bikal Belar Pakhi.
She also made an early appearance on the big screen in Poramon 2, playing Puja Chery’s character in her childhood. She later took part in the shooting of Love 2014, although the film never reached audiences.
She never went through formal acting training. Instead, the camera became her classroom. Years of playing the same character on Mashrafee Junior gave her an experience few young performers get so early in their careers.
“Acting is largely something that comes naturally to me. However, I have tried to develop it further through practice and experience,” Nomoni said.
“By working on different projects, my acting has become more polished. I learnt a lot through my experience on Mashrafee Junior and the projects that followed.”
After Mashrafee Junior, she spent nearly a year acting in Deepto TV’s serial Rupnagar. She then stepped away from new projects to concentrate on her studies. Rather than seeing the break as lost time, she used it to prepare herself for whatever came next.
That next chapter could be on the big screen.
There has been discussion about Nomoni appearing in Anonno Mamun’s Danob, although the filmmaker has yet to make any official announcement. Mamun recently added to the speculation by sharing an old photograph of Nomoni with Shakib Khan. The photograph dates back to the shooting of Love 2014.
Nomoni is keeping expectations in check for now.
“Nothing about the film has been finalised yet. Discussions are taking place, but nothing has been signed or fixed so far. Once it is finalised, it will certainly be announced,” she told Times of Bangladesh.
Even if a film does come her way, Nomoni is not looking to become a regular film actress simply for the sake of it. For her, the story and character come before the medium.
“Everything will depend on the story. If I do films and receive offers for good ones, I will certainly work,” she said.
That approach also shapes the way she performs. Nomoni does not model herself on any particular actor.
She prefers to find her own way into a character. Still, two names have stayed with her since childhood — Jaya Ahsan and Shabnoor. She sometimes draws light inspiration from certain aspects of their performances.
Her family has been another constant throughout the journey. Her mother, father and uncle have supported her acting from the beginning, without placing restrictions on her ambitions.
“I have never faced any restrictions from my family since childhood. Rather, everyone has been very supportive. I have come this far because of their support,” she said.
For now, acting and education continue side by side. Nomoni recently sat for her SSC examinations and has enrolled at Dhaka Cantonment Girls Public School and College, where she also completed her school education.
From a fifth-grade girl discovering the camera to a young performer contemplating her first major film chapter, the journey has already taken Nomoni a long way.
And when asked what other dream she hopes to pursue, she does not hesitate.
“I want to move forward with acting. I want to do good work.”
