We are failing to utilise our veteran artistes’: Babita

Internationally acclaimed Bangladeshi actress Babita has been away from the silver screen for nearly 12 years, waiting for an original and compelling story that would inspire her to return to acting.
The legendary actress, who gained international recognition through Oscar-winning filmmaker Satyajit Ray’s “Ashani Sanket”, last appeared in Nargis Akter’s “Putro Ekhon Poisawala”, released nearly 12 years ago.
Although several filmmakers have approached her with scripts over the years, none has impressed her enough to make a comeback.
 Babita expressed her disappointment over the lack of meaningful roles for veteran artistes.
“Many filmmakers have approached me with stories over the past decade, but none has touched my heart. However, my passion for acting remains unchanged. I’m an actress at heart and want to continue acting till the last day of my life,” she said.
Babita added that she still hopes to receive an exceptional original script that would allow her to dedicate herself wholeheartedly to a character.
Referring to neighbouring countries, she observed that filmmakers there continue to produce movies centred on legendary artistes, with younger performers sharing the screen alongside them.
“Unfortunately, our filmmakers are still reluctant to make such films. We have respected artistes like Alamgir and Sohel Rana, who could still play significant roles in meaningful stories. Yet many veteran performers have remained disconnected from cinema for years,” she lamented. The actress expressed regret that Bangladesh’s film industry has failed to utilise the experience and talent of its
senior artistes.
“I’m still waiting for that special story. Perhaps the opportunity will come someday, but I do not know when,” she added.
One of Bangladesh’s most celebrated actresses, Babita has appeared in more than 350 films. She has received multiple National Film Awards, including honours for acting and production.
In 2016, she received the National Film
Award for Lifetime Achievement.