Farida Akhtar Babita

Farida Akhtar Poppy, known by her stage name Babita,[3] is a Bangladeshi film actress. She is a popular actress in Bangladeshi films of the 1970s. She is best known for her performance in Satyajit Ray's Distant Thunder, a novel adaptation about the Bengal famine of 1943, which won the Golden Bear prize at the 23rd Berlin International Film Festival in 1973. She was active in the 1970s through 1990s as an actress in Bangladeshi films.[4][5] Babita acted in more than 350 films.[6] After winning the National Film Award in 1975,[7] she won three consecutive best actress prizes. She won Best Actor in 1986,[7] Best Producer in 1997 and Best Supporting Actress Award twice in 2002 and 2012.[8] In addition, she was awarded the lifetime achievement award of the National Film Award in the year 2016.[9]

This article is about the Bangladeshi film actress. For the Indian film actress, see Babita.
Babita
ববিতা
Babita in 2019
Born
Farida Akhter Poppy

(1955-07-30) July 30, 1955[1][2]
Bagerhat, East Pakistan
NationalityBangladeshi
OccupationActress
Spouse(s)Iftekharul Alam
ChildrenAnik Islam (son)
Relatives
AwardsNational Film Awards
Websitehttps://www.babita.net/

Early life

Babita was born to an educated family that had its origins in the west-Bangladeshi district of Jessore, Bangladesh. Her father Nizamuddin Ataub was a government officer and mother Jahan Ara Begum was a doctor. They were in Bagerhat due to their father's job.[10] Her nickname is Poppy. She has three sisters and three brothers. Babita's mother studied in Lady Brabourne College in Calcutta.[11] In an interview with the Independent newspaper in 2004, Babita says that it was Afzal Chowdhury who suggested the screen name Babita for her. In another interview with the Daily Star in 2005, she mentions that Zahir Raihan originally casts her for the movie Shongshaar.[12] A different version of the story is that she adopted the name after appearing in Ehtesham's movie Pitch Dhala Path.[13]

Babita's brother-in-law Zahir Raihan first cast her for his movie Jaltey Suraj Ka Nichey. The film was not completed in the end but she found a break-through into the Dhaka film industry. Her first released feature was Shesh Porjonto. Among the three sisters and three brothers are elder sister Shuchanda who is a famous film actress,[14] elder brother Shahidul Islam is an Electrical Engineer, another brother Iqbal Islam is a Pilot officer, younger sister Champa is a film actress[14] and younger brother Ferdous Islam is currently living in the United States.

Education

Babita studied in her early days at Dawood Public School in Jessore. During her studies there, due to her sister's arrival in the movie, she came to Dhaka with her family. Later she studied in Gloria School.[15] She earned proficiency in English, including some foreign languages. She refined herself to the level of an ideal artist.[16]

Personal life

Babita's husband died when their son was three years old.[11] Her two sisters Shuchanda and Champa are film actresses.[17]

Career

Actress

Babita's notable work includes Shukhe Thako, Taka Anna Pai, Shorolipi, Manusher Mon, Pich Dhala Path, Noyon Moni, Jonmo Theke Jolchi and Anarkoli. Her acting gained the attention of the Indian director Satyajit Ray. In 1973, Ray cast Babita in Ashani Sanket ("Distant Thunder"), his film about the Bengal famine of 1943. Babita appeared in the lead role of Ananga, the demure wife of the village doctor Gangacharan, who was played by long-time Ray favorite Soumitra Chatterjee.

She acted in number of joint venture movie projects in her career, namely: a Canada Bollywood-Bangladesh joint production Movie Door Desh in 1983 (Gehri Chot - Urf: Durdesh in Hindi) opposite Nadeem Baig (actor) and also Pakistan-Bangladesh joint venture film Miss Lanka (Nadaani in Urdu) in 1985. Ashani Sanket won the Golden Bear prize at the 1973 Berlin Film Festival. Babita's performance was central to the film.

Babita also acted in Arunodoyer Agnishakkhi (1972) by Subhash Dutta, Quiet Flows the river Meghna (1973) by Alamgir Kabir, Golapi Ekhon Trainey (1978) by Amjad Hossain, Dahan (1986) by Sheikh Niamat Ali, and Dipu Number Two (1996) by Morshedul Islam.

Babita's male co-actors were Razzak, Faruk, Zafar Iqbal, Bulbul Ahmed, and Sohel Rana.

Started: 1968-1974

Babita made her debut as a child actor in the Songsar film of Zahir Raihan starring elder sister Shuchanda.[16] In this movie she plays the daughter of Razzaq and Shuchanda. Her primary name in the film was "Subarna". She acted in a television drama called "Kalam" at that time. Her name became "Babita" when she appeared in Zaheer Raihan's movie "Jalte Suraj Ki Niche". In the role of the first heroine in 1969, she starred in the film. The film was released on 14 August 1969 and on that day her mother died.[18] Throughout the 70's, she established herself as one of the best actresses of the decade.[19]

Since 2000
Riaz, Shuchanda, Babita, Tina and Champa at Cox's Bazar in 2014

In 2002, Babita won a National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Hason Raja, Chashi Nazrul Islam's biopic of the Bengali folk-poet. She has also formed her own film-production company and has expressed an interest in directing in the future.

Babita has campaigned actively on behalf of various social causes in Bangladesh. Notable among the causes she has supported the campaign against throwing acid on women; the national immunization drive for children; and a support group for children who suffer from leukemia. Starting in 2011, Babita began working with Distressed Children & Infants International as a goodwill ambassador.[20][21]

Producer

After the commercial success of Teen Kannya (1985), a movie produced by Babita's elder sister Shuchanda, Babita became interested in producing movies and hence launched a movie production house named "Babita Movies." Some of Babita's produced movies include Ful Shojja, Agomon, Lady Smuggler (a Bangladesh-Pakistan-Nepal joint venture movie), Lottery and Poka Makorer Ghor Bosoti (a Bangladesh Government sponsored movie).

Filmography
Year Film Role Director Note Ref
1968 Songsar Nurol Haq & Mustafa Mehmud Acting as the first film, child artist
Peec Dhala Poth Ghoshhtesham child artist
1969 Shesh Porjonto First central character
1970 Taka Ana Pai Rina Babul Chowdhury
Santan E R Khan
1971 Sorolipi Mita Nazrul Islam
Jaltey Suraj Ke Neeche Zahir Raihan, Nurul Hoque Urdu [22]
1972 Orunodoyer Ogni Sakkhi Romena Subhash Dutta
Manusher Mon Mustafa Mehmud
Iye kore biye Shova Yousuf Jahir
1973 Distant Thunder Ongan Bau Satyajit Ray
Abar Tora Manush Ho Romena Subhash Dutta
Dhire Bohe Meghna Anita Gupta Alamgir Kabir
Rater Pore Din Mohsin
1974 Alor Michil Narayan Ghosh MGa
Shesh Hote Shuru Motiur Rahman Panu
1975 Badi Theke Begum Chadni Mohsin Winner: National Film Award for Best Actress
Lathiyal Banu Narayan Ghosh Mita
1976 Ek Mutho Vat Ibne Mijan
Ki Je Kori Shahana Chowdhury Johurul Haque
Noyonmoni Moni Amjad Hossain Winner: National Film Award for Best Actress
Bondini Mushtak
Surjogrohon Abdus Samad
1977 Ananta Prem Razzak
Nishan Ibne Mijan
Bosundhara Chobi Subhash Dutta The first film opposite Elias Kanchan
Winner: National Film Award for Best Actress
1978 Agnishikha Ajijur Rahman
Ashami Hajir Dewan Nazrul
Golapi EKhon Traine Golapi Amjad Hossain
Fokir Majnu Shah Daroshiko
Dumurer Ful Subhash Datta
1979 Jinjir Nina Dilip Biswas
Bela Shesher Gaan Jibon Chowdhury & Nurul Islam bachchu
Sundori Sundori Amjad Hossain
Surjo Sangram Abdus Samad
1980 Ekhoni Somoy Abdullah Al Mamun
Kosai Amjad Hossain
Protigga A J Mintu
1981 Jonmo Theke Jolchi Amjad Hossain
1982 Nat bou Chotku Ahmed
Boro Barir Meye Abdus Samad Khokon & Amjad Hossain
1983 Dur Deshe Pingki Khanna Ambrish Sangal
Notun Bou Abdul Latif Bachchu
Nag Purnima Laci Masud Parvej
Laily Mojnu Laily Ibne Mijan
1984 Penshon Khuki Rafiqul Bari Chowdhury
1985 Tin konna Boby Shibli Sadiq
Dahan Aivi Sheikh Niyamot Ali Winner: Bachasas Award for Best Actress
Premik Moinul Hossain
Miss Lanka Iqbal Akhter
Ramer Sumoti Narayoni Shohidul Amin Winner: National Film Award for Best Actress
Sohel rana Nosru Noman
1986 Miss Bangkok Nur Uddin Jahangir & Iqbal Akhter
1987 Condridas O Rojokini Rojokini Rofiqul Bari Chowdhury
1988 Agomon Sajeda Subhash Datta
Pothe Holo Dekha Hafiz Uddin
1989 Biroho Byatha Surjomukhi Chashi Nazrul Islam
Biranggona Sokhina Motin Rahman
1991 Padma Meghna Jamuna Saju Chashi Nazrul Islam
Shoshurbari Ajijur Rahman
1994 Golapi Ekhon Dhakay Golapi Amjad Hossain
1995 Mohamilon Shahana Mollik Dilip Som
1996 Jibon Songsar Jakir Hossain Raju
Dipu Number Two MS Rowshon Morshedul Islam
Poka Makorer Ghor Bosoti Akhtarujjaman Winner: National Film Award for Best Actress
Mayer Odhikar Asha Siddiqa Shibli Sadiq
Sopner Prithibi Sultana Badol Khandakar

Awards

Babita won three consecutive National Film Awards for three consecutive years. She received the Best Actress Award from the Bangla Film Journalist Association for her performance in Satyajit Ray's Distant Thunder film.[23] Besides, she has received numerous awards, both public and private. That is why she was called a 'prize daughter'.[24] She participated in the International Film Festival for the most number of Bangladeshi delegates.[25]

YearAward NameCategoryFilmResult
1975Bangladesh National Film AwardsBest ActressBandi Theke Begum[26]Won
1976 Bangladesh National Film AwardsBest ActressNoyonmoni[4]Won
1977 Bangladesh National Film AwardsBest ActressBasundhara (film)Won
1985 Bangladesh National Film AwardsBest ActressRamer Sumoti[27]Won
1996 Bangladesh National Film Awards Best film producer Poka Makorer Ghor Bosoti[28] Won
2002 Bangladesh National Film Awards Best side character actress Hason Raja[29] Won
2011 Bangladesh National Film Awards Best side character actress Ke Apon Ke Por Won
2016 Bangladesh National Film Awards Lifetime Achievement Award Won[30][31]
1972 Jahir Rayhan Padak Won
1989Ershad PadakWon [32]
1993 Bangladesh Film Directors Association Special prize Distant Thunder Won
2012Bangladesh National Film AwardsBest Supporting ActressKe Apon Ke PorWon
2002Dhallywood Music & Film Lifetime Achievement AwardBest ActressWon[4][5]
2009 Dhallywood Music & Film Lifetime Achievement AwardBest ActressWon[4][5]
1993Bengal Film Journalists Association Award, IndiaBest ActressDistant ThunderWon[31]
1983National Film Award of PakistanBest ActressNaadani (Miss Lanka)Won[33]
1974Bangladesh Cine Journalists Association Award (Bachsas Awards)Best ActressWon[33]
1977 Bangladesh Cine Journalists Association Award (Bachsas Awards)Best Actress Won[33]
1980 Bangladesh Cine Journalists Association Award (Bachsas Awards)Best Actress Won[33]
1985 Bangladesh Cine Journalists Association Award (Bachsas Awards)Best Actress DahanWon[33]
2003 Bangladesh Cine Journalists Association Award (Bachsas Awards) Best side character actress Hason Raja Won
2012 Bangladesh Cine Journalists Association Award (Bachsas Awards) Best Actress Khodar Pore Ma Won

References
  1. "Bobita celebrates her birthday in Canada". The Daily Star. July 30, 2015. Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  2. Rahman, Sadiqur (21 December 2018). "The icon of the golden-era Bangla movie". New Age.
  3. Leonard Maltin (September 2, 2014). Leonard Maltin's 2015 Movie Guide. Penguin Group US. p. 614. ISBN 978-0-698-18361-2.
  4. "Babita becomes DCI Goodwill Ambassador". Priyo News. June 8, 2011. Archived from the original on October 4, 2015. Retrieved 2015-10-07.
  5. "Babita Akhtar". distressedchildren. Retrieved 2015-10-07.
  6. চিরসবুজ ববিতা. Jago News 24 (in Bengali). Retrieved 2019-07-10.
  7. বাষট্টি পেরিয়ে ববিতা [Twenty-six, Bobita]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Retrieved 2019-07-30.
  8. জীবনে পূর্ণতার সুখ পেতে যাচ্ছি : ববিতা. poriborton.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 2019-07-10.
  9. আজীবন সম্মাননা পেলেন ববিতা. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Retrieved 2019-07-10.
  10. মনে হচ্ছে চলচ্চিত্রের জন্য কিছু একটা করতে পেরেছি : ববিতা. Jago News 24 (in Bengali). Retrieved 2019-07-10.
  11. কে কি বলল, মাথা ঘামাতে রাজি ছিলাম না. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). March 9, 2015.
  12. "Q & A". The Daily Star. June 28, 2005. Retrieved 2012-07-10.
  13. Afsar Ahmed (May 6, 2005). "The celebrity name game". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2012-07-10.
  14. সুচন্দা ববিতা ও চম্পার জীবনী নিয়ে তথ্যচিত্র তিন কন্যা [Three daughters of the documentary on the biography of Suchanda Babita and Champa]. Daily Inqilab (in Bengali). Retrieved 2019-07-27.
  15. যায় যায় দিন. Jaijaidin (in Bengali). Retrieved 2019-07-16.
  16. ববিতা / Babita (1955) - Jessore, Jhenaidah, Magura, Narail. jessore.info. Retrieved 2019-07-16.
  17. ""Teen Kanya" on queue". The Daily Star. 3 October 2016. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
  18. নায়িকা চরিত্রে যেদিন সিনেমা মুক্তি পায় সেদিন ববিতার মা মারা যান. Daily Spandan. 2019-04-22. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  19. ববিতা. Priyo (in Bengali). Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  20. Ian Burzynski. "Babita Akhtar, Famous Bangladeshi Actress, Becomes DCI Goodwill Ambassador". V2.distressedchildren.org. Archived from the original on 2012-03-25. Retrieved 2012-07-10.
  21. "Bobita and her sisters celebrate Eid with underprivileged children". The Daily Star. 2019-06-13. Retrieved 2019-06-13.
  22. Hoek, Lotte (2014). "Cross-wing Filmmaking: East Pakistani Urdu Films and Their Traces in the Bangladesh Film Archive". BioScope. 5 (2): 105. doi:10.1177/0974927614547989. Nadeem and Bobita graced the silver screens of Pakistan in the Urdu film Jaltey Suraj Ke Neeche ... Directed by Zahir Raihan (though in places credited to his assistant director Nurul Hoque).
  23. বাংলা চলচ্চিত্র আমার প্রথম প্রেম. Dainik Azadi (in Bengali). Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  24. আজ ববিতার জন্মদিন. Jago News 24 (in Bengali). Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  25. এখনও ববিতা. Janakantha (in Bengali). Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  26. ববিতার ৫৭তম জন্মদিন. Share News24 (in Bengali). July 30, 2015. Retrieved 2015-10-25.
  27. "National Film Award: 1985" (PDF). Ministry of Information. 2008-11-18. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-11-18. Retrieved 2019-07-27.
  28. সাফল্যে ভিন্ন স্বাদের ছবি. Bangladesh Pratidin (in Bengali). Retrieved 2019-07-27.
  29. ১৯৭৫-২০১২ - বাংলাদেশ চলচ্চিত্র উন্নয়ন কর্পোরেশন-গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ সরকার. Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (in Bengali). 2018-12-23. Archived from the original on 2018-12-23. Retrieved 2019-07-27.
  30. "Babita to be honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award". The Independent. Dhaka. Retrieved 2019-09-07.
  31. "Babita to receive lifetime achievement award in Kolkata". The Independent. Dhaka. May 21, 2018. Retrieved 2019-09-07.
  32. ফরিদা আক্তার পপি ববিতা. NewsChattogram24.Com (in Bengali). Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  33. "Babita Akhtar, Famous Bangladeshi Actress, Becomes DCI Goodwill Ambassador". distressedchildren.org. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
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