Babita marks birthday with son, prepares for US lifetime achievement honour
For generations of Bangladeshi audiences, Babita has remained one of the most celebrated faces of the country's silver screen. Her performance in Satyajit Ray's “Ashani Sanket” earned her international recognition, while an illustrious career spanning hundreds of films established her as one of Dhallywood's most beloved leading ladies.
Along the way, she has received numerous accolades at home and abroad, including multiple National Film Awards, the National Film Award for Lifetime Achievement, and the prestigious Ekushey Padak.
As the legendary actress celebrates her birthday today (July 30), she says the occasion has become less about grand celebrations and more about spending precious time with the people she loves most.
Speaking to The Daily Star, Babita shared that, as in previous years, she has travelled to Canada to celebrate the day with her only son, Anik, who has been living there for several years.
"I always try to spend my birthday with my son and be by his side. This year is no different," she said. The actress plans to mark the occasion in the most personal way possible, by preparing her son's favourite dishes herself.
"I'll cook all the food that Anik loves. If we have the time, we'll also go out somewhere and spend a little time together," she said.
The celebrations, however, will not end with her birthday. On August 2, Babita and her son will travel to California, where she is scheduled to attend a dinner with the city's governor, Gavin Christopher Newsom, before receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Anandamela Awards 2026, to be held in Los Angeles.
Reflecting on the honour, Babita described it as another meaningful milestone in a career devoted entirely to cinema.
"I have spent my entire life acting. I have done nothing but films. I've been fortunate to receive awards both at home and abroad, and now I am being honoured in the United States with a Lifetime Achievement Award. It fills me with immense happiness to know that my lifelong work is being recognised in this way."
She added that meeting the governor of California during the visit would make the trip even more memorable.
"That dinner is also something I am looking forward to. It will become another cherished memory in my life. I hope to be there with my son, and once the formalities are over, we'll spend some time travelling together and create beautiful memories."
Asked how she views life at this stage, the actress responded with characteristic optimism.
"Life is beautiful. It truly is. We only get one life, so I always choose to see it positively. Every person can do good, think positively and stand beside others."
Looking back on her remarkable journey, Babita said cinema has given her opportunities she could never have imagined.
"There was a time when I was extremely busy with films. Cinema took me to major international film festivals around the world, where I had the opportunity to represent Bangladesh and showcase our films. That is why I believe cinema is incredibly powerful—it can achieve so much."
She also revealed that passion often mattered more than payment.
"I worked very hard throughout my career. For several films that I truly believed in, I didn't accept a single penny as remuneration. Those films went on to receive love from audiences, critical acclaim and awards. As an artiste, they gave me an invaluable place in people's hearts."
Recalling her years working alongside many of the country's leading men, Babita spoke warmly about the late actor Zafar Iqbal.
"He was incredibly smart and modern for his time. We shared a wonderful friendship. He came from a cultured family—Shahnaz Rahmatullah was his sister—and he also sang beautifully. During breaks in shooting, he would often say, 'Madam, today I'll sing a song for you,' and then play the guitar."
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She added, "I had beautiful relationships with all my co-stars, from Razzak Bhai to Zafar Iqbal. We always worked together with great respect and affection."
As she marks another birthday, Babita has only one wish.
"I seek everyone's blessings and love."
Despite decades of fame and countless accolades, Babita believes the greatest reward an artiste can receive is the affection of the audience.
"People have always loved and respected me, and that is the biggest blessing. I believe the greatest achievement for any artiste is the love of the people."
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