Photo: Collected
Babita Day will be celebrated on August 5 in Dallas, United States, honouring veteran Bangladeshi actress Farida Akhtar Babita. This commemoration was first introduced last year when August 5 was declared Babita Day in Dallas. The declaration coincided with a film festival in Dallas, Texas, which exclusively screened movies starring Babita, a living legend of Bangladeshi cinema.
At the event, the internationally acclaimed actress received a lifetime achievement award from Bob Dubey, the Mayor of Richardson City, Texas. The Mayor of Dallas officially announced the establishment of Babita Day. Going forward, Dallas will commemorate Babita Day annually on August 5.
Meanwhile, today is Babita's birthday. She was supposed to go to Canada on July 23, just before her birthday. However, due to contracting COVID-19 for the second time, Babita couldn't travel to Canada as scheduled. She had to stay in the hospital for two days. This time, she's not celebrating her birthday with her son Anik. However, Babita mentioned that as soon as she feels a little better, she will leave for Canada.
Babita said, “Birthdays aren't really celebrated that way. This time, Anik had said he would give me various surprises on my birthday. But that couldn't happen. So I'll spend the entire day of my birthday at my home in Dhaka. My elder sister, younger sister, and other family members are here. I ask for everyone's blessings so that Allah keeps me healthy and well.”
“And with the initiation of Babita Day in Dallas last year, I'm truly proud and extremely happy for the honour bestowed upon me and my beloved Bangladesh. This honour is not just for me, but also for Bangladesh. I truly never imagined that such a moment would come in my life. There are some moments in life that come as a blessing. This is truly such an achievement that I didn't know or understand was waiting for me in life. This honour has brought fulfillment to my life. Life has become even more meaningful,” the actress added.
Babita is an internationally renowned actress. She is the one who first carried Bangladesh's flag to a world film festival. The multiple-time National Film Award-winning actress Babita has also received a Lifetime Achievement Award.
As an actress, Babita has acted in nearly 150 films. Some notable ones include 'Sundori', 'Ek Mutho Bhat', 'Ananto Prem', 'Basundhara', 'Sohag', 'Fokir Majnu Shah', 'Wada', 'Lathial', 'Kotha Dilam', 'Nishan', 'Etim', 'Laily Mojnu', 'Durdesh', 'Miss Lanka', 'Fulshojja', 'Birangona Sakhina', 'Mintu Amar Naam', and 'Behula Lakkhinder'. She also made a significant impact internationally by acting in Oscar-winning filmmaker Satyajit Ray's film 'Ashani Sanket'.
