With her praiseworthy performance in legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray’s ‘Oshoni Shongket’ (Distant Thunder), internationally-acclaimed Bangladeshi actress Babita won the hearts of the audience from both Bengals--Kolkata and Bangladesh. Iconic Indian actor Soumitra Chatterjee acted opposite her in this film released on August 15 in 1973. The opportunity of acting under Satyajit Ray helped Babita to reach a new height among her contemporary heroines. She received several awards from India for the film, including the awards from BFJ and Bharat Prasar Samiti.

Now, after 45 years of the release of ‘Oshoni Shongket’, veteran actress Babita is going to be honoured with the lifetime achievement award in India. She will be awarded at the 17th edition of ‘Tele Cine Award’ in Kolkata next month.

Babita will be honoured for her noteworthy contribution to both Bangladeshi and Indian cinema, general secretary of ‘Tele Cine Award’ Mrinmoy Kanjilal informed. Arshad Adnan, the frontman of Versatile Media--the award’s organising body from Bangladesh--also confirmed the news.

Babita said about the award, “The lifetime achievement award of ‘Tele Cine Award’ is an enormous international recognition. I am grateful to Versatile Media for selecting me from Bangladesh. The award reminds me all cherished memories that I spent with Satyajit Ray and Soumitra Chatterjee. ‘Oshoni Shongket’ brought me huge recognition internationally. I get surprised when I think that many years have passed since then. The recognition would fulfil the role of ‘Oshoni Shongket’ in my life. I seek blessings from everyone.”

Babita will receive the award at the 17th Tele Cine Award ceremony at 5pm on June 2 at Nazrul Mancha in Kolkata, India.

On the other hand, Babita is going to receive the lifetime achievement award at National Film Award 2016 of Bangladesh this year.

Photo courtesy : Mohsin Ahmed