Babita Dedicates Ekushey Padak to Zahir Raihan
Veteran Bangladeshi actress Babita has been awarded the Ekushey Padak 2026 for her exceptional contribution to the country’s film industry. She has dedicated the prestigious state honor to legendary filmmaker Zahir Raihan, who introduced her to cinema.
The government announced the names of the Ekushey Padak recipients on Thursday. This year, nine individuals and one institution have been selected for the honor in recognition of their outstanding achievements.
Reacting to the announcement, Babita said she was deeply grateful and happy to receive the award, even though it came later in her life. She shared that she has been overwhelmed by congratulatory messages from admirers and well-wishers since the news was made public.
Expressing gratitude, the actress thanked Almighty Allah for keeping her healthy and said receiving such a national honor during her lifetime is a matter of great fortune. She also conveyed sincere thanks to the state and the selection committee for recognizing her lifelong dedication to cinema.
Babita began her acting career in 1968 as a child artist in Zahir Raihan’s film Songsar, where she portrayed the daughter of actors Razzak and Suchanda. That film marked the beginning of her successful journey in Bangladeshi cinema.
Remembering her mentor, Babita said she entered the film industry through Zahir Raihan’s guidance, which is why she chose to dedicate her Ekushey Padak to him with respect and gratitude.
She won her first National Film Award for Best Actress for Badi Theke Begum in 1975, followed by awards for Nayanmoni (1976) and Basundhara (1977). Over the years, she earned more National Film Awards for films such as Ramer Sumati, Hason Raja, Ke Apon Ke Por, and Pokamakorer Ghorbosti as a producer.
In 2016, Babita was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her remarkable contribution to cinema. She also gained international recognition for her role in Ashani Sanket, directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Satyajit Ray.
