Farida Akhtar Poppy, professionally known as Babita, is a renowned Bangladeshi film actress with a remarkable career spanning several decades. Her most notable performance was in Satyajit Ray's critically acclaimed film, Distant Thunder, a poignant adaptation of the novel about the devastating Bengal famine of 1943, which garnered the prestigious Golden Bear prize at the 23rd Berlin International Film Festival in 1973.
Throughout her illustrious career, Babita remained active in the Bangladeshi film industry from the 1970s to the 1990s, impressively acting in a staggering 275 films. Her remarkable talent was recognized with numerous accolades, including the National Film Award in 1975, which marked the beginning of her winning streak of three consecutive best actress prizes.
Babita's impressive trophy cabinet also boasts the Best Actor award in 1986, the Best Producer award in 1997, and two Best Supporting Actress Awards in 2002 and 2012. Furthermore, she was honored with the lifetime achievement award of the National Film Award in 2016, a testament to her enduring impact on the Bangladeshi film industry.
In a rare gesture of international recognition, Bob Dubey, the mayor of Richardson, a city in North Texas, officially declared August 5 as "Babita Day" in 2023, a tribute to her remarkable contributions to the world of cinema.
