Badhon reached the top five in the 2006 Lux Channel i Superstar pageant, which built her confidence and paved the way for the realisation of many of her dreams. The platform provided by the competition also steered her towards her first major acting role — a spot in a Humayun Ahmed play.
She made her debut in “Bua Bilash”, a play written and directed by Humayun Ahmed. Badhon says, “I will never forget my first play. It was that play which introduced me to the audience.”
She followed up her performance in “Bua Bilash” by working in the 26- episode serial “Chondrokotha”, also directed by Humayun Ahmed. Playing one of the lead roles in the serial had a great impact on her career, Badhon acknowledges. Later, she also worked in several other plays by Humayun Ahmed.
Some of her most notable works over the years include the serials “Choita Pagol”, “Meyeti Dhakae Jachche”, “Ogniroth” and “Chand Phool Omaboshya”. She also worked in some talked about one-hour-dramas.
Her first modelling gig was for Sunsilk Shampoo; but her fame as a model came on the heels of commercials for Warid and Tibet. Badhon says the Warid commercial, where she paired up with Aurthohin frontman Sumon, was widely appreciated.
Badhon recently shot a new commercial at BFDC, directed by Amitabh Reza, which will be aired on television soon.
Taking a year-and-a half break after becoming a mother, Badhon returned to acting this year with one-hour plays. Among the three dramas she did after her return, the first two were directed by Chayanika Chowdhury.
Currently, she is working on a 300-episode drama, titled “Akash Meghe Dhaka”, directed by Jewel Mahmud. Twenty-six of the episodes have already been shot at Uttara, with the serial scheduled to be aired on SA TV.
Asked why she chose such an extended serial, Badhon says, “I didn’t plan on doing a serial now. Director Jewel Mahmud is supporting me a lot. The entire unit is also helping me. Without their assistance, I wouldn’t have been able to take on such a huge project.”
In “Akash Meghe Dhaka”, Badhon plays the role of Bonna. The story revolves around her character, while many facets of Bonna’s personality will be revealed throughout the drama. At one point, the woman is also widowed.
Asked about her role, Badhon answers, “In the beginning the play will show a spirited young girl. But the turn of events will make the girl a widow and she goes through a change. The role is very challenging for me.”
Badhon has no plans of taking on any more serials at the moment. The ongoing serial requires seven-eight days of shooting a month, while she also has to give attention to her daughter. This is the reason why she wishes to limit the number of her projects at the moment.
On “Akash Meghe Dhaka”, Badhon says, “It is very hard to get a good character nowadays. Good stories are also slim pickings. Mir Sabbir and Pallab are working with me on the serial.”
Apart from acting and modelling, Badhon is also a dentist. She studied at Dhanmondi’s Bangladesh Medical College. Badhon has plans of opening a dental clinic with her childhood friend Suraiya Iqbal.
Badhon’s plans at the moment centre on the 300-episode serial for the next year or so. If there are good scripts available, she is open to working on some one -hour dramas and modelling gigs as well.
-With The Daily Star input
