Shabana is one of the brightest names of the golden era of Bengali cinema, an actress who captivated audiences across generations. The legendary performer celebrates her birthday today, June 15 (Monday), turning 75.
She was born on this day in 1952 in Dabua village of Raozan upazila in Chattogram. Her real name is Afroza Sultana Ratna. When she began acting in films under the filmmaker Ehtesham Haider Chowdhury, she was given the name “Shabana,” and under that name she became an unforgettable chapter of Bengali cinema.
Shabana began acting as a child. She first faced the camera as a child artist in the 1962 film “Notun Sur,” then made her debut as a leading actress in the 1967 film “Chokori.” She won audiences over in that very first film.
She acted in 130 films as a pair with Alamgir. She also worked with Razzak, Wasim and Ujjal, gaining wide popularity. Audiences also liked her alongside the Pakistani actor Nadeem.
In her personal life, Shabana married director Wahid Sadik in 1973. She is the mother of two daughters and a son. At the height of her popularity, she abruptly moved to the United States with her family in 2000. She lived in New York at first but now lives in New Jersey with her husband, children and grandchildren.
Over an acting career of nearly 36 years, Shabana appeared in 299 films. Her notable films include “Chokori,” “Modhu Milon,” “Obujh Mon,” “Chand Suraj,” “Ekoi Ongey Eto Roop,” “Chhodmobeshi,” “Chhondo Hariye Gelo,” “Chowdhury Bari,” “Shomadhan,” “Swikriti,” “Ora 11 Jon,” “Otithi,” “Jhorer Pakhi,” “Jononi,” “Matir Ghor,” “Shokhi Tumi Kar,” “Shesh Uttor,” “Chhutir Ghonta,” “Najma,” “Bhaat De,” “Dui Poysar Alta,” “Rojonigondha,” “Lalu Bhulu,” “Ma O Chhele,” “Lal Kajol,” “Nalish,” “Ghorer Bou,” “Shokhinar Juddho,” “Notun Prithibi,” “Himmotwali,” “Basera,” “Halchal,” “Chapa Dangar Bou,” “Oshanti,” “Birodh” and “Shami Stri.”
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