Bangladeshi movie star in Waterloo to see son graduate

Anik Islam grew up in Dhaka, Bangladesh, a city of millions, with a mother whose fame meant every time they left their home, they were swarmed by her adoring fans.

On Saturday, it will be Islam’s turn to be on stage when he graduates from the University of Waterloo. His number-one fan in the crowd will be his mother — renowned Bangladeshi film superstar, Babita.

Photo credit: Bernard Weil, Toronto Star

“Convocation is the day when my true emotions are going to triumph over my acting. On that day, my tears will be real,” says Babita.

Babita recently arrived in Canada to see her son graduate, on the Dean’s Honours List, with a degree in electrical engineering. She will spend two months here before returning to a busy life of acting and philanthropy.

Actor and philanthropist

Babita has received critical acclaim for her performances in more than 200 films and is a cultural icon in Bangladesh. While her career began in the 1970s, she is still actively working in the film industry, and has most recently been acclaimed for her portrayal of oppressed women. She is best known for her performance in Distant Thunder, a film about the Bengal famine of 1943. Babita is actively involved in non-profit organizations that support mothers and children in developing countries, especially Distressed Children & Infants International.

Babita and her son spoke on the telephone or Skyped every day during the five years he spent studying in Waterloo. “I just needed to hear his voice,” she says with her son translating.  As a single mother, Babita said it was difficult to have her only child so far away.

“I feel so proud of my son,” says Babita. “We love Waterloo and he’s happy here now.”

Waterloo co-op program

Islam said he knew he wanted to study abroad so, while in high school in Dhaka, he searched the internet for the “best universities in Canada.” When reading about the University of Waterloo he knew immediately that it was the right school for him because of its reputation as a top engineering school and the co-operative education program.

“It just seemed like a great idea to work and study at the same time,” says Islam. “When I found out Waterloo had been doing co-op for a long time, I was assured they would have the right connections.”

Islam, who wants to work locally with a small business or startup, says Waterloo was the perfect place for him to land, partly because he enjoys life without the constant crush of fame.  “I’m not one for the limelight,” he says.