Ahmed Azam: For years, Mehazabien Chowdhury faced the same question from all directions: “When will you do a film?” Despite her immense success in television dramas, web series, and other media, she would smile and dodge the question. She never said it aloud, but deep down, she knew the day would come. She just wanted it to be the right story—one that would resonate with her, challenge her as an actor, and mark a new chapter in her life. That story arrived with Saba.

The film revolves around the struggles of a young woman coping with the loss of her father while caring for her ailing mother. The 90-minute feature was co-written by Maksud Hossain and Trilora Khan. Trilora drew inspiration from her own mother while shaping the character. Mehazabien brought Saba to life on screen.

Reading the script for the first time, Mehazabien felt a tremor inside. A daughter grieving her father, fighting to survive with her sick mother—it was simple, yet profoundly deep. “I knew right away,” she said, “this was not something I could walk away from. I had to do it.”

From that moment, a transformation began within her. Countless rehearsals, sleepless nights of preparation—before even facing the camera, she had already become someone new. “I’m not naturally brave,” Mehazabien admitted. “But Saba taught me how to be. Every scene, every emotion of a daughter fighting for her mother changed me from within.”

When the trailer for Saba dropped last Sunday, it stirred a wave of emotion across social media. In just ninety seconds, viewers saw playful moments between mother and daughter, followed by heartbreak and silence. The struggle to survive with a sick parent was portrayed so authentically that audiences were instantly moved. The director managed to convey the emotional depth of the film in a short span, while Mehazabien’s performance—her expressions, her eyes—brought joy and sorrow to life.

Many viewers shared personal reflections: “It reminded me of losing my mother 22 years ago,” one wrote. Another said, “I’ll watch this film holding my mother’s hand.” Saba is not just a movie—it’s a story of emotional exchange between mother and child. Mehazabien herself invited audiences to experience the film with their mothers, if possible. Veteran actress Rokeya Prachy plays the mother, while Mostafa Monwar appears as Ankur. Their first collaboration with Mehazabien added a fresh dynamic to the film.

Director Maksud Hossain, known for two decades of short films and commercials, makes his feature-length debut with Saba. For him, it’s a dream come true. For Mehazabien, it was a challenge. “The entire team was new. It was the director’s first full-length film. But after completing it, I realized—we made the right choice.”

Saba began its international journey in 2024 at the Toronto International Film Festival, followed by screenings in Busan, Red Sea, Gothenburg, Osaka, and Dallas. At the Bengaluru International Film Festival, it won third prize in the Asian Cinema Competition. For Mehazabien, the experience was surreal. “Different languages, different cultures—yet people laughed during the happy scenes, stayed silent during the sad ones, and some even cried.”

She added, “After the show, I saw many viewers in tears. I used to think only Bengalis were emotional. But standing there, I realized—human emotions are universal. Stories and characters move everyone.” As an actress, she hopes her roles can truly connect with audiences. “I’ve never played a character like this before. Saba was a completely new experience for me.”

For director Maksud Hossain, Saba is not just a film—it’s a journey of emotion. Despite its global screenings, his heart remains with the audience at home. Finally, the film is set to release in Bangladesh during the Puja festival. With growing excitement around Bangladeshi cinema, Mehazabien believes the time is now. She’s confident that Bangladeshi stories are not only relevant to us, but also to the world.

She believes, “This is just the beginning. Bangladesh has made it to the Cannes Film Festival again. Soon, our talent will shine globally. But for that, we need more collaboration within the industry—to move cinema forward together.”

To Mehazabien, Saba is more than a film—it’s an experience, a journey, a chapter that touched her soul. And for the audience? It’s the eternal bond between mother and child, brought to life on screen, straight to the heart.