After nearly two decades of winning over television audiences, Sadia Jahan Prova is finally making her long-awaited transition to the big screen.
The popular Bangladeshi actress is set to appear in two government-funded films, marking her first theatrical ventures. The projects offer her distinctly different roles: ‘Dena Pawna’, directed by Sadeq Siddiqui, and ‘Dui Poishar Manush’, directed by Jhumur Asma Jui.
Prova has already completed the first phase of shooting for both productions. Although weather-related disruptions have delayed the next schedules, the actress says she is simply enjoying the experience of finally working in cinema.
‘I’m Getting the Full Heroine Experience’
Prova joked about how different the atmosphere of a film set feels compared with the television and advertising productions she has spent much of her career working on.
“I’m getting the full heroine experience,” she laughed.
She recalled how members of the crew have gone out of their way to take care of her on set, describing the attention as something she had rarely experienced during her television career.
“Someone’s holding an umbrella for me, someone’s cutting coconuts. Drama or ad sets are never this grand. Here, everyone takes special care. The respect I’ve received from the filmmakers has truly overwhelmed me,” she said.
For an actress who has spent around 20 years on the small screen, the experience represents a significant new stage in her career.
Two Films, Two Socially Charged Characters
Prova’s roles in the two films are markedly different, but both stories deal with social and economic realities.
In ‘Dena Pawna’, she plays a young woman from a financially struggling family who faces severe mental pressure from her in-laws because of dowry demands.
The role places her at the centre of a story dealing with the social consequences of dowry and the emotional suffering faced by women within vulnerable family structures.
In ‘Dui Poishar Manush’, adapted from a short story by Rabindranath Tagore, Prova portrays the daughter of a schoolteacher. Despite studying law, her character remains caught in circumstances shaped by hardship.
The contrasting characters give Prova an opportunity to explore different shades of social struggle while making her first appearance on the big screen.
Why Prova Waited So Long for Cinema
Film offers were not entirely unfamiliar to Prova. She had received opportunities earlier in her career but was unable to accept them.
At the time, her family was not supportive of the idea, while Prova herself was also too young to make such decisions independently.
Later, when she was in a position to choose for herself, another problem emerged: she did not find scripts that convinced her to make the leap.
“At one point, producers showed interest, but I couldn’t take the chance. Now I finally can. Let’s see where it goes,” she said.
After years of waiting, the actress now has two films providing her with an opportunity to finally test herself in cinema.
From a Beauty Advertisement to Television Stardom
Prova’s rise to fame began in 2005, when she appeared in a Meril Beauty Soap advertisement that quickly made her a recognisable face.
She subsequently became a familiar presence on Bangladeshi television, appearing in numerous dramas, telefilms and commercials.
Reflecting on her long career, Prova said she has never been someone who could comfortably carry the weight of celebrity.
“I can’t carry stardom,” she admitted.
Yet she sees that as both a weakness and a strength. Rather than allowing mistakes or difficult periods to end her career, she says she continued learning and moving forward.
“This industry has given me so much. I’ll remain grateful forever,” she said.
Balancing Acting With a Corporate Career
Prova’s professional life extends beyond entertainment.
She currently works as a brand director at an electrical company, maintaining a corporate career alongside her acting commitments.
She recalled that some people initially doubted whether she could manage such a demanding professional role.
“Many doubted if I could handle the job. But I love this life. My colleagues even call me a superwoman,” she said with a smile.
The combination of corporate responsibilities and acting has given Prova a career path that differs from that of many television performers.
Speaking About the Misuse of Personal Content
Prova has also experienced difficult moments away from the screen. At one point, material from her personal life was misused and circulated online.
She said her response to such incidents has changed with time.
“Before, I would cry. Now I think differently,” she said.
Prova also raised concerns about the availability and effectiveness of legal protection against the misuse of personal content. Referring to a legal case involving Aishwarya Rai in India, she questioned why similar legal remedies could not be more accessible in Bangladesh.
Her comments highlight a broader concern about privacy, digital abuse and the protection of public figures from unauthorised circulation of personal material.
Prova Looks Beyond Television
These days, Prova is appearing less frequently in television dramas. She says repetitive storylines and similar roles no longer offer the same creative attraction.
Instead, she is increasingly interested in OTT productions and cinema.
“I aspire to do good work in these two mediums,” she said.
Her first two films could therefore be the beginning of a broader shift in her career rather than a one-off experiment.
A New Chapter After 20 Years
Prova has spent roughly two decades building her reputation on television. Her move to the silver screen comes after years of waiting for the right circumstances and stories.
With ‘Dena Pawna’ and ‘Dui Poishar Manush’, she is finally getting the opportunity to introduce a different side of her acting to cinema audiences.
Whether the transition will lead to a sustained film career remains to be seen. But after two decades on television, Sadia Jahan Prova’s second act has officially begun—this time on the big screen.
