TBT DESK

Actress Suraiya Huda Ratri made her television debut in the late 1990s and quickly became familiar to audiences simply as Ratri. Her first drama was “Dhusor Boshonto”, followed by “Attahutir Pala”, a Liberation War-themed production that brought her considerable recognition. The drama also featured acclaimed actor Golam Mustafa.

She went on to appear in the one-hour drama “Rater Pakhi”, opposite Azizul Hakim. The production was well received, and the on-screen pairing of Azizul Hakim and Ratri subsequently appeared in several other dramas together.

Ratri now lives in the United States, where she has been settled for many years. Looking back on the turning point in her acting career, she said, “’Attahutir Pala’ changed my career completely. I received an overwhelming response from the audience. Many film directors approached me at the time, asking me to make my big-screen debut. Some even began visiting our home, but I never got around to doing films.”

She revealed that her family had initially been reluctant to let her act in television dramas. “I had to convince them by saying that I would only act in one drama,” she recalled.

Ratri also received a positive response for her performance in the telefilm “Agantuk” and earned praise for her role in the drama “Hiramon”. She continued to build her career with appearances in numerous productions.

Later, she joined Mamunur Rashid’s television series “Danob”, in which she once again starred opposite Azizul Hakim. “I received a lot of appreciation for my work in ‘Danob’. Overall, the dramas I have acted in have brought me so much love from audiences,” she said.

At the height of her popularity, Ratri moved to the United States. However, she returned to Bangladesh six years after her first departure and appeared in the series “Jol Pore Pata Nore”, directed by S A Haque Olike.

“That year, I went straight from the airport to the shooting location after landing in Bangladesh,” she recalled. “Even though I had been away for six years, I was pleasantly surprised to find that people still remembered my dramas.”

Revisiting those memories, she spoke of a time when television dramas were widely circulated on CDs. “CDs of my dramas were sold in New York. People would often mention the titles of my productions one after another. It felt wonderful to know they had watched and remembered my work.”

Despite living far from home for many years, Ratri continues to receive affection from Bangladeshi audiences. “People still recognise me. Sometimes someone will ask, ‘Aren’t you Ratri? I have watched your dramas.’ I find that quite amusing, and it gives me a lovely feeling,” she said.

She also recalled an unexpected encounter at Rifle Square in Dhaka. “One day, someone looked at me and asked, ‘Is that Ratri?’ We looked at each other for a while, and then I realised it was a friend from my school days. We met after so many years.”

Asked about her life in the United States, Ratri said she is currently employed at a pharmaceutical company, where she works in research.

“I have a respectable job at a pharmaceutical company, working in research. I am doing very well here. Life is good, although I have to remain quite busy,” she said.

Speaking about Bangladesh, she admitted that she still misses home and holds the country close to her heart. However, she is equally content with the life she has built in the United States.

“I miss Bangladesh and love my country very much. But I am happy here, too,” she said.