Being ‘Kabori’s heroine’ is my achievement: Salwa

Actress Nishat Salwa lamented the death of veteran actress Sarah Begum Kabori, who was the director of Salwa's debut film.

"The best achievement of my life is that everyone knows me as the heroine of Kabori. This is my biggest achievement because my film career started with it," she told The Business Standard today.

Kabori had signed Salwa for her film "Ei Tumi Sei Tumi" made with a government grant recently, which wrapped up shooting and dubbing was going on.

"I first met her on 16 March in 2019 at FDC. Then I signed the contract for that film. The shooting had also started. We rehearsed at her house before the shooting. That's when I realised what a big-hearted person Kabori Apa was," said Salwa.

Salwa remarked that she had spoken with Kabori for the last time on 5 April.

"I wanted to meet her. But Kabori Apa asked me not to come as she had a fever," Salwa said, adding, "In our last conversation, she asked me to take rest and we will finish the rest of the work of the movie after her recovery."

"I have a hard time believing that Kabori Apa is no more. I can't accept it," she expressed grief while talking over the phone on Saturday.

Salwa recalled how Kabori used to encourage her to perform better during the shooting.  

"She used to say that people will see only me in movies and not my background," Salwa said further.

Kabori breathed her last at 12:20am Saturday in Sheikh Russel Gastro Liver Institute and Hospital, Dhaka, her son Shaker Chisty confirmed.

She was laid to eternal rest at the Banani graveyard in Dhaka, followed by her namaz-e-janaza and state guard of honour.