It had been 34 long years since actress Rozina last visited Cox’s Bazar. In 1991, she was there for a film shoot—her last time at the iconic beach town. Now, in 2025, she’s returned—not for filming, but for a vacation and a few photoshoots. On Thursday morning, she arrived not by air, but by train. From there, she spoke with Prothom Alo via WhatsApp.
Rozina was visibly moved upon returning to a place filled with so many memories, though she admitted she hardly recognized the town. “Everything’s changed—so many hotels, resorts, new structures. I expected some change, but not this much. It’s a little sad too. The places where I once worked, built memories—they’re gone,” she said.
Her choice to travel by train was deliberate. “There’s a station near my house in Uttara, and I never really used it. This time, I thought—why not take the train? I took some pictures early in the morning. The AC compartment was very comfortable. I was mesmerized by the scenery through the window—the rivers, haors, canals. It was a beautiful experience. Once I reached the newly decorated Cox’s Bazar station, all the travel fatigue disappeared,” Rozina shared.
Throughout the 1990s, Rozina would frequently visit Cox’s Bazar for shoots. Many of her hit films were shot there. “Every September or October, I’d be here for some project. Days and nights would pass in shoots, filled with laughter, stories, and camaraderie. I’m reminded of the golden days of Bangladeshi cinema,” she recalled.
But the town also holds painful memories. Her last shoot in 1991 was with actor Zafar Iqbal, who passed away just weeks after they returned to Dhaka. “He was healthy, we worked together, and then he left Dhaka a bit after me. Suddenly I heard he was sick and hospitalized. It was heartbreaking. That shoot turned out to be our last work together,” Rozina said, her voice heavy with emotion.
In 1996, Rozina abruptly left the film industry and moved abroad. “I was tired from working nonstop. In 1991, I told everyone I wouldn’t take on any new projects. I completed the ones I had and left for London. I lost touch with everyone from the industry.”
After a decade-long break, she returned to the screen in Rakkhushi opposite Ferdous. In 2023, after 17 years, she made her directorial debut with Phire Dekha. Now, she plans to focus more on producing and directing. “Cinema is my world. I want to stay here, and I have several projects in the pipeline. I’ll share more soon,” she said.
Rozina is pleased with the recent success of local films during Eid but believes one or two hits a year aren’t enough. “The industry needs at least five to seven successful films annually. One or two won’t sustain it,” she emphasized.
For Rozina, Cox’s Bazar is more than just a scenic destination—it’s a place of memories, both sweet and sorrowful. With each wave and sunset, she revisits a chapter of her life once lived in front of the camera, alongside faces and voices that still echo in her heart.
