Television’s beloved ‘Maa’ no more

"All these years, the love that I have received from fans and fellow artistes is unparalleled. I feel proud and emotional when my co-actors call me Maa," Sharmili Ahmed had said in her last interview with The Daily Star in May.

The entire entertainment industry was in mourning when the news broke of Sharmili's death at her Uttara home.

The 75-year-old artiste, who was suffering from cancer, barely took any break from the craft she loved so much -- acting. Her love for acting began at the age of four, in her first play on stage.

Born as Majeda Mollick in May 1947, she started her career in radio in 1962, in film in 1964 and in television in 1968. She went on to make history as a part of "Dompoti", the first drama serial of Bangladeshi Television.

Throughout her illustrious career, Sharmili went on to star in about 400 films and 150 tele-fictions -- with the latter parts portraying the role of a mother on screen. And what a mother she was -- her warmth, grace and simplicity won over the hearts of everyone who is least aware of films and television programmes in the country.

Among hundreds of her meticulous TV and film roles, she played notable ones in "Malancha"," Agun", "Abirvaab", "Poush Phaguner Pala", "Meherjaan", "Abar Hawa Bodol", "Brishtir Pore", "Amader Ananda Bari", "Anchol (2006)", "Aguntuk", "Poshak", "Chheleti", "Uposhonghar", "Chena Manusher Panchalee", and "Dhupchhaya".

Unfortunately, the veteran actress never won a National Film Award for her efforts. "It does not bother me at all," she had toldThe Daily Star. "The affection and respect that people show me, wherever I go, are my awards."

Many noted actors wrote on social media to pay tributes to the great actress. "The entire acting fraternity lost its Amma," wrote eminent actress Suborna Mustafa on Facebook. "Her earnest smile and grace were motherly -- Sharmili Aunty was truly the 'mother' of the screens," wrote Dhallywood 'king' Shakib Khan.

Sharmili's namaz-e-janaza was held after Juma prayers yesterday at the Uttara Sector-11 mosque. Later, she was laid to eternal rest at Banani Graveyard.