In 1991, actress Rozina last visited Cox’s Bazar for a film shoot. Since then, 34 years have passed without her setting foot on the beautiful shores of the sea. Recently, however, Rozina returned to the city—not by road, but by train, marking a significant moment in her journey. She stayed for a few days, combining leisure with photoshoots.
Upon her arrival, Rozina couldn’t hide her excitement, though she felt a pang of nostalgia as many familiar landmarks had changed. She shared her thoughts with the media: “I hardly recognize any of the places. There are so many hotels and resorts, the infrastructure has changed drastically! I expected some changes, but not to this extent. It’s a bit painful, too, because so many of the places I cherished are no longer the same.”
Rozina’s decision to travel by train instead of by air also had a special reason behind it. She explained, “The station is close to my home in Uttara, but I had never traveled by train. This time, I thought I would give it a try. I even took some photos early in the morning. The AC cabin was quite comfortable, and the journey through our country’s rivers, lakes, and canals was simply mesmerizing. Many people shared memories of my old photos, and it brought back so many wonderful memories. It was a great journey overall. By the time I reached Cox’s Bazar station in the afternoon, all my travel fatigue vanished. The station has been beautifully renovated.”
In the ’90s, Rozina frequently visited Cox’s Bazar for film shoots, and many of her successful films were shot there. The city holds a special place in her heart, and she reminisced, “Back then, I would always travel to Cox’s Bazar for shoots in September or October. I spent so many days and nights working there, filled with fun conversations and memories from the golden days of cinema.”
Rozina’s connection to Cox’s Bazar is also tied to bittersweet memories. Her last shoot in Cox’s Bazar in 1991 featured actor Zafar Iqbal. Shortly after they wrapped up filming and returned to Dhaka, Zafar Iqbal passed away, which left Rozina deeply moved. Reflecting on that time, she said, “He was healthy when we shot, but after arriving in Dhaka, I heard he had fallen ill and was hospitalized. It’s hard to forget the last days of that work together.”
Contributor: Tareque Hasan
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