Nawba Tahiya eases into the spotlight

In an industry where young actors often stumble under the weight of early fame, Nawba Tahiya Hossain has managed to do something rare—grow naturally into the spotlight. Barely out of her teens, she has already carried dramas that racked up millions of views and made her OTT debut alongside big names. Her story begins at the premises of Bangladesh Shishu Academy, where a little girl once sat with other children on Thursdays, learning how to recite poems and speak with confidence.

"I was asked to host a show out of nowhere, and I just went with it. Looking back, I think it was a sign."

That "sign" turned into appearances on BTV children's programmes, then hosting, then dramas. Tahiya insists none of it was planned. "It wasn't my dream—it was my mother's vision," she reflects. "She wanted me to never stutter in anything—not in words, not in life."

For a time, she was simply another familiar face in lighthearted romantic dramas. But then came "Chupi Chupi", written and directed by Imraul Rafat. Opposite Niloy Alamgir, Tahiya played the comedic female lead. The drama exploded, crossing 19 million YouTube views and trending at number one for two weeks.

That opportunity solidified her position as more than just another fresh face—it proved she could carry a project, and it introduced her to a far wider audience.

Her first step into streaming came with "Punormilone", directed by Mizanur Rahman Aryan, where she acted alongside Siam Ahmed and Tasnia Farin. It could have been easy to be lost in such a star-heavy ensemble, but her role stood out.

After that, she has ventured into her recent project, the web-film "Noya Note", directed by Anonno Proteek Chowdhuri, which added fresh momentum to her career.

If there's one thing audiences notice, it's her refusal to overdo a role. Even in the web-film, Tahiya plays her character with authenticity.

"If a rich girl falls for a middle-class boy, her accent shouldn't drip with money. It has to feel real." she said.

Unlike many child stars, Tahiya has never let her studies slip into the background. While talking about balancing her work and studies, she said, "I don't try to balance. When I study, I only study; when I work, I only work. Even if I get home at 7 a.m. from a shoot, I'll still open my books before class."

That matter-of-fact approach has made her stand out as a Gen Z actress who values education as much as professionalism.

In the past two years, the actress has often been paired with Partho Sheikh in audience-favorite dramas including "Mitthe Kabber Ful" and "Amar Thikana Tumi". Their on-screen chemistry has sparked an online ship-culture, but she is careful to keep perspective.

"We're very good colleagues. We keep it professional because the audience loves us—but we both have our own lives."

For now, she's in no rush to make the jump to the silver screen. "I don't think I'm going to do films in the next five years," she says firmly. "I want to flourish here first—then earn my poster on every wall."

Her list of dream directors includes Shihab Shaheen, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, and Shafayet Mansoor Rana, whose "Closeup Kache Ashar Golpo" telefilms inspired her as a child.

Read more

‘Noya Note’, like its name, is crisp and fresh

From a girl reciting verses at Shishu Academy to a trending star of YouTube dramas and Chorki web films, Nawba Tahiya's rise has been natural. Guided by her mother's foresight, and admired for her honesty on-screen, she has become a Gen Z inspiration—one who doesn't chase fame but lets it come naturally.