"My confidence grew with each award,"-- Momo

This is one star who knew what she wanted to be right from childhood. It's not the 'by chance I came into the media' story. From the age of three Momo had been training herself for this day. "I dreamt of being a star for as long as I can remember. I am so lucky that I had my parents' support."

Born in Brahmanbaria, Momo's mother is a lecturer at a college and father a businessman. "I am proud to be from Brahmanbaria, a place with a rich cultural heritage. The love and support I got during the competition from the entire city was amazing." Momo had been enrolled in the Alauddin Sangeet Angon even before she could read. "There is culture and history in each one of its walls and I believe that had a positive impact on me."

Lichu Chor by Nazrul was the first poem Momo ever recited for which she won a prize. Soon she got involved in dancing. Seeing her interest her parents thought it would be a good idea to bring her to Dhaka once a week for advanced training in dancing. Shiblee Mohammad was her first dance instructor in Dhaka and Kabirul Islam Rattan her guru. That was way back in 1992 and she continued with the practice for eight long years in which she mastered Kathak and folk dance. In 2001 Momo's family shifted bag and baggage to Dhaka for the sake of this soon to be star.

Not long before Momo became a known face among the category of child artistes. She won the gold medal in the Jatiyo Shikhkha Shoptaho Puroshkar, Jatiyo Sheeshu Shilpi puroshkar, Notun Kuri and many more. "My dreams began to expand as I knew I could achieve better. My confidence grew with each new award." In the meantime Momo had also toured South Korea, Turkey and Malaysia as a member of the cultural group representing Bangladesh in those countries.

After dancing her next step were serials. Her first serial was against Zahid Hassan in 2001. It was aired on ETV and was based on Nazrul's Meher Neger.

A Sagittariun, Momo had passed out from Dhaka City College and was in her first year in Jahangirnagar University when her brother saw the ad for the Lux Channel i superstar competition. "My exams were going on and I didn't want to apply for it initially.

But as I saw my family wanted it so much I applied knowing that I could tackle both my exams and the competition at the same time. I can work very hard to attain something positive," she asserts.

Sharing her emotion and experience during the competition Momo says, "When I got through the first round I was scared and confused. I felt that my complexion was dark and I wasn't as beautiful as the other girls. However, my father's belief in me and my mother's support carried me through. Later the judge's comments also gave me the boost I needed."

The shooting of Daruchinir dwipe will begin from December. "I am lucky to be working with the who's who of the media world at the very beginning of my career. I want to concentrate on my first movie with utmost dedication. I hope I won't let my well wishers down," says Momo.

With her wings spread out to fly, Momo is ready for the challenges the film industry has to offer. "Unlike a few years back, we have excellent directors, producers and scripts. Hence I believe that golden era of the 60s will return to Bangladeshi movies and while the transition period is on I want to be a part of it and do my bit," she concludes.