Misha Sawdagor explains why Bangladeshi artists leaving country

A growing number of Bangladeshi actors, musicians and performers have settled abroad in recent years—permanently or temporarily.

Speaking on a television show, Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association president and popular actor Misha Sawdagor directly addressed the reasons behind this rising trend, saying the lack of work in the industry is the main cause.

“Artists have nothing to do when there’s no work,” he said. “There was a time when I acted in four to five films a day, shooting from morning till late night. Now the FDC is almost inactive. Those who left—Amit Hasan, Moushumi, Emon, Alexander Bo, and many others—didn’t want to leave. Even Mahiya Mahi is now in the US. If work existed, no one would leave.”

Misha, whose own family lives in the United States, said many artistes face heavy lifestyle pressure despite limited opportunities. “Whether we get work or not, we have to maintain a certain standard—appearance, clothes, cars, phones, home environment. We work for our families. But if work dries up, what options remain?”

He added that moving abroad often provides stability and better prospects for earning and supporting families, making relocation a forced decision rather than a choice.

Misha believes that once film production increases again, many expatriate artistes will return and the industry will regain its vibrancy.