Heera: Heart to heart

Welcome back! Tell us what's new in your life. 

I am now taking acting in drama serials very seriously. Previously, I was focusing just on modelling. But since last year, I'm heavily working on television. The positive response I'm getting is encouraging me to do more.  

There was a time when I used to shy away from acting. But now, I have changed in that sense; I enjoy working as an actor. As I said, the admirations I receive from my fans keep me going. I am now very much into acting in television. Of course that doesn't mean I will stop modelling.

Do you think there is a large audience for TV series? 
Indeed, there has been a bad time, but I think the industry is gradually recovering. These days, the audience is returning to Bangladeshi channels; attraction towards other channels is decreasing.

Are you interested in doing films too or just TV Series for the time-being?
I've been offered roles in films. I even read some scripts. But most of their stories are so ordinary. I won't sign up for one until I feel that the script is worthwhile. I'm not interested in doing one of those typical movies. I do not want to do films just for the sake of it and will only accept an offer if the story moves me.

Movies should elevate my position in my career and in the industry. There are many people from our modelling field who had done movies without much success. I am therefore picky. 

Are these offers for mainstream films?

Yes, although I did get film offers from movie directors from the TV industry too and some of these directors are doing a fabulous job. There was a time when my attitude towards doing movies was a complete no-no. I'm now more open to it. Times have changed, and more and more impressive projects are coming up. There is also scope for joint ventures between Kolkata and Dhaka. I am waiting for the right script.

Which film stars would you like to work with? 

Shakib Khan is one artist who is hugely popular across different segments of people. I did get an offer for a film that co-starred him. I refused: I didn't like the script and also I wasn't really a big fan of his at that time. I did a live performance where he was there too. I just didn't like his style back then. But I now realise that he is the biggest star in our industry. I would also like to work with Shuvo. 

And Ananta Jalil?

He did offer me for a movie but I refused. He's an entertainer; he has given audience amusement for sure!  I don't know whether he's really like that in person! 

Let's talk about something else. How is your love life going right now? 

Everybody falls in love, and often falls out of it too. I am no different. I'm not in a relationship right now. 

Actually, none of my exes are from media. I'm not comfortable dating someone in this industry. I think it might create complexities, with all the rumours and gossips that breed and fly about in the air. But who knows, I might end up falling for someone in the media: you can't exactly plan out whom to fall in love with.  

You're not comfortable with going into a relationship with someone from media. But a lot of people outside it, generally speaking, hold negative perceptions about the industry and those who work in it.

That's true, but not everyone is like that. Nowadays many people separate out gossip from reality and respect the media and its people. 

How do you deal with gossips about you?

I don't think I faced anything serious. Gossips and rumours are nothing new. It's how you present yourself and deal with it. Media is a colourful world but it's a slippery one too.

So you must be careful and know how to handle these things. I don't pay heed to any rumours or offensive things said about me.

How did you manage in the beginning?

I think this is the first time I'm saying this in an interview: my father was so angry and disappointed when I joined this industry that he did not speak to me for about a year.

Actually, the previous generations saw working in the media as some sort of a taboo. But my mother was very supportive of me. 

If you have support, focus, determination and confidence, there's nothing you can't achieve. 

Interviewed by Rafi Hossain & narrated by Himadri  

Photo: Shahrear Kabir Hemeel,
Makeup & Styling: Farzana Munni