Shomi Kaiser: In search of excellence
If I hadn't become an actress, I definitely would have been a singer...or maybe an architect," says Shomi Kaiser, a celebrated actress of our theatre and electronic media. Indeed, the initial interest of the popular heroine of many TV plays was in music and hardly in acting.

"Director Atiqul Haque Chowdhury once spotted me at a musical programme," recalls Shomi. "He was looking for a girl who could speak the native Noakhali dialect for his play titled Keba Apon Keba Por. And as I am from Noakhali, he asked me to do the role." After a little hesitation, Shomi finally agreed to perform. And the audience response showed that they liked the new girl on the block.


However, Shomi at that stage did not have any plans to enter the acting arena. She was rather planning to study at a foreign university. It was at that time that Abdullah Al Mamun sent producer Fakhrul Abedin Dulal to Shomi asking her to do another role.

It was the three-episode play Joto Durey Jai based on a novel of Imdadul Haque Milon. Shomi's acting in the role of a cancer-affected girl won the audience's hearts.


"It also altered my decision," says Shomi. She stayed back home and went on performing scores of different kinds of roles in many popular TV plays and serials such as Nakkhotrer Raat, Chhoto Chhoto Dheu, Sparsho, Ekjona, Ariyana, Akashey Anek Raat, Mukti, Antorey Nirantor, Swapno, Thikana and many more.


Besides the electronic medium, Shomi Kaiser has also been a successful name on stage. A member of Dhaka Theatre, Shomi's creditable stage plays include mainly Haat Hodai in which she acted against Shahiduzzaman Selim. "Theatre is the place where one actually develops their talent," asserts Shomi adding, "Most of the young generation performers lack acting skills."

At present, Shomi is busy with her production house Dhansiri Production. Initially, after my mother's suggestion we decided to make plays and telefilms on our Liberation War. We have made Mukti and Antorey Nirantor--written by my mother, Panna Kaiser." Later, however, the house changed its policy. "At present, we are more into ad films. I'm also making a 26-episode drama serial from my house," says Shomi. Titled Tomay Dilam Prithibi, the serial is based on Shomi's story of two companies.


Shomi's talents are evident on the silver screen. She has performed in two films: Lalon and Hason Raja. "I was not expecting much from Hason Raja as it was made completely from a commercial point of view. But Lalon has really been one of my favourite works," says Shomi. She has featured in another film, The Name of a River, based on the biography of eminent filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak. "Unfortunately, the film hasn't been shown in Bangladesh," says Shomi.


One of Shomi's dreams is to make a film of Shangshaptak, the novel by her martyred father Shahidullah Kaiser. "The drama serial based on the novel was a super hit. So, I believe, the film should equally be great." However, Shomi has not yet decided when she is going to undertake that enterprise.

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Acting, My profession and passion -

Bijori Barkatullah

Bijori Barkatullah, famous name in TV dramas of Bangladesh. First appearance on television was in a show called “Ma k niye” when she was only two and half years old. Her debut drama in Bangladesh Television was “Shukher Chharpotro” in 1988. So far she has acted in more than 300 drama serials. Apart from drama, she also appeared in 7 advertising campaigns. Here we present a little interview with this beautiful, talented artist:

>> What are your recent projects that you have done?

: I’m working in a mega serial called “Bandhan” in Ekushay TV. Just finished a single drama named “Brishtir Shobdo”. There’s a chance of changing the name of the drama. I’m also considering some other offers.

>> Have you worked on the stage?

: I worked on the stage long time back. Not with any group, rather I worked as Repertory of Theater Art, in a epic called “Kirtinasha”.

>> Will you work in stage dramas regularly?

: Yes, I would like to do. But time management is the only problem for me regarding stage performance.

>> Did you ever take part in films?

: No I didn’t. I worked in a short film called “NurJahan”.

>> Do you have any intention to act in films?

: Not much. Not in the commercial films, but if I get any offer for a suitable roll in any decent family movie, then may be I’ll think about it.

>> What else do you do apart from acting?

: I am a dance artist. But lately I’m not having enough time to concentrate on dancing. I’ve taken acting as my profession.

>> What are your future plans?

: Actually I don’t do anything planwise. Rather I always try to concentrate on my present works.

>> What about your family life? How is it going?

: It’s good. I spend my time in acting, only after fulfilling my family needs.

>> Did you go to any cultural tour abroad?

: Many times. India, Bhutan, Myanmer, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, Dubai, Qatar, England, Italy, America—I travelled all these countries with the reason of cultural tours. England was the most beautiful country I’ve seen.

>> Say something about the channels of our country.

: It seems that Ekushay TV is promoting quality programs. I don’t get time to see the other channels many often. But it’s clear that other channels are still in backfoot if compared with Ekushay TV.

>> Which thing attracts you most in this city?

: Dhaka city at night is my favorite. When I’m on my way to home at night after packing up shooting, the jamless highways, neon lights are simply fabulous. It’s a completely different picture of Dhaka city by that time.

>> What else would you be if you were not an actress?

: I would be a teacher.

>> What is your dream?

: To stay in mental peace always.

>> How do you evaluate your success?

: As an actress, my success is a subject to be evaluated by the audience. I don’t think I can do that.

>> And as a human being?

: I am honest and that is my my success.

>> Do you have any wish to write drama script or making drama?

: Not yet. But if more channels appear, then I’ll think about producing drama serials.

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