Acting is not my profession, it's my passion: Tamalika Karmaker

Tamalika Karmaker sure knows how to command the stage, and the camera. Both on screen and on stage, she can do no wrong, as her fans will testify. In an interview with The Daily Star, she talked about her love affair with acting.

“Being on the screen and theatre are two very different experiences. Being on stage is possibly one of my best experiences. I still remember when I first joined Aranyak Natya Dal. I cried because I was so scared to perform in front of so many people -- without any retake, cuts or anything; you simply have to be perfect and courageous enough to face it,” she said.

“I was young when I joined Aranyak almost 22 years ago. I am not there just for acting, but also to participate in all the spheres that my troupe can offer. Theatre has become a part of me. And this only happened because I love acting. Acting is not my profession, it's my passion. It has permeated into my being to such an extent that my sole dedication and devotion has become life in front of the camera and on stage.

“One of the most important characters of an actor is to slip into their role with ease. To be an actor, you need to study in depth for a particular role. No one should act for mere name and fame. These days rising stars act just for the sake of acting. Ask any true actor and they will tell you the sacrifices they have made. 

“To be a perfectionist, there has to be a role model. For me, it was my mother. She was my inspiration. She was in Aranyak and I followed her footsteps. She lit the path of my glory and brought me here.”