After a three-year ban, Anonno Mamun's film 'Makeup' finally hit cinemas last Friday. The Film Certification Board granted it a 'U' rating, making it suitable for audiences of all ages. The movie opened in 23 theatres nationwide.

'Makeup' features Nipa Ahmed Realy and Ziaul Roshan in the lead roles, while veteran actor Tariq Anam Khan also delivers a compelling performance. A day after its release, Realy, who made her silver screen debut with this project shares insights in an exclusive interview with The Daily Star.

Congratulations on making your silver screen debut. How has the response of the film since so far?

Thank you so much! I feel ecstatic that so many people complimented my work. Many also shared that my performance didn't feel like it was from someone acting in their first film. Even Tariq Anam Khan sir praised my acting. He spoke about it in front of journalists and the media, which is a huge honour for me. Several directors called to congratulate me, and I received bouquets from many people I didn't even know. It has truly been overwhelming.

The film was banned for a long time. Did that upset you?

Of course, it was very upsetting to know that the film was stuck for such a long time. However, as a part of the film, we always knew there was nothing in the story that warranted such a ban. Now that audiences are watching it, they're realising the same thing. The story never had anything controversial to justify being held up like that.

What reactions have you encountered since 'Makeup' was finally released?

Some of my acquaintances went to watch the film, and they later told me that initially, they had assumed there might be some scenes in the movie that led to its ban. But by the end of the film, they couldn't find anything of the sort. As soon as they came out of theatres, many commented that there was no reason to put a ban on this project for such a long time. However, everyone appreciated the story and the character I portrayed.

Why do you think you were chosen as the lead actress for this film?

The director wanted a fresh face for this story. After auditioning along with many other talented candidates, I was selected. I really wanted to do this role as the story intrigued me, and I was lucky enough that it all happened.

What does the film offer?

It's a romantic story that follows the journey of an ordinary girl who becomes a superstar, with a series of challenges and incidents along the way. The story also shows how she works hard to maintain her stardom. I feel like I've learned a lot from this character's journey. There might even be some parallels with the real-life film industry. My co-actors, Tariq Anam Khan and Ziaul Roshan, have delivered outstanding performances in their roles too.