Shahjahan Shamrat: A decade to make it
A defining moment in his decade-long career, Shahjahan Shamrat made an unforgettable impact with his portrayal of Razzak in Shankha Dasgupta's "Priyo Maloti". Adding his own charm to the character of an empathetic friend, his on-screen persona brought life to the bond of friendship and communal harmony, making the audience emotional.
We recently sat down with the actor at The Daily Star for an exclusive photoshoot and an in-depth conversation about his craft, which he holds in the highest regard. While reflecting on his experience with "Priyo Maloti", he shared insights into his journey and much more.
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"A few days after the release of 'Priyo Maloti', I was flooded with appreciation messages and calls from loved ones and those who admire my work — it all felt like a dream," shared the actor.
Grateful for his newfound recognition, the actor remains in awe of the overwhelming love he has received. "Acting is like a form of worship for me," shared Shamrat. "I believe that alongside confidence, truly believing in a role is essential. With that conviction, even a 'gimmicky' commercial role can be made compelling for the audience."
Born and raised in Dhaka's Maniknagar, Shahjahan Shamrat was an active member of the theatre troupe Palakar from 2003 to 2007, performing in numerous productions during his formative years. His passion for acting was so profound that he even missed his admission exam at Dhaka University. "I had a show of 'Maharaja' on the same day, so I missed the test!" he recalled.
In 2007, the actor considered venturing into television, since it would earn him popularity overnight. He made his debut with Sumon Anowar's television drama "Jatishwar" that year. However, things didn't work out the way he thought. "At the time, I was caught in a whirlwind of thoughts, believing that if I wanted, I could achieve overnight fame. There was a certain madness driving me. However, it took me a while to realise that things don't always go as per our expectations."
Keeping his hopes high, he remained optimistic, focusing on television projects only. He was featured in tele-fictions "Bhasha O Maa", "Malar Prithibi", "Baishe Srabon", and "Bhool", among others. He made his OTT debut with Sumon Anowar's "Shodor Ghater Tiger" and earned critical acclaim for his role in Amitabh Reza Chowdhury's "Bodh" as well.
Determined to refine his expertise as an actor, he also took the initiative to hone his technical expertise in television direction. "I worked as a chief assistant director for many renowned makers and also invested in acquiring experience as an art director and casting director. I believe that understanding these aspects is essential for an actor when stepping in front of the camera."
Under his belt, Shamrat has several critically acclaimed performances, including his role in the short film "The Safe House" (2019), which won Best Short Film at the Sweden International Film Festival. He made his much-anticipated silver-screen debut in Nurul Alam Atique's Liberation War-based film, "Lal Moroger Jhuti", in 2021. "I feel that my portrayal of Jawed Naqvi ( in Lal Moroger Jhuti), a Pakistani Army officer, was exceptionally well-executed and critically acclaimed. However, it didn't reach the masses in the way that Razzak's character did."
In response to being asked what lies ahead for the talented actor? With a lively smirk, he hinted at even more intense roles, "Since 'Priyo Maloti' gave me the recognition that I craved when I naively jumped into television, I will work even harder for OTT and films. You will see me in those mediums very soon."
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