Photo: Ridwan Adid Rupon

Shamim Shahed, a familiar face on the stage and small screen for over two decades, is now busy directing TV plays. The Daily Star recently interviewed the multi-talented artiste.

You have done theatre and television plays; do you have now any plans to direct films?

Shamim Shahed: I'm going to start shooting my first movie in November. “Jol Balika” is about a girl's journey through life.

How did you step into the field of direction?

Shamim Shahed: It didn't happen overnight. Although I'm going to direct films for the first time, I've directed TV plays over a long stretch. My first drama was “Chor” featuring cricketer Khaled Masud Pilot and Aupee Karim. After the project, I directed a 104-episode serial.

Tell us about your theatre career. 

Shamim Shahed: In 1995, I got associated with theatre troupe Nagorik Natya Sapmraday and am still a member. I appeared in the troupe's plays “Roktokorobi”, “Nuroldiner

Sharajibon”, “Achalayatan”, “Swopnobaj” and “Mrittusangbad”. 

You have been directing a popular TV serial “Aw-er Golpo”. What is it about?

Shamim Shahed: It is a crime drama. One hundred and eighty two episodes have already been telecast and the drama serial is going strong.

What else keeps you busy?

Shamim Shahed: Earlier, I was involved in the Bangla dailies Prothom Alo and Bhorer Kagoj, but I'm now working as the head of programmes at Banglavision.