I want to remain in acting, platform is not big issue for me: Sumi

Siam and Shahnaz Sumi starrer ‘Paap-Punno’ is being released tomorrow. As it’s Shahnaz Sumi’s debut film, she seems to be very excited it. In a conversation with The Business Post’s Purba Zannat,  Sumi talked about her debut film, her works and a lot more

What is your character in the film ‘Paap Punno’?

My character in this film is Sathi who is the only child of a family living in a small town. In the film, Sathi is in her teens and her life started to change as she hits puberty. Her action, decisions and opinion affect the people around her. The film revolves around the virtue and sins of these people.

How did you become part of this film and how you prepare yourself for this character?

In April 2019, I was called for an audition in Channel i. I gave the audition but didn’t expect to be selected. I attended the audition just to meet Giasuddin Selim. But it took place in five stages. To my utter surprise, I got selected for the film.

The director of the film Giasuddin Selim and my co-artistes were very supportive and they are amazing when it comes to teamwork. I got huge support from them. Another fact is, in the film my character Sathi is a teen girl and back then in 2019 I was also a teen. That’s why it wasn’t that hard for me to play the character. Apart from that, I had to rehearse for more than two months before starting the shooting. Thus the shooting went smoothly.

How was your early life and how did you step into cinema?

My childhood revolves around my family members who are always up for fun and have a cultural perspective towards life. I was admitted to dancing class before I started to go to school. My mother wanted that her daughter should learn dancing and acting. That was my starting as a dancer. From there I stepped into acting. My family always supported me in everything I do.

My journey in cinema started because of my interest in acting. I wanted to become an actor and was looking for an opportunity. Suddenly this big break came into my life and I just grabbed that. That’s how I’m debuting on silver screen.

How did you start your career and which of your works do you judge to be the best till now?

Previously I participated in Shera Nachiye. From that show, Salahuddin Lavlu called me for an audition. From there I started my acting career with the TV drama ‘Sonar Pakhi Rupar Pakhi’. After that, I worked on his another serial ‘Priyo Din Priyo Raat’. In between, I worked with Abul Hayat sir on a telefilm and also worked with Meher Afroz Shaon. I also worked in some TVCs. My first TVC was for Jui brand coconut oil. I have also worked in ‘Iti Tomari Dhaka’, an anthology produced by Impress Telefilm.

It’s hard to say which one was my best work as each of those is very close to me. But In terms of drama, I would say ‘Sonar Pakhi Rupar Pakhi’, in TVCs its ‘Jui’ and in cinemas, I don’t know but ‘Paap-Punno’ will always remain my favourite as it’s my first film.

How was the shooting experience?

The whole shooting experience was like a dream. I never thought I would be starting my career with such a director and co-artistes. We shoot for 17 days in Chandpur, and 5 days in jail, every day I’ve learnt something new. It was an amazing experience.

What’s your next plan?

I didn’t work that much in the last three years as there was pandemic and the release of ‘Paap-Punno’ remained pending. I want to be in acting thus for me the platform is not a big issue. I like to work with good scripts. If I get good scripts I like to work in TVCs, Dramas, Cinemas, OTTs actually in every arena. I’ve just finished shooting for Raihan Rafi’s ‘Damal’. The film is expected to be released by this Eid-ul-Azha. Now I’m also taking part in the promotion of ‘Paap-Punno’.