'I dont want to name the relationship now'

Zakia Bari Mamo has established herself as a prominent actress by acting in numerous films and TV plays since she won the title of Lux Channel-i Superstar in 2006.

She has recently acted in a TV series named 'Lipstick' directed by Shihab Shaheen. In a conversation with Prothom Alo, the actress spoke about the series and a few other things.

Tell us about the plot of 'Lipstick'.
It's a woman-centered drama. When I first came to know about the story, I told the director to make a film based on the script. But he did not agree.

You acted in some TV plays on Valentine's Day. How was the feedback?
Everybody praised the play 'Bus Stop'. They were asking for its Youtube link. You know, viewers prefer web media to television for watching dramas nowadays.
However, it will be uploaded on an Indian video streaming site. I am not sure if it will be accessible from Bangladesh. Even I have not watched the play yet.

What do you think about the TV plays of recent times?
Well, our industry has expanded a lot. Besides many good projects, there have been some poorly made dramas, too. But they are very few in number. At the end of the day, viewers wish to watch good stories and they appreciate when you do something good.

You didn't act in any film after 'Chhuye Dile Mon'.
I think, cinema insiders don't like me much. That's why no film had been released after such a big commercial hit. In fact, I was offered some films after 'Chhuye Dile Mon' but I was not interested in them.
Recently, I have completed shooting for two films. They are - 'Alta Banu' directed by Arun Chowdhury and 'Swapno Bari' by Tanim Rahman. But I don't know when they will be released.

You were to work in a Bollywood film. What about that?
It was scheduled to be filmed at a palace in Delhi. But the authorities have not granted permission yet. The palace had been closed for shooting for the last five years.
"Don't worry Mamo. We will start the shooting soon," the director of the film told me recently.

There is a rumour that you are having an affair with director Shihab Shaheen.
We are in a social relationship that I don't want to name right now. Shihab and I will let you all know when the right time comes.