Zia said, "I went to USA to study theatre under the scholarship of East West Centre. I completed Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in the University of Hawaii. Moreover, I read a few courses at San Francisco State College and did my thesis at Columbia College. In the USA, I saw amateur theatre practiced by some small theatrical groups, which inspired me to form a theatrical group here. Later, in 1968, in association with Ataur Rahman, I formed Nagarik Natya-sampradaya.

"Initially, Nagarik staged TV plays rather than stage plays. Our first TV production was Sophocles' play Oedipus directed by me. Later, from 1973, Nagarik started to produce stage plays," he added.

Theatre practice in those days was really tough. No woman wanted to work with a theatrical group. Zia said, "We went to houses of some interested female artistes and talked over with their family members. Moreover, there was no stage for drama even in Dhaka. We staged our plays at British Council Auditorium and other venues. Then Nagarik Natyasamprada introduced Mahila Samity Stage as the venue for drama through a series of plays."

His passion to become a teacher impelled him to join Chittagong University. Zia said, "Dr AR Mallick, then Vice Chancellor of Chittagong University, invited me as a faculty member in the Department of Fine Arts as an assistant professor in 1970. Initially drama was introduced only in Masters level as one of the branches of Fine Arts. After that, I began to pay more attention in University. I inaugurated academic theatre in Bangladesh."

After the early 80s, Zia has not been a regular in theatre practice in Dhaka. He said, "I do not think that because of my involvement in academic work, I have alienated myself from the mainstream theatre. I have directed many plays here in Chittagong, and a few of those plays have got awards. Say for example, Elebele has got best production award from Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in 1978. Moreover, I am writing books on theatre, which is also very important for healthy theatre in any country. Many of my publications are the texts in the theatre department at the University level."

Will professionalism be introduced in Bangladeshi Theatre? He said, "Professionalism will never be introduced in theatre in Bangladesh, because of the lack of the theatre loving people. Not more than 500 people go to theatre venues on a regular basis. However, even more alarming is the fact that most of those limited audiences go for mere entertainment. Rich productions like Crucible, A Man for all Seasons have less demand than those cheap entertaining productions. At least, box office records say so."

Talking about the impending closure of the drama branch of the department of Fine Arts of Chittagong University, Zia said, "It is unfortunate that the drama branch will close in Chittagong University. No regular teacher wants to stay at Chittagong University, as theatre practice in Bangladesh is Dhaka-centred. Moreover, for studying theatre a lot of group work is essential. Furthermore, the university is so far away from Chittagong City. All these facts have forced the university to close the drama branch.

"I admit that I had a responsibility. But, unfortunately we did not get quality teachers to run the drama branch," added Zia.