I overcame a lot of subtle neglect to get where I am now : Chayanika Chowdhury

Celebrated director Chayanika Chowdhury has been successful in the television industry for the last two decades, working with some of the most prolific actors. In the span of her career, she has directed 415 television projects including hour-long tele-fictions and telefilms. Her directorial debut "Bishwa Shundori" was also well-received by the audiences.

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the celebrated director's journey into the world of showbiz arena. The artiste gets candid about her greatest achievements, career aspirations, and more in a recent conversation with The Daily Star.

What have been the greatest achievements of your career so far?

I could not have come all this way without the help of my fellow artistes and my crew members. My whole journey has been wonderful thanks to the love and appreciation by the audiences. Their love and appreciation gave me the courage to follow my dreams passionately.

On your path to becoming a director, what were your biggest challenges?

My journey into the entertainment industry was full of hurdles and setbacks, but I kept my head high to pursue my dreams. As a woman, and as a director who belongs to the religious minority, I sometimes had to face subtle neglect from many in the industry. I overcame a lot of it to get where I am now.

However, I will say that a director does not have a 'gender', what defines a director is their work. There are far too many good people, who outweigh the bad in every way possible. I was able to come this far because of their help. I am truly grateful to everyone who stood beside me over the years.

What are your goals as a director?

I want to make at least one movie every year, and do various projects in OTT that will hopefully resonate with the audience.

They say that when times are tough, you realise who are true to you and who are there alongside you just for show. I have finally discovered who my true friends are this year, and I am grateful for that.

Your close association with Pori Moni is known to all. However, people have called you out for allegedly leaving her during her most trying times. What do you have to say about that?

I love Pori Moni, she is like my own child. I was there with her before, and I am still close to her now. I consider our bonding to be sacred, and she is an integral part of my life.

The problem is, people and some of the media have constantly misrepresented what I said about Pori. I had only mentioned that even though we are close, I do not have much idea about her personal life – i.e what she does and where she goes in her spare time. That statement got blown out of proportion

At a time when she was being scrutinised and arrested, it was virtually impossible for anyone, let alone me, to visit her – and many made a huge deal out of that too.

I just want everyone to know that I was always there with Pori Moni, through the good and bad times.  

You were supposed to do an OTT project with Pori Moni. Any new update about that?

We have received the script and will soon go into production as soon as Pori Moni completes her shooting for Gias Uddin Selim's 'Gunin'. Apart from Pori Moni, the movie stars Abul Hayat and Tariq Anam Khan in pivotal roles. We have also roped in a superstar to be part of the film.