Nazneen Hasan: A perceptive actress

A talented actress on stage, television and the silver screen, Nazneen Hasan Chumki has also emerged as a talented TV show host. The Daily Star (TDS) recently caught up with the actress who bagged a National Award for her performance in the film “Ghani”.
TDS: Tell us about your TV plays that are currently on air.
Nazneen: “Keu Robey Na Baire”, “Nir-e Nirbashon”, “Jao Pakhi”, “Khowar”, “Bhojoghot”, “Agniroth” and “Amader Shongshar” are my TV plays currently being aired. I am doing some new serials as well: Kazi Shahidul Islam's “Rupantorer Manush”, Ashim Das' “Nil” and Arif Al Mamun's “Jol-dash”.
TDS: Are you mostly doing plays set in rural areas?
Nazneen: Besides plays on rural settings, I'm also trying out some different roles. For example, in Mamunur Rashid's serial “Noksha”, I play an urban woman.
TDS: Where did you grow up?
Nazneen: I grew up in a small town, and never got a chance to visit any village. Although my hometown is small, the urban traits are more prevalent. Maybe it's something about my face and demeanour that makes me fit for rural characters.
TDS: Is that why you accept these roles?
Nazneen: I wouldn't put it like that as I have tried my hand at different characters and continue to do so.
TDS: With your theatre background, how do you approach your scripts?
Nazneen: I have a habit of observing people minutely. When I see a garment worker walking on the street, I notice how she dresses, how she walks, how she carries her tiffin. This is not particularly research for my roles but it certainly helps.
TDS: Did you come to Dhaka solely for theatre?
Nazneen: I came to Dhaka in 1996 to get my Master's degree. I could've done it from Khulna, Jessore or Kushtia; but Dhaka's theatre scene definitely pulled me. I got admitted to Jagannath College and soon decided to join Desh theatre group.
TDS: What happened after that?
Nazneen: I soon gathered self-confidence. After my performance in “Loha”, Ananta Hira approached me with an offer to act on TV. Although the thought seemed ridiculous to me at the time, my journey on the electronic media began there and has continued for 10 years now.
TDS: What do you regard as your achievements and regrets?
Nazneen: Winning the country's most prestigious honour in acting, the National Award, definitely was a career highlight. Unending love from viewers is also my gain. I regret missing the chance of taking on more challenging roles. I do want to play the role of a sex worker.
TDS: Your performance in the serial “Moyur Bahon” has been much admired. What is your take on this?
Nazneen: “Moyur Bahon” is one of my favourites. My role was of a girl who does not remember her past. In the serial's rural setting, I grew up in a chairman's house as a mistress.