Zakia Bari Momo
Flashback to the finale of Lux Superstar 2006. Momo was crowned the winner, thereafter winning the hearts of thousand fans with her subtle acting skills and sober aura. Recently, she won a national award for her role in her debut movie Daruchinidwip, which is an immensely notable achievement for a newcomer. During an interview with The Daily Star, she enlightened us about her journey so far, her upcoming works for Eid and other plans. Excerpts from the conversation:
First, tell us how you felt on receiving the prestigious national award?
It was a very overwhelming experience for me. At this point in my career, it is quite an achievement that my sincerity towards my work has been acknowledged with such honour and recognition. For this I am extremely grateful to the jury members, my fans who have supported me and my work, and of course my parents for always being there beside me.
How important has the Lux Superstar platform been to you?
Lux Superstar is a vast platform. I believe it has propelled me into the media world and gave me access into the projects of notable directors and producers. Who knows where I would stand today if I had not participated and won in the contest? It is a great medium for new comers. I highly admire the people behind this venture, for offering to support new talent.
Looking back at the success of “Daruchinidwip”, do you plan to work in further films?
Why not? Sure. I am always open to working in good films.
Any preference between art and commercial films?
I do not think films should be categorised with respect to their genre only. Good films can be both commercial and slightly off-beat art films. I just require a good script to work on.
What are the criteria that you consider when agreeing to play a role?
The director and the character are the two prime aspects of my focus while considering a work. I try to delve into new characters in each of my plays, and not pick similar characters. Even if the character is close to some roles I have already portrayed, I attempt to add some diverse dimensions to it so that the audience is clearly able to differentiate between them.
Your memorable or significant works so far?
So far, there are quite a few works that I look back at with fond memories. To start with, Swarnamaya, a beautiful play directed by Tauqir Ahmed and written by Bipasha Hayat. Then there was Tauqir Ahmed's Shankhabash, which received audience acclaim; Kayes Chowdhury's Mahamaya; Nirupama, an adaptation of a story by Rabindranath Tagore. My fans also highly commended my role in Ejaz Munna's Neer.
Idols?
I greatly admire the skills of Shabana Azmi and Rani Mukherjee. Also, our country has an abundance of extremely brilliant artistes such as Subarna Mustafa, Aly Zaker and Asaduzzman Noor.
Could you mention some of your works that the audience might anticipate this Eid?
This Eid, quite a few of my plays will be aired. I will appear in Prithak, a play scripted my Selim- Al- Deen and directed by Golam Sohrab Dodul. Sheet Nidrar Porey is another venture with Tauqir Ahmed and Bipasha Hayat. I have also worked in a play written and directed by Kaushik Sankar Das, Amar Kotha, Tomar Kotha; and another play directed by Tony Dias.
To wrap it up, we are eager to know how Momo celebrates her Eid?
Previously, I used to visit my native village during Eid. In recent times, I have stayed back in Dhaka and celebrated Eid with my family and friends. It is time of the year when I catch up with my near and dear ones to make up for what I have missed out throughout the year. Eid is a great occasion to be close to the family.
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