Childhood
I was
the second
in a family of three children . It was a very normal childhood,
no traumatic experiences, nothing very special other than being born into a
wonderful family. Father was acting in films-- he was
"the star" of films , mother was an actress, producer in the radio
and a very good playwright-- I was doing radio and TV programs -easy thing
very normal -- studies, school, fights, punishments and
presents...............
Then 1971 happened. It is my believe that children who have observed,
felt and survived the pain and horror of 1971- lost the most
precious things childhood offers "innocence" much earlier than their
time.
Education
I did my
S.S.C. from Viqarunnissa Noon, My H.S.C from Holly Cross Collage
and My Honors and Masters in English from Dhaka University.
My father from being in the show biz always evoked curiosity about
us from outsiders. For one thing I will be ever grateful to all
my teachers from school to University days is that they always judged me for myself and that always kept my two
feet very firmly on
the ground. Sensible parents and teachers made my life least
complicated.
The family
that I come from never differentiates between men and women. My school and college days were
spent in all women institutions . By the time I
was in the university I was already a known face. To be very honest, I
never
faced any problem just because I was a woman while I was studying but I do not
deny the fact that may be the " known face" factor kept me
safe.
Choosing
Career
As all
children do, I also planned to be a doctor in the earliest days .
Then I wanted to be an astronaut, then a flight stewardess and so many other things.
I guess it was pre-destined that I would became an actress. I started out of curiosity
and then fell in love with acting and that is how it always has been. I will
quit acting the day I fall out of love with it.
Support
My parents
were always very supportive specially my mother. Of course there was a
precondition and that was no compromise with education. I always knew that if
my grades were not up to the mark - it meant " curtains" for my
acting life.
I was already
very much into my career by the time I got married . My in-laws didn't have any say about my
career,
even if they did, which they thankfully didn't, it would not have made any differences
to me.
To be
absolutely fair, my in-laws were as much supportive of my work as my own family.
I guess I was born under a lucky star.
Husband
My husband
being form the same profession has its merits and demerits. The "merit" is that I don't have to worry about my
"working hours" or not being the " typical housewife" all the time the "demerit" being not being in touch for long periods specially when we are
both working and in different locations.
And my work
I have said it
before and I will say it again, I am basically a happy person. I take life as it
comes and in all its shapes. I work because I love the work I do. If I don't
have any interesting script - I might sit idle for a year or more and be perfectly
happy. I regret very little. My career is exactly as I want it to be. One thing
I trust in is myself. I like to take responsibility for all my actions . If I
make a wrong judgment call - I will take responsibility, I will not look for shoulders to lay the responsibility on.
As I am
ready
to take on the blame I also demand that I be given credit for my good deeds
also. This attitude of mine raises quite a few eyebrows of both male and female.
Well...... that is the way I am.
.
If
the need arises
The
possibility of any of my family members asking me to quit my work is really out
of the question. If the need
arises, no one will have to ' ask" me, I will do whatever is
needed. For me my family is a part of my being. If they survive - I do, if they
don't- I don't.
In the
end
I don't
know if my inclusion in profile is at all a correct choice of the people
concerned. As readers
may have gathered from my words by now that I as a women in Bangladesh have
not really had to cross the usual hurdles even the unusual ones are missing.
If there
is one single thing that I am thankful for in life .......... it is having Mrs.
Husne Ara
Mustafa and Mr. Golam Mustafa as my parents.
If I were even
to be born say in my uncle's house -my life would have been different.
I just shared
some moments of my life with the readers. If you have a dream -- follow it,
no matters how difficult it seems to cross. If you are wronged then strike back. We all live only
once. Let us do it with our heads held high.
