Viewers’ curiosity about people in front of camera is a normal thing. But when people in front of camera start worrying about people behind it then the issue takes another turn. Before the shooting of a play titled ‘Shopner Ghor’, its actors Shojol and Bindu were a bit tensed about person behind the stage, as in the director.
Shojol and Bindu have the idea that when the shot of rain of Pohela Boishakh would be taken among huge crowd, audience would be more interested in director than them. They would want to take picture with her, take her autograph. And that’s what happened during shooting this. And why would not it happen, after all the director of this play is once popular model-actress, Mahbuba Islam Shumi.
Although for last three years Shumi managed to keep away herself from TV screen, she was present in screen of viewers’ mind. Despite having wide acceptance of audience, why did you stay away from acting? Shumi said, to be honest, I felt really good hearing about my audience acceptance from you.
For this I thank my viewers a lot. It is true that whenever I go to public places like market, hospital, restaurant or even my relative’s house many fans tell me, why we do not see you on TV, we want to see you.
When some actors-actress after our generation like Shojol, Nirob, Bindu, Moum, Shoshi, Tania Hossain, when they tell that Apu we were your big fans. Why you do not work anymore? We want to work with you. We miss you. I think all these are an achievement of my 12 year old career.
I started my career when I was 16 years old. I worked for many years. So one time when I thought that my family wanted to then I should give them time. Let me sort out a bit. To me my family and personal life is of most importance. I am still prioritizing my personal life. Mainly for this reason I took a break from acting.
Although she is absent from acting for long time, just like fans, makers have not forgotten her. Even now she gets offers for acting regularly. In shumi’s statement, offers for plays always come. Now I am getting offers for movies. Maybe not play but at least a movie. Even renowned director P.A. Kajol wants me to work in his movie.
I made my film debut in his movie. Acting in this director’s movie ‘Teji Purush’ I got good response. And by mentioning this director P.A. Kajol recently said, Shumi I presented you wonderfully. This time I also want to work with you like that.
Play directors want the same thing. They have many demands from me. As because of them I am today’s Shumi. Play directors especially told me, if not regularly then at least I can work on special days. I am do plays in future. And about working in movies I still could not come to a decision.
On the issue whether she has interest in directing movies Shumi said, I never told anyone about this. Truth to be told, I acted in film to know about this medium. If I ever direct a movie then this experience will come in handy. I do not work on anything unless I have a good idea about it
Like before directing a play I study, watch movie. Beside Bangladesh Mahbuba Islam Shumi worked with some TV plays in Kolkata. As she has established herself with experience he thoughts about future acting is a bit different.
In Shumi’s words, I want to work in such a play or role in future that I have not acted in before. I do not want any repetitions. No artist likes to work on clichéd jobs. Nowadays a lot of good work is being done. New writers and makers came. And there is variation in work as well.
Speaking on experience of working in Kolkata Shumi said, when I went to work in Kolkata I saw that they are very professional. They take their work as prayer. They do not compromise with their work. In this learning period I thought that not only direction, in acting I also learned the manner of how an artist and ideal person is grown while working there.
In Kolkata my work consisted of serial dramas ‘Alor Dishari’, ‘Durotto’, ‘Shorotchondrer Shoti’, ‘Anuprem’; my productions- “Maddhabortini’, ‘Shesher Ratri’, ‘Oporichita’, ‘Okhankar Duibon’, ‘Houtointi’. And Indrani Haldar’s play ‘Ke’. Besides the identity of an actress Mahbuba Islam Shumi is also known as drama producer and director.
About being busy recently she said, recently I am making a different sort of musical drama. There are four songs because story’s need. This forty minute play is titled ‘Shopnokonna’. It will be telecasted on 15th May in ATN Bangla. I am also working on ‘Shopner Ghor’ titled play.
The story of this play is based on our celebrity lifestyle. The extent of our hard work will be depicted in the play. The difficulties we face in managing both job and family. Actually our work and career is not taken or cannot be taken easily by many.
Even I am tensed a bit about, will my in laws be able to accept my work in media nicely? Basically I portrayed these issues in the play. Moreover I will also make a serial based on a good story of Shirshendu Mukhopadhay. I will meet him soon regarding this matter.
Profile
Name: Mahbuba Islam Shumi
Nick Name: Friends or mom call her Shumi, father called her: Shumi, Shom.
Birthday: 30th October
Father’s name: Late Nurul Islam
Mother’s name: Anowara Islam
First School: Butterfly Kinder Garden
First Play: Shaat Ronger Shopno
First Direction: Bhalobashar Onek Rong (serial)
First Love: Sanjay Dutt
Favorite person: Everyone of my family.
Favorite model: Rita Abdhullah, Sadia Islam Mou
Favorite Actor: Afzal Hossain, Humayun Faridi.
Favorite Actress: Shuborna Mostafa, Rita Abdullah
Favorite Singer: Baby Nazneed, Balam, Habib, Anila, Juli, Kumar Bishwajit, Ayub Bacchu and many more.
Describing herself: After whole day I find myself in front of the mirror. And see a clear and honest person.
Favorite Poet: Rabindranath Tagore, Sunil Gangapaddhay.
Favorite Poem: many.