'My father was an actor of the Ghoramara Dramatic Club. He inspired me to become a stage actress when I was not even in a playgroup,' says Sharmilee. Recalling those halcyon days, she says: 'Even at this age I remember how my father used to tell me how to portray the characters. Whenever I am ready to play a role, the image of my father comes to mind. He taught me about dialogue, pronunciation and realistic acting. He always advised me to portray the picture of the character within myself. I still follow his advice.'

Her early performances were in her hometown of Rajshahi. She became an enlisted actress and announcer of the radio and television. In the late 1960s she got an offer to act in the leading role of an Urdu film, Thikana of Abdul Jabbar. The character was that of a singer who fell in love with a Pakistani. Later she acted in two Urdu films: Jugnu and Panchhi Baura. But none of these three films were released afterwards. So her first ever film was Abirdhab by celebrated film director Shubhash Dutt in 1968. This was a big Bangla hit in that period. Soon after this she was flooded with offers to act in lead roles. But as she was in Rajshahi, it was difficult for her to come all the way to Dhaka. She continued, 'I had my studies and later had to maintain my family. So, I was really very selective in choosing the films and roles.'

Sharmilee started to act in the serial television drama, Dampati, in 1968. Although the serial proved to be popular, she has regrets about not having a formal training in acting. As she says, there was no institute where she could learn acting at that time.

Sharmilee is quick to give credit to the contemporary stage and theatre personalities. She believes that they have an even better future ahead. She is also of the opinion that the vulgarity of the film industry is on the decline. When in the 1980s she thought that she would act more in the films than in the television dramas, she discovered that vulgarity had taken over the industry. But the scenario has changed for the better. As the appeal of the big screen is everlasting, people are eager to act on the silver screen. And present day actors, directors and the short filmmakers are working in tandem. ' Just as we successfully eliminated Urdu films in the country, so we will be able to erase the vulgar films from the industry one day,' says Sharmilee.

Sharmilee, is heartened that more educated people are joining the industry. 'I feel really happy that promising directors like Mustafa Sarwar Faruquie, Jemi and Taukir Ahmed are doing quite well. Again, some of the performers are so committed that they often don't take remuneration for acting in the good movies. I really appreciate this attitude.'

Sharmilee is optimistic about the local serials. She, however, thinks there are several features in the typical Hindi serials that can be educative. The makers of our country can learn from the standard of the sets and acting of those serials. But the worst things about the Hindi serials are the stereotyped story and inappropriate make up.

Sharmilee's dream is to act in a role like the one played by Shupriya Devi in Meghe Dhaka Tara by Hrithwik Ghatak. She regrets that she could not continue her acting in the award winning film Shurjo Dighol Bari because she had a clash the director. Later Dolly Anwar played the role instead of Sharmilee.

According to Sharmilee, the qualities of a good actor or actress are patience and observation power along with intelligence and the ability to withstand hardship. With a modest smile, Sharmilee said that the viewers enjoy her performances because she tries to incorporate these qualities in her plays.