Q & A
"Ironically Bulbul had been cast first as my husband and later as my son... -- Dilara
Anyone who grew up in the '80s, is familiar with the title Eishob Din Ratri. And one, who has seen the immensely popular TV play, cannot forget the short-tempered mother played by Dilara Zaman. Her performance as the cruel and regal blind mother of a zamindar in another widely familiar play Oyomoy was remarkable. She is a recipient of many prestigious awards such as the Ekushey Padak, Bachasas and many more. On TV, she's the quintessential mother who won't hesitate to give you a piece of her mind. Let's get to know the real Dilara Zaman.Do you have a nickname?
My near and dear ones call me Lily. I was born in the early hours of June 19 in the district of Bardhwan, West Bengal. While taking a stroll beside a lake laden with white lilies, my father received the news of my arrival into this world. When he saw me for the first time, he was reminded of the lilies by my delicate features and fair skin and he named me, Lily. In TV plays, you often portray characters of shrews. Do you really relate to the characters?
As a matter of fact, I am just the opposite. Although I do the roles with finesse, I am basically very peace loving and selfless. I try not to be involved in any kind of confrontation. What keeps you going in a crisis?
I face it with courage and usually depend on the Almighty. Ironies that you have faced in your career…
Interestingly enough, in my first play, renowned actor Enam Ahmed played my husband. I used to call him chacha (uncle), since he was an acquaintance of my father. Then there's Bulbul Ahmed who initially played the role of my husband and later played my son. How did you make your move towards acting?
I grew up in Noakhali. As my family was super conservative, we were not allowed to listen to the radio plays or watch movies. As much as I loved to listen to the romantic dialogues in the plays, this had to be done secretly. I remember watching a play Rokter Daag, enacted by Lily Chowdhury and Johorat Ara at the Mehbub Ali Institute. This had a lasting impression on me. Out of sheer zest I took part in the competition held during the Education Week and I stood first in acting. From then on nothing could stop me from entering the media world. How different are the TV plays today from yesteryears?
So far I have acted in about 300 TV plays. What I feel is that the early TV plays dealt with family crises, now they are driven towards individualism. The plays, which once focused on our traditional Bangalee lifestyle, now seem to imitate the soaps of our neighbouring country. What's the worst part of being a celebrity?
I have to be extra cautious, so that I'm not recognised in public. During my shopping sprees, I usually wear a burka. The worst part is when the shopkeepers identify me, making it very difficult for me to bargain.
They often want to charge twice as much. It's hard to convince them that we actors work hard to make a living like everyone else; there are times when for just one single shot we have to go through the same ordeal over and over again.
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Illustration: Mustafa Zaman |
