The Daily Star (TDS): What are you busy with these days?

Tamalika: I have just finished shooting a number of single episode plays and a mega serial. I am currently busy with other plays too. Some plays like Boirita, Syed Bari,Bibido, Daimar Sansar etc, are being telecast now. In Lal Neel Beguni and The New Sobuj Opera, I was absent in a few episodes as I was in Australia for sometime. Now I will be back in both the serials.

TDS: You seem to be very serious about stage acting. Do you have a great commitment to the stage?

Tamalika: In Bangladesh, it is quite difficult to take up theatre professionally. However, it's my passion for the stage which keeps me going.

TDS: It's often said that if you don't perform on stage, you can't be a good actor.How far do you think it is true?

Tamalika: It's not that you must work on stage to be a good actor and the stage does not assure anyone to be a successful actor. I believe that you must have individuality-- that's something God-gifted. Education is important, but I believe acting is not primarily a matter of acquiring knowledge from someone. If you work on stage, it will enable you to do versatile characters. We have seen many successful actors on stage were a total failure on small screen. On the other hand, many star performers on TV, failed to make a mark on stage.

TDS: Did you also act in films?

Tamalika: Yes, I have so far acted in four films such as Anyo Jibon, Ei Ghor Ei Sansar, Mithyar Raja and Kirton Khola. I got the National Film Award for Kirton Khola.

TDS: How do you evaluate yourself?

Tamalika: I'm completely a director's artiste, though while acting I never sacrifice my individuality. All I have achieved has been all by myself. I never had any backing. I would rather say that I was not utilised properly as an actor. Famous actor Soumitra Chatterjee once told me that I could have fared well, where theatre was given priority. Perhaps I am not so lucky as an artiste.