(Clockwise from top-left) The finalists -- Prosun Azad, Samiha, Jabin, Shoma, Zohra and Samia -- of Lux-Channel i Superstar 2012. Photo Courtesy: Tuhin Hossain The 8th edition of "Lux Channel i Superstar" is currently on, with strong competition narrowing down thousands of hopefuls to just six remaining candidates. The initial selection was made between 20 people, which then narrowed to the top ten, while four others were also eliminated. The final rounds of the competition will be held next month with the remaining six -- who recently chatted with The Daily Star at their temporary home in Baridhara.
Why did you enlist in the competition?
Samia Hossain Khan: There is a definite reason, or else why would we compete in such a huge event? My aspiration is to work in the media and demonstrate my talents to the viewers.
Prasun Azad: I have been learning singing and dancing since childhood and also participated in the "Notun Kuri" competition. But I prefer acting. So I joined the competition to find a better platform for myself.
Nusrat Jebin: This competition plays a great role in helping someone build a strong base in the media. I believe this the greatest platform in Bangladesh.
Soma: I feel this is a huge platform to launch a career in media. Especially those without a cultural background are groomed and taught to showcase their talents. I was always interested in dancing, singing and hosting; but I never had necessary grooming. I wanted to come here to bring out my latent talents through proper grooming.
Zohura: A young woman is groomed and attains fame through the "Lux Channel i Superstar" competition. I want to become a "somebody" in the media, and that's why I'm here. I've seen my father act in movies since I was a child, and that kindled my dreams of becoming an actress, a motivation which led me here.
Samia: I always had an interest in modelling and dreamt of becoming a leading model in the country. That is why I am here. I also want to see how far I can take myself in the media.
What have you achieved so far from the grooming sessions?
Samia: After the grooming sessions, I have more ideas about acting, makeup, and fashion than I had before. All of our teachers provided important insights. They gave us good direction and advice. Those who want to work in media, really need this grooming. Whatever I have learned, I consider as my achievements. If I hadn't come here, I wouldn't have been able to express myself so easily.
Prosun Azad: This is a great opportunity to learn a lot that would be helpful in the media. Gazi Rakayet Sir taught us some elements of acting, which might have taken me 10 years to learn by myself. I can go on forever.
Nusrat Jebin: Since I want to act, all the drama classes were very important for me. I didn't know how to emote while acting. I learned this from the grooming sessions.
Soma: The classes that we attended helped us a great deal. We had no idea that some of us had a good sense of rhythm that we discovered at the dance classes. Before our drama class, we thought that it was near to impossible for us to act. But the way we were taught, acting came to us spontaneously. Grooming also brought changes to our posture.
Zohura: Different classes were held each day -- on makeup, fashion, drama and ramp walking. Everyday we learned new things and our latent talents were honed. Not everyone is a jack-of-all-trades. Instead we can focus on a single skill. The training sessions have helped me to become more poised.
Samia:2012_06_22 A lot has changed after arriving here. All credit goes to the grooming sessions. I had no interest in dancing, but now I've learned some of the basics of the art and enjoy it. The grooming sessions are immensely helpful for those who want to work in the media.
What are your plans for the future? Would you all like to be in the media, once the competition ends?
Soma: I want to become an actor once the competition ends. But I don't want a quick rise to fame.
Prosun Azad: After this competition, I would like to see myself as a successful actress. I don't want to rush into fame either. Apart from acting, I also want to study cinema in the future.
Nusrat Jebin: I want to establish myself in the media, once the competition ends. I will act and take on modelling as well. Within a few years, I want to see myself as a superstar.
Samia: We will have to work under Unilever for a year, after the competition ends. Following that I want to see myself in a successful position in the modelling world. I also dream of becoming an international model in five years.
Zohura: I will work to become a successful actress, after the end of the competition. I know it will take time, but I will be patient. If there is any film by Impress Telefilms, I would also like to work in it. Furthermore I want to work as an international model, as I have a good height. After I am done with my A levels, I want to study on media.
Samiha: After the competition, I want to become an example to all. I will work diligently to meet that goal. I will be patient and my main focus will be on acting.
You had to stay at the camp for a long period during the grooming sessions. How was that experience?
Soma: It was quite an experience! It was the first time I had to stay outside home for a month. The most challenging thing was that the camp was a mix of girls from different backgrounds. At first, it seemed hard for me to cope with everyone. But later I adjusted. However, it was hard to stay away from my family.
Prosun Azad: I didn't have any problem adjusting at the camp. I was already used to the finer points of shooting. My family consists of my parents and my younger brother. My mother is currently out of the country on a UN Mission, and will return a year later. I won't get to see her for another year -- this thought pains me.
Nusrat Jebin: In that sense, I had no problem at all. I've always been independent at home and left my emotions aside when I came to the camp.
Samia: It's painful to stay away from your family. Having no communication with them is the toughest thing.
Zohura: This is the first time I am staying outside my home. I have two little brothers, whom I miss tremendously. I miss my mother the most, as I share everything with her.
Samiha: I grew up abroad, away from my parents. So it's not very difficult for me staying here without my parents. I have to accept the circumstances. I've taken the camp as a challenge and adjusted accordingly.
