From village ‘jatra’ to the TV spotlight: Shamim Zaman’s 35 years journey

From performing in village “jatra” to becoming a familiar face on television, actor, director and writer Shamim Zaman has built a career spanning 35 years. While television and theatre have brought him widespread recognition, his heart remains firmly rooted in theatre. Through his longstanding association with “Aranyak Natyadal”, he has maintained an artistic journey defined by dedication, versatility and an enduring love for acting.

For Shamim Zaman, acting is more than a profession; it is a lifelong pursuit that continues to evolve. Over the past 35 years, he has explored different dimensions of the entertainment industry, establishing himself as an actor, director and writer. Yet, amid his diverse creative engagements, theatre remains his greatest passion.

His association with popular theatre troupe “Aranyak Natyadal” dates back to 1991. Three and a half decades later, he remains an active member of the troupe, regularly performing in its acclaimed production “Rarang”. His other notable stage performances include “Songkranti”, “Khela Khela”, “Prokrito Jon Kotha” and “Iblish”.

Reflecting on his long journey, Shamim considers his greatest achievement to be the artistic versatility he has developed over the years.

“If I had to identify one major achievement of my 35-year career, it would be becoming a well-rounded artiste,” he said.

His artistic journey, however, began long before he arrived in Dhaka. During his childhood in Jutkashi village of Daulatpur, Manikganj, he developed an interest in performing through traditional folk theatre. He participated in several “jatra” productions and later appeared in a school production of Rabindranath Tagore’s “Chhuti”.

His enthusiasm for cultural activities extended beyond acting. From participating in Boy Scouts to various cultural programmes, he remained actively involved in extracurricular activities. At the time, he was known as Saifuzzaman Shamim, a young dreamer whose passion for the performing arts gradually began shaping his future.

His growing involvement in “jatra” affected his academic performance, prompting a school change from Terashri School to Shibaloy Government High School. After completing his studies, he moved to Dhaka in 1989, marking the beginning of a more serious engagement with theatre.

Interestingly, his initial involvement with “Aranyak Natyadal” was not through acting. He first contributed as a “table” player. His proficiency in playing the “table” and “dhol”, alongside his singing ability, gradually brought him into the attention of fellow troupe members. Eventually, acting opportunities followed, allowing him to establish himself on stage.

Music, too, remains an important part of his artistic identity. He has released two audio albums, “Ekta Chithi” and “Poran Bondhure”.

Shamim believes that his ability to move between different creative disciplines is closely connected to his theatre background. He considers his mentor, renowned theatre personality Mamunur Rashid, an example of the multifaceted talent often nurtured within theatre.

“I consider this versatility a gift from God, which I further developed through theatre. Many artistes from theatre backgrounds possess such multifaceted talents. Whatever responsibility I take on, I approach it with complete dedication. However, I feel most comfortable and find the greatest satisfaction in being an actor,” he said.

His transition into television and cinema brought another dimension to his career. Over the years, he has appeared in numerous television dramas, earning considerable popularity through his performances in productions directed by Salahuddin Lavlu. Dramas such as “Goruchor”, “Warrant”, “Kotha Dilam To”, “Vejal Mondol” and “Alta Sundori” remain among his notable works.

He also received widespread acclaim for his performance in “Adhiyar”, directed by the late filmmaker Saidul Anam Tutul.

In addition to acting, Shamim has been involved in television direction for more than a decade. His latest serial, “Ek Patiler Songsar”, is currently being aired on Maasranga Television, with 80 episodes already broadcast.

Having worked in the industry across different generations, Shamim has witnessed considerable changes in professional practices and working environments. While acknowledging the contributions of younger artistes, he believes that discipline and professional etiquette are essential for building a sustainable career.

“In the past, when we arrived on a shooting set, our entire attention was focused on the production and portraying our characters convincingly. Today, many artistes seem more occupied with their mobile phones. I also feel that courtesy, humility, respect for colleagues and punctuality are increasingly lacking,” he observes.

He believes that talent alone is not enough to sustain an artiste in the industry. Dedication, discipline and respect for the profession are equally important.

“Without these qualities, an artiste cannot truly excel or sustain a long career. We have managed to maintain our careers through dedication and discipline. In that sense, I would say today’s artistes are like “Made in China” products, while we are “Made in Japan”,” he adds.

Are there any stories or themes you feel are missing from today’s television dramas? Replying  to this question the noted artiste said, “Television isn’t lacking topics-it’s lacking the enthusiasm needed to come up with well-crafted scripts. I don’t think we currently have enough skilled scriptwriters. A good script requires planning, education, time and budget. Drama is like a ‘kedgeree’-a mixture of many elements that result in something mesmerising. But even that needs balance. When the proportions of salt, oil, spices and water are right, and the cook is skilled, the dish turns out delicious. Drama works the same way: when all elements come together with the right craftsmanship, the result becomes truly enjoyable”.  

Throughout his career, Shamim has also served as a judge on three reality shows and received several awards for his contributions to theatre and television. Yet, professional recognition has not diminished his desire to explore new creative possibilities.

Despite portraying countless characters over the years, he believes that his artistic journey is far from complete. For him, the pursuit of a memorable role remains an important source of motivation.

“Throughout my career, I have portrayed countless characters, but I still dream of getting the opportunity to play a truly remarkable role. An artiste's dreams never end. Once those dreams disappear, creativity also begins to fade,” he said.

As for the legacy he hopes to leave behind, Shamim keeps his expectations simple. Rather than seeking grand recognition, he wishes to remain connected with the audience through the affection and appreciation he has received throughout his career.

After 35 years, his journey continues, guided by the same passion that first drew him to the stage as a young boy in Manikganj.