" Geared with make-up, I saw myself as a pretty belle " -- Shahed

Illustration: Shiplu

The real Shahed is...
On one hand I am an introvert and then again I can be very fun loving as well. Only my near and dear ones inhabit my own little world. I'm pretty particular about my personal space.

Interesting experience
For the first time in my life I had to endure cross-dressing in one of the episodes of Shukhnagar Apartment. The concept was, my brother-in-law had switched my personality with my co-artiste Mim, by hypnotising us. Mim transformed into a rugged young man, while I saw myself as a pretty belle. So, when I came out of the dressing room, geared with make-up and all, my co-stars cracked up and it was a riot! One went to the extent of saying that I could be the next hottest seductress in Bangla films, while another remarked that with this look I could have any man I want. It was pretty embarrassing.

Do you think the theatre experience helps TV actors?
Of course! It is very important and I consider it a must. Facial expressions and body language that an actor learns in theatre are important for any medium. In fact when it comes to TV, the emphasis is more on these factors as the actors are often closely shot.

Does being a part of a star family have its perks?
Not necessarily. I was already an established actor when I got married to Natasha. However, I often take suggestions from my in-laws (Abul Hayat, Bipasha and Tauquir).

Who are your favourite actors?
Among the actresses there are Kate Winslet, Winona Ryder, Julia Roberts and among the gifted actors are Bruce Willis, Sean Connery, Al Pacino and Tom Cruise.

A side of you that you're not so proud of...
I can be sluggish sometimes and I love dozing off. I realise that I often miss good opportunities because of my idleness. However, if and when I'm convinced, I can totally get hooked to my work.

What would you ask a noted actor?
I have thousands of questions to ask them: about their talents, how they portray the characters that they have no similarity with, or how they cope with their personal problems and yet not let them affect their work.

What are your shortfalls as an actor?
I need to focus more on my career and get into a routine.

If given a chance, would you want to be in 'Never Land'?
Peter Pan's life is something dreams are made of but I don't think I want to be immortal. I don't mind time taking its toll on me.

What is your dream role?
Amitabh Bachchan's role in "Agnipath" or Sanjay Dutt in "Munna Bhai MBBS."

What are the prerequisites of an actor?
He or she must be a well-rounded individual. Sincerity, modesty, adaptability and patience are important and not just actors, any human being should embody these qualities.