'The little viewers are my true inspiration' --Sharmin

This anecdote is related by Lucky, while explaining the popularity of the programme. Those who have seen this cookery show, will agree with the idea that the show is popular not only for its culinary delights but also for the glamorous presence of the host.

During the time of mass uprising in 1990, Lucky became an active cultural activist. She was strongly inspired by the celebrated reciters like Naren Biswas, Prodip Ghosh, Biplob Bala, Asaduzzaman Noor, Aly Zaker and Jayanto Chattapadhhyay. She participated in many recitation programmes while still a student.

From reciter she soon emerged as a model. Lucky smilingly said, 'It seems such a long time ago that I think it will need archeologists to find out when those commercials were shot,' smiled Lucky. She termed it as the 'primitive era of our advertisement media' when she acted in several commercials like Jui coconut oil and Meril petroleum jelly. The technical supports were not very modern then and the ads were shot in movie cameras. She recalled, 'There were some press commercials which were the regular ones on popular magazines like Bichitra. One single picture used to be published day after day in the same space.'

After a brief pause, Lucky returned in some quality commercials. She is recognisable in the good housewife image in several commercials like Surf Excel, Aerosol Spray, Horlicks, Kumudini and Arku Spices. She always prefers to act in specific commercials that have good scripts and are made by professionals. To quote her, 'If there is no exclusivity or extraordinary feature of the commercial, I don't accept it.' She has worked with celebrated ad professionals such as Tarek Anam, Afzal Hossain, Amitabha Reza and Munira Yusuf Memi. And Siddiqua Kabir's Recipe has opened many avenues for her. As she says, many offers have come her way for appearing in commercials of household artifacts as well as cooking materials.

Explaining the genesis of hosting Recipe, Lucky recalls her earlier reluctance to accept Sara Zaker's offer to host the cookery show. When she heard, however, that Siddiqua Kabir would be the cooking specialist, she consented instantly. 'The organisers have done an extremely good job and it has become a popular programme among a large spectrum of the audience, from children to the older age groups,' says Lucky.

True, she has had to make compromises for the sake of the programme. For instance, she has to reduce family time and find time for shoots in between her teaching job at Academia School. However, there are compensations. As she said, ' The appreciation of the audience helps me do my work with full concentration and sincerity.' And, she says, the path has been made smoother because of unstinting support from her in-laws.

Lucky has also compered many stage shows, which she enjoys. She feels that in these shows people's direct reactions are obvious. She explained, 'The audience is usually very positive even if the performer on stage makes any mistake. It is very inspiring for me and I promptly correct my mistakes.'

About the qualities of a host, Sharmin Lucky said, 'Correct and clear pronunciation is a must for a host. Also one must communicate properly with the audience.' She added, 'The host needs to be in her best and should wear comfortable attire matching with the setting or occasion.'

Lucky's students are her biggest fans, she says. She enjoys doing the show, especially for the reaction to her programme. In her words, 'When in class they shout to me with enthusiasm that today is Wednesday and they will get to see me in Recipe.' These words are precious to Lucky and she thinks that these little viewers are her true inspiration.