" My best performance was in the role of Galileo's daughter Virginia in the stage play Galileo Galilee" -- Lucky Enam

Illustration: Shiplu

What is your best performance?
I guess the audience would be better positioned to answer this question. My best performance was in the role of Galileo's daughter Virginia in the stage play Galileo Galilee. Another high point was the TV play Biswarjan, a popular play by Rabindranath Tagore. In the play I performed the central role of Aparna.

What is your dream role?
I am content with my performance in stage plays because I have played diverse roles. As for a dream role: like many other people I too nurture a dream, even if I can't pinpoint the exact character.

Any dream come true?
I don't work to fulfill dreams. I work to achieve a goal and make a contribution to society. My work is my life. If I can fulfill even a modest objective, it is like turning a dream into reality. As a theatre activist, my dream was to establish a theatre school for youngsters. This was finally fulfilled when our theatre group established a theatre school named Nagorik Natyangan Institute of Drama (NNID). We have introduced two six-month courses a year.

Who are your idols?
From my childhood I have idealised my parents because they have raised me with high values and education in a cultural environment. Later on I began to regard my husband Enamul Haq as my idol because he is a great source of inspiration to me.

Do you have any icon?
I don't have any icon that I follow blindly. I believe in developing a distinctive style and talent. I have done that step by step. However, I love to watch different talented artistes' performances. For instance, I admire Gulam Mustafa and Utpal Dutta.

What do you think should be the focal point of drama?
From the acting point of view it should be characterisation. I must identify with the role I am playing. Some actors don't submerge themselves in their characters. However, this is not the right way. One must put his or her heart into a role. Otherwise, the actor will not attain success.

What is your greatest achievement?
The position I hold today is my greatest achievement. People appreciate me and my performance. Though the path is strewn with pitfalls such as grief, shame, failure and dejection, one must have a clear goal. I think this should be one's motto.

What is the first thing you look for in an actor?
The first thing I look for in an actor is whether he is confident or not. Confidence is the basic quality of an actor. Good qualities can be developed; one can acquire knowledge but if he or she doesn't have confidence, success would be a distant dream.