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Shanu

Reaching for the stars

KARIM WAHEED
A dreamy-eyed young girl in
Sylhet city used to watch beauty pageants like Miss Universe, Miss World and contemplated what it would be like to wear a glittering crown, waving at a star-
struck audience. Little did the girl know her fantasy would one day turn into reality. Shanarei Devi Shanu has always been a go-getter but according to her even she was not absolutely certain initially that she could win the title Lux Channel i Superstar.
A graduate in English Literature from Sylhet's MC College, Shanu is a member of a theatre group called Sylhet Darpan. Those who have watched her act in the show Lux Channel i Superstar, can assume she has acting skills necessary to become not just a 'star' but a true actress as well. Her acting even got rave reviews from one of the toughest judges, seasoned actress Subarna Mustafa. Shanu says, she is passionate about acting but she is first and foremost, a dancer.
Shanu has been performing Manipuri dance since she was a child, like most young girls of the Manipuri community. She is fascinated by the exquisite costumes of Manipuri dancers. Clad in a traditional faneque (skirt), innafi (long scarf) and blouse, Shanu must've been a vision. She even received a gold medal in the dance category (Ka section) at Jatiyo Shishu Puroshkar '93. She says, “Although my family and I lived in the city, we've never been alienated from our roots. Festivals like 'Rash', 'Poornia' and 'Rath-jatra' still get me all excited.
“When I was in class V, my uncle asked me if I wanted to act. Apparently, a group called Dhrubotara needed a child artiste and they thought I'd be suitable for the part. That was my first acting gig and I've been infatuated with acting ever since.”
So what made her want to participate in …Superstar? Shanu's response: “I was enthusiastic about the show from the get-go, as it focused not only on appearance but talent as well. I felt I had a fair shot at the competition.” Incidentally, Shanu also participated in Lux Anandadhara Miss
Photogenic in 2000 and stood 6th in the competition. “I did get several offers for TV commercials and other projects and I could've pursued a career in the media. However, because I live in Sylhet and my parents felt I was too young to move to Dhaka and be on my own, I didn't make any effort. I've grown-up since then; I have the maturity level to decide what's good or bad for me and I'm ready to move to Dhaka for my career.”
Shanu thinks that Dhaka is still the centre of our cultural arena and to make it big, artistes have no other way around but being here. “However, artistes from outside the big metropolis are getting fair chances now through talents hunts and other shows like Close up1, Bengal Bikash and …Superstar,” says Shanu.
Shanu is not an unfamiliar face to
the TV audience though. In 2003, she played the role of a Sylheti girl named Moyna in an Eid-special play Boirati, directed by Shakur Majid. The play featured popular actors Mahfuz and Srabonti as well. A sequence where Shanu's character frantically follows her cousin (Srabonti), tries to stop her but cannot and her outburst after the cousin accidentally falls off a cliff, was heartrending.
What's next in line for this aspiring actress? “I want to join a theatre group in Dhaka and hone my acting abilities. I want to be a part of TV plays, drama serials, maybe even movies that have scripts that move me. She will be seen in an Eid-special telefilm Polash Phooler Nolok by noted author Emdadul Haque Milan.
Here's hoping, the newest “Superstar” can utilise her potentials and become an icon for years to come.