SADI MOHAMMAD SHAHNEWAZ

In her relatively young career, Oyshee has recorded multiple hit albums, won the National Film Award for her playback singing, and spawned multiple blockbusters including Dushtu Polapain and Garir Mechanic . Recently, she started a new chapter in her life. We talk to the talented singer for more.

Congratulations on your engagement! How did you meet your fiancé?

I met my fiancé, Arefin Sakib Zilani, at a get-together two years ago. After we got to know each other, our families decided that it is now the perfect time to get engaged. He works at a pharmaceutical company. I am very happy, and waiting for both the families to get to know each other better. Please pray for us.

Your parents have been incredibly supportive of your career.

Absolutely, I would be nowhere without them. My late father, Abdul Mannan Milan, gracefully managed everything for me. He coached me about how to carry myself, how to talk to the media, every gesture and every movement. He was a teacher for me and my siblings. Now that he is no more, I barely know what to say – his absence is disorienting for me. My mother has now taken over that responsibility.

For a girl like me, it would be impossible to stay in the industry and do playback singing without my family’s support.

You are now managed by TM Galaxy, I believe. Many believe that you are working exclusively with Gaan Bangla and TM Music. Is that true?

That could not be further from the truth. I am working with everyone, its just that they now have to contact me through my management company, TM Galaxy. I feel like every artiste should have a professional manager, and I am glad that they are looking over my shows, recordings and contracts. Outside of that, anyone can approach my management company for work.

‘ Dushtu Polapain’ elevated your career in a sense. Do you fear getting stuck in this genre?

Dushtu Polapain was released in December 2021, and I haven’t even recovered from that song yet – people all over the country have given it tremendous love. I definitely will do other genres, as I have in the past, and my Gaan Bangla family, especially Taposh bhai, has a strategy set for that. I believe in them wholeheartedly.

It is important for musicians to not stay in their bubbles and think about what 80 percent of the population wants.

Do you have anything to say to your fans?

I have been incredibly lucky to have not just supportive fans, but also well-wishers in media and journalism who have supported me so selflessly. They have genuinely made my life easier. There is frankly no reason we cannot take Bangla music to an international level before – if Korea can do it with K-pop, so can we! Just believe.