Photo Courtesy: Tuhin Hossain

They are a multi-talented couple! They have written scripts, directed and masterminded innumerable TV serials and soaps. He is a major figure in the Bangladeshi entertainment industry, along with being an author and journalist. She began her career as a child artiste and is now an accomplished Tagore singer, and an actress.
Yes, we are talking about Arun and Chayanika Chowdhury. Arun has written scripts for and directed around 900 plays, while chayanika has directed 83 plays and 2 serials. However, despite their talent, they prefer to remain in the wings.
The Daily Star caught up with the couple on the day of Saraswati Puja. Here's a glimpse of their conjugal life and careers in the entertainment industry.
For Arun and Chayanika, marriage is a spiritual union. They entered this momentous stage of life through an arranged marriage on December 3, 1990.
A smiling Chayanika says, “I said yes, the moment I saw him. But, he was a bit apprehensive about marrying me as I'm 14 years younger than him.”
However, as they say, marriages are made in heaven: The couple eventually got married and are very happy with each other. Arun, who strongly believes in arranged marriages, says, “It's better if you get to know each other after marriage; it seems it was just the other day when she became my bride. Marriage is an amazing thing, for a man it is destiny, while for a woman it is a continuous journey.” Chayanika says, “My family is very important to me. My kids are my first priority; I had two babies immediately after marriage and I fully concentrated on their upbringing. I enjoyed taking care of them in their early years. Gradually I started working as they grew up and I learnt a lot from my husband.”
Commenting on Chayanika's work, Arun says, “I never went over her scripts, never went to any of her sets while she directed; the reason is simple, I don't want people to say that I did her work for her. She takes her work very seriously. She is observant and patient and likes to experiment.”
Something each would like to change about the other? Arun says, “She is always cheerful. She is also very emotional and sensitive and that is why she tends to get hurt easily.” On the other hand Chayanika says, “He is caring. But he is a bit unsocial and reserved. I would really like him to express himself more.”
On love, Arun says, “Love is like a practice, you have to nurture it as it increases through time. I love her more than ever today.” According to Chayanika, “When he is not there, even for a single day, the kids and I miss him a lot.
What ultimately keeps their marriage vibrant, says the duo, is their trust, respect and love for each other.
The writer is a freelance contributor.