At a glance
Birthday: 30th August
Height: 5' 2.5”
Hobby: Cooking, reading books, watching films
Dream on-screen partner: Amir Khan and Rahul Bose
Favourite part of your body: My eyes

Favourites Movies
English: Forrest Gump, Catch Me If You Can, The Terminal, Legends of the Fall
Hindi: Jab We Met, 3 Idiots, Gangs of Wasseypur, Barfi
Bengali: Dahan, Noukadubi, Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, Iti Mrinalini, Bhooter Bhabishyat
Actor: Tom Hanks, Amir Khan, Brad Pitt
Actress: Julia Roberts
Book: Durbin, Shat Kahon
Writers: Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Sunil Gangopadhyay, Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay

Noted Works
Ruposhi Tailors, Haraner Natjamai, Dokanir Bou, Shundori, Labonno Probha, Dokhiner Janala Khola Alo Ashe Alo Fire Jay

Sweety Shares Her Secrets
On looking younger: I love to eat. People think I exercise, but I really don't. Why my skin looks so young? It's probably just genetic. But I do avoid rice at night, maybe that counts as a 'diet'.
Of a long and successful marriage: You have to be best friends. Trust is very important in a marriage. There can't be any lies. It is very important to share everything. If your spouse finds out something about you that you deliberately hid from him, he will lose his faith in you. You might not like a lot of things of your partner. But it is very important to discuss and respect the differences. The only time I feel my work is getting in the way of my marriage is when I don't have time to cook for my husband.

In Conversation with Sweety
You started your career with modeling. What sparked your interest in acting?
I started my modeling career for Diamond Brand Oil. Afzal Hossain made that advertisement. Then I went to theatre school where I discovered my passion for acting. I acted in a number of stage plays before I started acting for television. I still act in my theatre troupe- Theatre Baily Road.
 

Do you have any interest in working in films in the future?
I acted in an art film called 'Bashi' (2006) directed by Abu Sayeed. If I get a good script, I would love to act in films again.
How different was the experience for you of acting in a film compared to acting in dramas?
The experiences were pretty much the same. Films have a bigger canvas. There are certain distinctions however. The acting style is different for films.
You acted in TV, theatre and film. Which is your favourite medium for acting?
For some reason, theatre acting has always been my favourite. You get the audience's reaction then and there in the theatre.
Twenty years from now, you might not get cast as the leading lady so often. Would you consider any other career?
No. I will stick to acting. I will continue doing what I love to do. Directing, on the other hand, demands even more time than acting.
What do you watch on TV?
I watch a lot of Bengali 'natok'. I try to watch my own dramas and also those of other artists that I like. I'm a big fan of National Geographic, TLC, cricket and movies.
So, you don't watch Indian programs?
Our dramas have realistic script unlike their ones. There was a time when Indians admired our TV productions. They have banned our channels at the face of stiff competition. They are more concerned about making their productions look glitzy and glamorous. To achieve that dreamy look, they compromise with the substance. It seems to me that they are more patriotic. We love our country; we also need to love our drama productions.
You have had a very long career as an actress and a model so far. What changes have you seen during these one and a half decades in our entertainment industry?
In the beginning of my career, TV dramas were very popular. But now we have lost that popularity. The authorities of all channels should consider how to limit advertisements to attract and retain audiences. Some drastic measures need to be taken. It shouldn't be very difficult. Channels all over the world are running with limited slots for ads. No one is struggling to maintain programme schedules. Why should it be any different for us? I'm hopeful things will be better in the future.
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Interviewed by Sadia Khalid