Shahiduzzaman Selim, a National Film Award-winning actor and a veteran figure in Bangladesh's theatre and film industry, is set to return to the big screen this Eid in the much-anticipated film "Daagi". Starring alongside popular actors Afran Nisho and Tama Mirza, Selim takes on a bold new role in this Shihab Shaheen directorial, which is expected to draw significant attention during the festive season.

Selim, who has also garnered acclaim as a drama director, is stepping into new responsibilities as the recently elected president of the Directors' Guild. He spoke about his vision for the organisation with The Daily Star, stating, "As the new president, I will fulfill my responsibilities to the best of my abilities. I will do whatever needs to be done for the betterment of the organisation."

Reflecting on the previous administration's efforts, Selim didn't hold back, "The previous committee didn't accomplish much. In fact, hardly any work was done at all. A few months after taking charge, most of the leaders resigned."

As someone deeply rooted in the theatre world, Selim is no stranger to leadership roles. "I'm primarily a theatre person, a thespian," he confessed. "But I've also held organisational responsibilities. It feels good to take on this new role, and I'm grateful to everyone who voted for me."

Photos: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

Selim's upcoming project, "Daagi", has already sparked curiosity. When asked about his expectations for the film, he remained hopeful yet modest, "First and foremost, I just want people to come out and watch the film—not just the one I appear in, but all the Eid special releases, as they all deserve an audience. The greater the audience turnout in theatres, the better we can understand which films truly connect with them. Let them come and decide."

Amidst the political and social unrest in the country, Selim stressed the significance of continued support for the film industry. "It is always encouraging to see people still coming out to watch films, especially since our producers feel a sense of responsibility to the industry when releasing commercial films," he said.

However, the actor acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead, pointing out that people's basic needs must be met before they can seek entertainment. "People need peace of mind first. Their basic needs must be ensured before they can think about watching films. I hope the country's current situation improves soon, allowing Eid releases to attract the necessary audience to cinemas."

Photos: Collected

In "Daagi", Selim plays a negative character, a departure from his usual roles. "The story is very well-written, and the director has done a great job bringing it to life. We've all put in our best performances. I expect the audiences to come and find out what we've accomplished with 'Daagi'."

Since taking over the Directors' Guild presidency, Selim has already led a protest in Dhaka, condemning the alarming rise of child abuse and violence against women. "We are seeing children being raped, women being dishonoured. I strongly condemn these horrific events and demand justice. Has our humanity disappeared?" he asked during the demonstration.

As the conversation wrapped up, Selim shared his hopes for "Daagi", "I may be playing a negative character in the upcoming Eid film, but I'm hopeful that audiences will appreciate my performance."

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