For years, Shamim Zaman stood behind the camera, shaping stories, guiding actors and turning scripts into visual narratives. But the actor inside him never stepped away from the spotlight. Now, he finds himself in a space where both identities meet — acting in front of the camera while directing from behind it.
His latest television drama Ek Patiler Songsar reflects that rare journey. Shamim not only plays a role in the drama but also takes charge of its direction. Built around the lives, relationships and struggles of three generations, the family drama has become a project close to his heart, carrying high expectations from the actor-director.
For Shamim, telling a story about a joint family required a large and talented ensemble. He believes the scale of the cast was necessary to capture the depth of the narrative.
“Keeping the depth and demands of the story in mind, I brought together skilled and popular actors. Despite having a relatively limited budget, I wanted to create a star-studded drama, and that strong desire led me to take on this project,” he said.
The drama has already drawn comparisons with the popular family serials of the past. However, Shamim believes recreating old memories is not the answer. Instead, he wants to tell stories that reflect the emotions and expectations of today’s audience.
According to him, times have changed, and so have viewers’ tastes. The key is not bringing back old formulas but creating stories that connect with the current generation. He believes the relationships and family conflicts of three generations in Ek Patiler Songsar will help audiences find a connection with the story.
Despite his success as a director, Shamim remains clear about where his deepest attachment lies. Asked whether acting or directing is closer to his heart, he gave an immediate answer.
“My first and primary identity is that I am an actor.”
For Shamim, directing is also a deeply creative responsibility. But acting remains the foundation of his journey. It was through acting that he entered the industry, and that connection continues to define him.
Reflecting on the current television drama industry, Shamim believes the biggest challenge remains the shortage of strong stories. However, he also sees hope in the work of young filmmakers, especially those creating content for OTT platforms.
He believes audiences will always embrace good storytelling. At the same time, he opposes relying on vulgarity or inappropriate dialogues to attract temporary attention. In his view, the industry needs more dramas that families can sit together and enjoy.
Along with stories, Shamim highlights another important issue — production budgets. He believes larger projects and star-studded dramas require proper financial support to reach their full potential.
When it comes to acting, Shamim does not want to remain confined to familiar roles. He wants to challenge himself and explore different characters.
“I am ready to break myself and adapt to any character,” he said.
For him, the roles that demand transformation and challenge him creatively are the ones that create the strongest attraction.
Behind his long journey in the entertainment industry, Shamim credits his family for standing beside him. From his parents to his wife and children, he believes their support gave him the strength to continue moving forward.
He said becoming an actor would not have been possible without their encouragement.
Although Shamim has not yet appeared in an OTT project, he remains open to the opportunity. He believes OTT platforms offer actors more space to explore characters and develop performances in greater depth.
His ambitions in the digital space extend beyond acting. He also dreams of directing an OTT project in the future, provided he gets the right opportunity and creative freedom.
But one dream continues to remain alive — the big screen.
“I have a strong desire to act in films, and at the same time, I continue to dream of making a film under my own direction in the future,” he said.
From the director’s chair to the actor’s frame, Shamim Zaman continues to explore different sides of storytelling. With new characters to portray, stories to create and cinema still waiting on his horizon, his journey remains far from complete.
