Zakia Bari Mamo: When actions speak volumes

While our words hold power, it's our actions that truly amplify their impact. Many of us lent our silent support through whatever means we had, even by painting Facebook red with our profile pictures, a colour that represented the revolution and the blood of the martyred rebels. However, there were many who took their rebellion up a few notches by refusing to stay silent.

One thing that garnered widespread admiration across the country was how outspoken our artistic community was against the injustice and atrocities, spanning across all sectors of Bangladesh's entertainment industry. 

Many took to the streets in support, while many took bold and righteous decisions, and Zakia Bari Mamo was among those whose actions drew attention, thanks to her status as a national award-winning actress. 

One notable action that caught the entertainment sector's attention was her resignation from the Actors' Equity Bangladesh on 4 August.

"Equity stands for justice and fairness. I cannot personally accept compromising with justice in the name of equity. As an artiste, I am responsible for my actions, and it is from that sense of duty that I have chosen to resign from Actors' Equity Bangladesh," wrote Mamo on her resignation.

Mamo's resignation came in the aftermath of a statement issued by the Actors' Equity Bangladesh in the past month. It was deemed to have underplayed the atrocities of the former ruling regime and rather unsupportive of the student protests.

Mamo questioned the integrity of the statement.

"The statement and its true intentions felt dubious to me. It was not clear at all. I couldn't come to terms with what the statement stood for ideologically. I disowned it," said Mamo.

Mamo, like every Bangladeshi, holds hope for positive change throughout the nation. As many of us envision a more progressive Bangladesh, Mamo added her own thoughts, emphasising that freedom should extend beyond just speech—it should encompass much more.

"There should be freedom of storytelling as well; not just freedom of speech. We, the artistes, should be allowed to express our creativity and skills to the fullest. Our art cannot flourish and reach its potential when it is constrained. With that said, our actors and directors have great potential," Mamo asserted.

Mamo holds this sentiment because, deep down, she aspires for our streaming platforms, actors, and directors to create content that are on par with international giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime. She believes that with the right support and structure, Bangladeshi artistes can genuinely achieve such heights.

It is natural for all of us to gravitate towards content that reflects the situations unfolding around us. For artistes, this same instinct drives them to create stories that capture the essence of the present and the experiences of the people. 

Mamo, as an actress, shares this sentiment. She expresses her willingness to participate in projects that portray contemporary Bangladesh on screen, though it is important to acknowledge that such decisions are not solely up to her.

"I'd be happy if the opportunity comes my way. Being part of relatable projects is like leaving a mark in time," she explained.

She continues, "However, since I'm not a director, I can't craft stories and cast myself in them. I'm not a producer either, so I can't hire a director to bring my scripts to life. I have to wait for the call, whether it's from a director or an agency looking to cast me."

Mamo recently finished filming a feature-length movie titled 'Master,' directed by Rezwan Shahriar. Additionally, she's been involved in a short film, though she hasn't revealed its title yet.

Before wrapping up our conversation, Mamo remarked, "We constantly have to compete with international establishments when it comes to our content, despite having the smallest budgets, limited resources, and facing challenges like censorship and certification." 

"I hope that whoever takes charge of the entertainment industry ensures we receive the resources needed to reach our potential and create a level playing field compared to industries worldwide," she concluded.