Sarika embraces contrast

Sarika Subrin lights up the screen whenever she appears. Yet her screen appearances have become somewhat intermittent in recent years. Reflecting on this, she says, “It’s not always up to the artiste. I want to work, but it has to be something that makes me happy doing it.”

The actress is now set to appear in two new projects: “ANNiE”, directed by Abdullah Mohammad Saad, and “Headline”, directed by Saleh Sobhan Auneem.

“ANNiE” was among the most talked-about Bangladeshi projects at this year’s prestigious Seriencamp Festival, held from June 9–11. The project also attracted significant international attention, with The Hollywood Reporter naming it among the festival’s most promising selections and describing it as a ‘hidden gem’. It is the first Bangladeshi series to be showcased at Seriencamp.

For Sarika Subrin, the recognition has been especially rewarding, although the series will take time before local audiences get to see it.

“I have always admired Saad’s work, and I feel delighted to be a part of this project,” she says. “I had worked with him on a TVC before, and we were supposed to collaborate on a longer project. However, that did not happen because of scheduling conflicts.”

Sarika is full of praise for Saad’s vision and dedication, noting that his work has repeatedly broken new ground for Bangladesh on the international stage. Just as “Rehana Maryam Noor” became the first Bangladeshi film selected for the main competition at Cannes, “ANNiE” has already achieved a significant milestone of its own.

When did it all begin? Sarika recalls, “We actually shot the series back in 2023.” What drew her most to the project was its originality. “When they approached me for ‘ANNiE’, I was immediately excited,” she says. “People often describe projects as ‘different’, but this one genuinely is. The storytelling style, the way the narrative unfolds, the director’s meticulous attention to detail—everything felt unique. He’s a perfectionist in the best possible sense.”

The production involved extensive rehearsals and preparation before filming began. “We spent a long time preparing for it,” she explains. “Everyone worked incredibly hard. It reminded me how important preparation is. When you are properly prepared, your performance naturally becomes stronger. Even the child actors were exceptionally talented.”

She also praised her co-stars, particularly Symon Sadik, whose casting initially surprised many within the production. “When Symon joined, quite a few of us were surprised because he was the final piece of the casting puzzle. But we trusted the director’s vision completely. Once viewers watch the series, they will understand why he was chosen.”

Interestingly, none of the cast members has yet seen the finished project. “We’re waiting just like everyone else,” Sarika laughs.

While promotional material has hinted at a pandemic-driven storyline, Sarika stresses that the series carries far more depth than it may initially suggest.

“Yes, there is a pandemic element, but that is only one part of the story. Many layers gradually unfold. The narrative keeps revealing new dimensions that will surprise audiences.”

Sarika reveals that she plays Yuki, a role she describes as one of the most intriguing she has portrayed.

“Yuki is a fascinating character, although I can’t reveal much about her yet,” she says. “What I can say is that the series explores human complexity. No one is entirely good or bad. Every person carries both positive and negative traits, and under extraordinary circumstances, different sides of human nature begin to emerge.”

Alongside “ANNiE”, Sarika is also preparing for the release of “Headline”, a Hoichoi Original series set to premiere on June 25. This marks Saleh Sobhan Auneem’s directorial debut.

“It’s interesting because both projects are arriving around the same time, yet the characters could not be more different,” she says.

In “Headline”, Sarika portrays Dolon, an educated and self-reliant woman. She also plays the wife of Apurbo’s character in the series. The actress was equally enthusiastic about the creative team behind the project.

“Director Saleh Sobhan Auneem created such a comfortable working environment. The entire team was incredibly organised. Although the series deals with serious themes, the story, screenplay and dialogue by Syed Ahmed Shawki and Ayman Asib Shadhin carry a great deal of humour and genuine comic relief. Nothing feels forced. The narrative moves at a brisk pace and constantly surprises you.”

Reflecting on both productions, she emphasises the collective effort behind their creation.

“Everyone involved in the production was fully invested. You could see the dedication everywhere.”

She also shared that Afsan Ara Bindu, Apurba, and she had reunited after a long time. “We have worked together extensively in the past, and it was great fun reuniting with them.”

When asked about her current workload, Sarika explains that she has become increasingly selective about television projects.

“I have not been doing many dramas recently. It is not that I have stopped completely, but I was not finding enough projects that satisfied me creatively. If the right script comes along, I would absolutely do it.”

She last appeared in a drama directed by Shakal Ahmed, alongside Chanchal Chowdhury, which aired during Eid.

“At the moment, I am waiting for another project that truly excites me. Nothing new has started yet, but I am hopeful that something interesting will come along soon.”