Zinnat’s unending fight culminates in glory

"With two minutes of cameo in "Shaaticup", the lauded character of 'Duru' was spun into "Sinpaat" as one of the important roles in the project," shared Zinnat Ara, who won Best Actor (Female) in the critics' category at The Blender's Choice-The Daily Star OTT & Digital Content Awards 2024.

Zinnat shared that her journey into the arts began at home. Since childhood, she drew inspiration from her sister, a theatre artiste, which led her to explore music and dance (Shishu Academy). Yet, she admitted that acting was never a focus of her plan.

"I was always involved in cultural activities—crafting, painting, training in Nazrul Sangeet and folk music, and even taking dance lessons. But acting wasn't something I imagined for myself," she said. "That small role grew into something much bigger in the spin-off, resonating with audiences in ways I never anticipated. To then be recognised with two critics' awards, including The Daily Star and Meril Prothom Alo, feels truly overwhelming," Zinnat reflected. "Sinpaat, as we say, was an expected accident. But the recognition that came with it was completely unexpected," she added.

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For her, these honours are more than just trophies. "Such recognition encourages artistes to embrace more challenging roles—ones that break away from the conventional appearances and portrayals we often see in our industry. It pushes us to tell stories that matter," she added with conviction.

Duru is a character who mirrors the struggles of countless women in our society. For Zinnat, stepping into this role was both daunting and deeply relatable.

"I was initially very nervous when I began studying Duru," she confessed. "Her story is heartbreaking—how she was crushed under the weight of societal norms, which ultimately pushed her into becoming a drug dealer. As I explored her background, I discovered the tragedy of her being from a middle-class family, betrayed by the person she loved, and shaped by that pain into who she eventually became. It was also painfully relatable to see her struggle against discrimination during property disputes, and how she was abandoned and denied her rightful share."

Zinnat Ara in "Sinpaat"

Through Duru, Zinnat not only brought to life a character scarred by society but also highlighted the harsh realities many women continue to face.

Although the young actress is formally a student of accounting, her true calling lay in the creative world. "I've been into crafting, jewellery-making, freelance designing—mostly working behind the camera," she shared.

But what about acting? Zinnat smiled and replied, "If I get roles that allow me to tell real stories, I'll gladly take them. While shooting, we were often reminded not to focus on looking our best in front of the camera, but rather to tone it down and stay true to the character. That experience gave me the confidence to believe that artistes can truly become anyone once they step into a role."

Besides her professional journey, Zinnat is also facing what she calls the toughest battle of her life—her mother's five-year fight with cancer. With a heavy heart yet remarkable strength, she shared, "Cancer treatment is extremely expensive, but we are willing to do whatever it takes to keep my mother as stable as possible. At the same time, simply being by her side during this period is equally important."