From the 1960s to the ’80s, Shabnam was considered a very versatile, romantic and popular film actress.

Presently in Pakistan on a two-week visit with her husband and acclaimed music composer Robin Ghosh, the duo was invited by the Pakistan Television Network to accept its Lifetime Achievement award. In this context, PTV Lahore centre organised an event at the Governor House in which Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani gave away the coveted award to both the icons. Moreover, Mussarat Misbah of Depilex was the one who contacted Shabnam in Dhaka and worked as the communicating link.

In this exclusive interview to Images on Sunday, Shabnam talks about her film career, life as it is now and how it feels to be back in Pakistan and Lahore after 13 long years.

Q. Why did you leave Pakistan and what keeps you busy in Bangladesh these days? A. I left for Bangladesh to be with my family at long last. I still miss the studio lights and the life I spent here (broad smile). Back home in Dhaka, I spend my days cooking and cleaning, and looking after my husband. I play the role of the dutiful housewife now, the ultimate character I am destined to play out of the reel life.

Q. Do you still miss the life you spent here under the glare of the film studio lights? A. The fond and wonderful memories of Pakistan and its people are still fresh in my mind. Hardly a day goes by that I don’t cherish them, the moments spent in the company of my costars, the studios of Lahore and what not. I’m here in Lahore after a long time and it’s changed with lush greenry, highly developed and with bigger, better roads but stormy traffic.

Q. Have you visited the film studios yet? A. I shall definitely visit the studios but I am really sad to find out that they are almost barren now, and some of them have even been turned into godowns. What a pity!

The Pakistan film industry has a lot of talent. It can be revived but initiatives have to be taken by both the government and the film industry people. The government needs to give incentives to the film industry. Like in Bangladesh, the Film Development Corporation extends generous favours for the promotion of its film industry.

Q. Would you be willing to take up an offer to act in a Pakistani film now? A. It all depends on the writer and the producer. Making films has always been about teamwork: one has to go through the script first, and if it has meat only then can one give it a try.

Q. What are your views regarding the screening of Indian films in Pakistan? A. Personally, I don’t support the exhibition of Indian films in Pakistan. It’s a crucial factor in the further decay of the Pakistan film industry. There is no comparison between Bollywood and Lollywood if one goes by budget and equipment factors.We, in our time, made extremely good films on low budgets because we had good writers and directors. In Bangladesh, too, some six months back there was a move to screen Indian films but that met with total failure because the local film industry there vehemently opposed it.

Q. Do you see any chances for co-production between Pakistan and Bangladesh? A. Yes, why not! It’s a very good option and I can be a strong link between the two countries in such a case.

Q. You are the only actress who has performed a wide variety of roles in different films: a club/cabaret dancer in Zanjeer, the suffering wife of Bandish and an older woman in Nahin Abhi Nahin. Among your films, which ones are your personal favourite? A. Among them, I like Dorriyan (it won many accolades for her, including the National Film Award), Aaina, Talash, Dillagi and Zeenat to name just a few.

Q. Your favourite directors and actors from the Pakistan film industry? A. Among the directors, Pervaiz Malik, Sharif Nayyer and Nazar-ul-Islam, and Sabiha Khanum and Agha Talish among the actors.

Q. Do you want to become a director? A. Direction is quite a difficult job. The respect and admiration I won being an actress is quite enough for me.

Q. Will you meet up with your old film colleagues in Lahore? A. Yes, it is my purpose besides attending the PTV evening. I have recently met Zeba bhabhi as I could not come to Pakistan on Muhammad Ali sahib’s death. Similarly, I have plans to meet up with all my old colleagues and friends here.

I would also like to make a special request all my fans and the Pakistani people to pray for me since my health is deteriorating.