I was nervous at first: Oishee on her first film with Shakib Khan

After the release of her recent film "Noor", actress Jannatul Ferdous Oishee is already stepping into a new phase of her acting career. She has recently completed a significant portion of shooting for her upcoming film "Soldier", directed by Shakeeb Fahad — a project that marks her first on-screen collaboration with Dhallywood superstar Shakib Khan.

Speaking to The Daily Star, Oishee reflects on her experiences, her growth as an actor, and the quiet dreams she continues to carry within Bangladesh’s film industry.

“I genuinely enjoyed working with the ‘Soldier’ team,” Oishee says. “I’m very happy. There’s a certain mental satisfaction that comes from doing meaningful work. When the team is good, the work eventually becomes better.”

She believes that a professional environment is essential for creative comfort. “If there’s a proper shooting atmosphere, work becomes comfortable,” she explains. “Without professionalism, things become difficult. In that sense, the ‘Soldier’ team was truly good.”

Working opposite Shakib Khan for the first time was a defining moment in her career. Oishee reveals that she spent around ten days shooting with him, with most of her scenes shared with the superstar.

Reflecting on their professional dynamic, she says, “As a senior, he fulfilled his responsibility. He was cooperative, and I appreciated that deeply. Before ‘Soldier’, we hadn’t really spoken. We had only met briefly once at an event. Our real introduction happened on the set of this film.”

She admits there was nervousness at the beginning. “Shakib Khan is a very big superstar. It was my first film with him, and I didn’t know how he would take things. I was nervous. We met for the first time on set. But I quickly realised that he makes everyone feel comfortable, and that made the shooting process much easier.”

Observing him closely gave her a deeper understanding of his stature. “I worked for ten days so far and mostly my shots were with Shakib Khan, and while working with him, I truly felt why he is such a big star,” she says. “What struck me most is that, unlike many people, he doesn’t highlight himself or talk about his achievements. He doesn’t treat hard work or struggle as something heavy — it feels natural to him. I really liked that.”

She adds, “Shakib Khan is extremely hardworking. He can work relentlessly. He works with honesty. Even if someone says something to him, he responds with a smile.”

When asked about Shakib Khan’s feedback on her work, Oishee smiles. “He actually asked me why I don’t work more often. I told him that not every project offers a good experience — sometimes there’s a lack of professionalism. But I do want to work. I love acting. I want to work with good teams like ‘Soldier’.”

Looking ahead, her dreams remain simple but sincere. “I’m searching for opportunities to play diverse characters,” she says. “I want to act in films. I just need the right opportunities.”

For Oishee, "Soldier" represents more than just another project — it marks a step forward built on discipline, good teamwork, and a growing belief in her own place within Dhallywood’s evolving cinematic space.