Apu and Shakib never officially confirmed marriage, but they lived together in Dhaka, traveled openly, and posted couple-like photos. Apu often wore a mangalsutra (wedding necklace) in public, sparking marriage speculation. Shakib, however, avoided the topic in interviews.
The "Apu-Shakib" romantic storyline, for a while, became a daily feature on news channels. Apu filed for child support and legal recognition of the marriage. For nearly four years, she was seen as the "scorned woman." Her film career stalled. Producers were afraid to cast her for fear of angering Shakib Khan, who controlled much of the production landscape.
The Turning Point: Unlike her weak, tearful on-screen characters, the real Apu fought back. She produced her own film (Putro – 2018), which focused on the emotional turmoil of a single mother. The film was a massive critical and commercial hit. In that movie, the romantic storyline was secondary—the mother-son bond was primary. It was a meta-commentary on her own life. Apu and Shakib never officially confirmed marriage, but
When discussing Apu's romantic storylines, one cannot skip the "Shakib-Apu" era. Actor Shakib Khan, the "King of Dhallywood," and Apu formed the most profitable on-screen couple in Bangladeshi film history between 2006 and 2015.
Their formula was simple yet devastatingly effective: Impossible love, vicious villains, and tear-jerking climaxes. When discussing Apu's romantic storylines , one cannot
Why did these storylines work? Apu brought vulnerability to the roles. While Shakib played the aggressive, shouting hero, Apu played the silent sufferer. Her romantic storylines almost always involved sacrifice. She was rarely the damsel in distress who needed saving; rather, she was the emotional anchor—the reason the hero fought the villain in the first place.
Arguably her most controversial storyline was opposite Ziaul Faruq Apurba in the Eid special Chokher Tara Tui. Here, Apu played a woman trapped in a toxic marriage who develops Stockholm syndrome-like feelings for her captor. It was a risky script that polarized audiences. Why did these storylines work
Apu defended the role in a Facebook live session: "Romance isn't always healthy. As an actress, my job is to show the sickness of a relationship, not just the cure." This storyline solidified her status as an adult content powerhouse, moving away from teenage puppy love.