Stories of love, heartbreak and love triangles are common in dramas, films and web productions. But stories about what happens to a couple after marriage are rarely explored on screen. Perhaps inspired by that idea, young filmmaker Zahid Pritom has directed the web film Happily Married.

Ahead of its release next Wednesday, a special screening of Happily Married was held at the Liberation War Museum auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Monday evening. The film’s lead actors, Arifin Shuvoo and Keya Payel, spoke to journalists at the event.

Since the film revolves around married life, Shuvoo was asked about the “recipe” for staying happy in marriage. Smiling, he replied, “The recipe for staying happy in married life is to watch Happily Married once every week. Get up on Friday morning and watch it once—that’s how you can stay happily married.”

Speaking about the difference between marriage on screen and in real life, Shuvoo said, “Marriage outside the screen is completely different. Especially in real life, things are entirely different. Our film explores many important aspects of married life. I hope the audience will enjoy it.”

Keya Payel is making her web-film debut with Happily Married. Talking about the project, she said, “This is my first film. I have got an amazing director. What is even more exciting is that my hero, Arifin Shuvoo bhaiya, was with me. Overall, it feels like a dream project for me—the kind of project I had been waiting for.”

She said she had tried her best to portray the character properly.

“I tried my best from my side to do the work well and portray the character properly. Now I want my audience, those who love me, to watch it. They can make the final judgment,” she said.

Explaining the film’s concept, Keya said, “We always think about what happens up to the wedding—we become happily married. But what is the next chapter? Do we really think about that? Our story is actually about that chapter.”

Keya also shared her thoughts on marriage. “Everyone has a fantasy about their own wedding because marriage is such a big decision in life. I think people should get married after understanding, thinking and planning carefully. I also have many thoughts about my own wedding. But first, let Happily Married come out. Let’s see what people say after watching it,” she said.

Asked when she plans to marry in real life, Keya replied, “I have always believed in fate. When it is written in my fate, and with whoever it is written, I cannot change it even if I want to. Marriage will happen then. I do not think too much about marriage. I only think that I want someone in my life with whom I can spend the rest of my life together.”

For Keya, trust and respect are the most important elements in maintaining a relationship.

“The most important things in marriage or a relationship are trust and respect between two people—trust and respect,” she said.

She believes facing problems after marriage is natural. “Any kind of problem can arise after marriage, and that is completely normal. I think marriage is about facing those problems and spending the rest of your life overcoming them together,” she said.

She also considers responsibility an important part of marriage. “There is a lot of responsibility after marriage. More than love and care, there is responsibility. Fulfilling that responsibility is also a major challenge,” she said.

Keya said Happily Married portrays a beautiful journey of life after marriage. She added that she tried to portray her character according to the way the director had envisioned it.

Besides Arifin Shuvoo and Keya Payel, the web film also features Deepa Khandakar, actor-director Salahuddin Lavlu, Arefin Zillani and others.