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In conversation

Afzal Hossain: An artiste with diverse talents

'I have developed ad making as an art form'

Ershad Kamol
Afzal Hossain is a well-known name on the television circuit. From the mid-1970s, when he made his debut on the small screen, he has become an icon as a romantic hero. Later, he has contributed his talent to many other branches of our cultural arena.
Afzal is a graduate of the Institute of Fine Arts (IFA). He has also received training in graphics design, illustration in particular, which helped him in developing his career.
In 1975 he joined Dhaka Theatre and was enlisted in BTV as an actor in the same year. As he says, 'Drama personality Jamil Ahmed showed me the way to apply methods in practical work. In Dhaka Theatre, I basically got the opportunity to apply my knowledge and creativityin art. I worked in the group as a set designer and an actor as well. I continued theatre for nine years. As we could not take acting professionally in those days, I had to give up my theatrical work. But, honestly, I plan to return to the theatre.'
Nasiruddin Yousuff is Afzal's favourite director on stage.
About the famous Afzal-Suborna duo in the romantic plays, Afzal says, 'Developing a romantic pair in drama depends on a spontaneous equation.' He also recalls the good old days when the local television programmes attracted viewership from across the border. T learnt in an interview with the legendary Indian actor Uttam Kumar that he also watched our TV dramas regularly. The viewers of Kolkata were appreciative of the Bangladeshi drama artistes during the early 1980's. But the situation seems to have
changed drasticallynow.'
Afzal has performed in three full-length films. He says, T played the protagonist in Dui Jibon and Natun Bou. In fact, I have acted in another film which was never released. I have no desire to act in any film, though I might direct films. I consider film making as my ultimate goal.'
In the last decade, Afzal has developed
another interest—making ad films. In Afzal's words, T started making ads in 1984. In those days we had to struggle to develop the industry to today's level. In my early career as an ad maker, people were reluctant to appear as models. Personally, I have created many famous models and have developed it as an art form. We basically emphasise on the presentation of a model.'
'At present, globalisation is a problem in the ad world. The clients and ad agencies demand foreign models for ads, which is harmful for the indigenous advertising industry. I think, the involvement of unprofessional ad makers is responsible for this trend. Basically, they go abroad and shoot ads, taking the help of foreign technicians and models. Unskilled makers deal with advertising as a business only but not as an artform,' says Afzal.
Afzal also talks about the acting scenario in the country. As he asserts, 'It is really appreciable that artistes can now take acting as their profession. However, I think in most cases they only go after quantity not quality. I do not consider many current artistes as truly professional. If they were, it would have been reflected in the high standard of TV plays. I do not blame these artistes for this phenomenon. In fact art is the mirror of the society.'
His wife Tazin Halim has made a niche for herself as a fashion designer. The couple has two sons.
Along with making ads, Afzal Hossain also directs one TV drama serial and a few TV plays. He is also the author of three novels and a collection of stories jointly with Imdadul Haq Milon.