MONIR Khan Shimul, popularly known as Shimul, ranks among the promising actors of both the small and big screens. His sincerity and histrionic talent are matched with natural good looks. With an amiable smile and impressive appearance, Shimul recently had a chat with the Cultural Correspondent about his professional experience and views on a variety of issues.
First appearance in the entertainment world
My entry into the entertainment world was not planned. In 1990, I appeared as an actor on a TV drama titled Tension. Soon after this, I was asked to participate in a commercial. Famous Indian director Jennifer Pinto was in Dhaka to shoot a commercial for Pepsi at the beach.
But I was surprised to find that Jennifer didn't call me at all! When asked, she said, 'Shimul is too tall.' I understood that, despite her efforts, she could not fit me with the other models because of my height. However, I was able to help her out by guiding the models and director to get a perfect shot.
About Modelling
A model is not a model unless he or she walks the ramp. I don't consider myself as a model, since I never take part in fashion shows.
My Grameen Phone commercial was a big success. I believe I am an actor, not a model in these commercials. Like the plays and telefilms, commercials are 20-second fictions. These are fictions because we have to emote and act. Acting in commercial films Once in the early stage of my career, I was the 'most wanted outsider' in Film Development Corporation (FDC). I got offers to act in the movies like Keyamat Theke Keyamat. However, the mainstream commercial films never did appeal to me. But now my views have changed. unfortunately, the mainstream films are mediocre and an overhaul is necessary. I believe that the time is ripe for a reformation of films.
I am acting in the film Bagdan, a commercial but 'clean' movie. While everybody talks about reformation in films, nobody actually participates in the enterprise. The mainstream films remain unexplored. I also felt that I should play a central role in such reformation. And I strongly believe that in the next two or three years, our films will reach a pinnacle where we will take pride in them and, in the process, earn foreign currency through export.
About being a regular in films
I want to be a regular in the mainstream films. But the problem is that the artistes are being treated as day labourers in our film industry. The authority never thinks about the creativity of the artistes. They give precedence to the time cost or the material cost, not the quality of the artistes. Idols
Nurul Alam Atik, Aditya Kabir and Mustafa Sarwar Farooki are very good filmmakers. Mahatma Gandhi and Che Guevara are my role models for their dedication and values. As actors, Lawrence Oliver, Aly Zaker, Golam Mustafa, Robert de Niro and Kamal Hassan are my idols.
Own production house
When I decided to be a professional performer, I set up a production house of my own. It is called Enliten Entertainment. A number of newcomers have got a break through my organisation, as for example, Immi, a promising model, made her debut drama Nabaprohor.
About employing foreign models
This is an unfortunate phenomenon for which the ad filmmakers are responsible. We have hundreds of presentable and quality models. Some companies, which claim to promote Bangladeshi products and uphold our tradition and culture, use foreign models ignoring the local ones. I don't see any valid reason behind it. May be they are penny wise.
Latest ventures
I acted in the launching drama Biyer Ghonta on the London-based channel STV recently. My coartistes in this romantic comedy were Sumaiya Shimu, Chitralekha Guha and Fazlur Rahman Babu. Besides Bagdan, I have finished acting in Humayun Ahmed's film Shyamalchhaya.
About life
Life is simply wonderful. I enjoy every second of it. I never wanted to be a full-fledged performer but look what I am now? You would never believe that I had to close down my buying house and other businesses in order to be a regular performer on TV and film.