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THEN AND NOW

Afzal Hossain on the evolution of TV drama

Shah Alam Shazu
Afzal Hossain is the emblem of our country's golden age of TV drama. Often regarded as the most successful actor on Bangladeshi TV, Afzal began acting as a member of Dhaka Theatre, when he was a student of the Institute of Fine Arts. He was a regular in almost all Dhaka Theatre productions and became a known face in TV plays. His acting skills and hard work made him stand out among his contemporaries and helped him carve a permanent niche in TV history.
Performances in several films brought fame for Afzal, including the Kazi Zahir film “Notun Bou”, where he starred opposite Subarna Mustafa. He also paired up with Diti in the Abdullah Al Mamun movie “Dui Jibon”, before taking a long hiatus prior to appearing in the Humayun Faridee production “Palabi Kothae”.
Afzal's acting gigs reduced in recent times, as the star is busy with his production house. He has also directed a new serial for Channel i, titled “Chhoto Kaku", in which he plays the eponymous role.
Meanwhile, after a decade-long break, Afzal recently paired up with Subarna Mustafa in the tele-film "Prem Bachite Janey”, directed by Arif Khan and to be aired by ntv this Eid. Afzal gives all credit to Arif Khan whose insistence convinced him to work with Subarna again after many years.
Asked on how the reunion of the once-popular duo feels, Afzal says it is a very enjoyable experience. Saying that Subarna Mustafa is still regular with acting, Afzal admits that he has become a less frequent face on the TV in recent times. But the adda sessions with Subarna between scenes feel great, adds Afzal.
Asked how he manages to maintain his evergreen appearance, Afzal says he doesn't know the secret as he never has tried anything special to maintain the image. He adds that of all the mediums - TV, cinema and theatre -- the stage attracts him the most, as people get a live “flesh and blood” experience. Working on the stage is more enjoyable, as the interaction between the audience and the performer is more direct, Afzal claims.
With many years of experience as a TV drama director, Afzal has also introduced countless models to the Bangladeshi advertising arena. The veteran says he is satisfied with all the acting performances he has done so far and is content with his career.
In the past decade, Bangladeshi media has undergone a rapid growth, with the spawning of multiple TV channels. Producers are investing crores of taka into TV plays, allowing actors to become full-time professionals. Asked between the main difference between his times and now, Afzal says his contemporaries acted out of love and passion for the art form. He adds that something good only comes out as long as there are emotions and love embedded in the performance.
There was a time when a single drama on BTV could create a massive stir, turning an actor into a star overnight. An actor's work was greatly appreciated and admired by a legion of fans during that golden era. Afzal again claims that it was the passion of the performance, which made both the acting and its reception grander.