Sharmin Joya

Although noted actor Khairul Alam Sabuj started out his career on the stage, his popularity primarily grew through television.

Besides being an actor, he is a director, screenwriter, writer, translator and singer.

He was honoured with the Bangla Academy Award 2020 for his contribution in literary translation.

He is quite selective about his roles in films.

Most recently, Sabuj played the role of the protagonist in celebrated director Tanvir Mokammel’s “Rupsa Nodir Baankey”. The film was released yesterday.

“I am immensely confident about this project, as I believe that besides being entertaining, a film should have a positive impact on the society,” shares Sabuj. “This film conveys a social message, and portrays stories of people who are important in our region.” The actor previously collaborated with Tanvir Mokammel on “Nodir Naam Modhumoti” (1996).

The protagonist of “Rupsha Nodir Baankey”, Manab Ratan Mukhopadhyay, resembles a leftist leader, who dedicated his life to social causes. Interestingly, Tousif Sadman Turjo, Zahid Hossain Shovon and Sabuj play the role of the protagonist at different stages of his life.

“Manab Ratan represents one of those leaders who brought about great changes through his sacrifices and struggles,” Sabuj shares. “We have heard of and even seen people like him in our lives. Such people are often forgotten, but we need to know about them.”

He further explains that the story of the film is timeless. “In a society, there are two types of people— those who accept everything and remain silent, and those who think about the greater good and raise their voices against societal problems,” explains the artiste. “This film beautifully illustrates that as people, we must think about our approaches.”

Sabuj adds that Tanvir Mokammel is an expert at making period films. “I have known Tanvir for a long time. He was my junior at the Department of English, University of Dhaka,” he mentions. “I believe ‘Rupsa Nodir Baankey’ is his best work till date.”

The film was the last project of renowned cinematographer Mahfuzur Rahman Khan. “He was one of the most passionate people that I had ever come across,” says an emotional Sabuj. “It was an amazing experience working with him. He was a progressive artiste, who truly loved his work. It is unfortunate that he left us before the release of the film.”

Sabuj has also been busy with writing television screenplays. “I am planning to remake my old television projects, which today’s audience are not familiar with,” he shares. One of those projects, “Atmoja”, already aired on Bangladesh Television this January. “I acted in and directed the original. Ahsan Habib Nasim played my role in the remake,” concludes Sabuj.

Photo: Collected