They say ‘acting is not everyone’s cup of tea’. For Akhomo Hasan, it’s the opposite. While many of his contemporary actors have sailed into oblivion just like a drifting logwood, he is still captivating hearts owing to his versatile and natural performances. Of late, the Daily Sun caught up with this actor-up close and personal-to know more about his ongoing projects, the evolving landscape of television dramas, and his perennial passion for acting.

Well, I’m busy with several single-episode dramas and a number of serials right now. Among the serials, three are being directed by Lavlu bhai, Shamim Zaman, and Himu Akram. Nowadays, I don’t burden myself with excessive projects as there are issues with the quality of scripts, and I also have family responsibilities. Around 2018 to 2020, I used to shoot almost every day of the month. Back then, I didn’t have the freedom to cherry-pick projects.   

Even a few years back, dramas developed in rural setting were quite popular. What happened to this trend now?

Rural dramas have always had a strong audience, and that hasn’t changed. There will always be more people in villages than in cities, so naturally, those stories resonate more with the lives of cross-sections of people, reflecting their woes, joy and afflictions. That’s why dramas like ‘Alta Sundori’, ‘Ronger Manush’, ‘Vober Hat’, ‘Harkipte’, and ‘Sakin Sarisuri’ were superhits. Even now, I’m acting in several serials portraying rural themes, and viewers are responding positively. Ultimately, it all depends on the story. If the story is solid, the audience will always be there.

Do you ever feel the burnout effect?

No, never! Acting is in my blood. I come from a theatre background. I worked in the theatre along with the likes of Mosharraf Karim, Shamim Zaman, and Chanchal Chowdhury. At that time, we never imagined that we’d become popular actors one day. Now, if I don’t act for a while, it feels like something’s missing. But yes, I don’t want to be typecast. If you play diverse roles in powerful stories, acting becomes much more enjoyable. 

Do you think the quality of scripts as well as drama is on a downward trajectory?

Fifteen or twenty years ago, we would take three or four days to shoot a one-hour drama. Now, the same is done in a single day. That itself shows how much the storytelling depth has reduced.

Nowadays, many people have their own YouTube channels and produce content for them. They often prioritise quantity over quality. Many of these scriptwriters don’t have proper knowledge or training, which affects the final outcome. 

Moreover, the overall quality of TV dramas have also deteriorated, in comparison to old days when dramas like ‘Harkipte’ were in trend for years, sparking random discussion among people. Right now, that appeal is largely missing as contemporary dramas often fail to leave that kind of lasting impression.

What is the way forward to overcome this dearth of quality?

It’s a collective effort. One person can’t fix it alone. Artistes, production houses, organisations, and the government - everyone has to do their bit. Right now, anyone can make whatever they want and release it on YouTube. There’s no proper monitoring or accountability. You could say we’re living in a kind of ‘free-market drama era.’ Without coordination and quality control, it’s difficult to raise the bar.

There is a perception that the industry doesn’t value senior artistes as it once did. Do you agree?

I don’t entirely agree with this. Of course, various factors such as budget and production decisions come into play nowadays. But I don’t think the appreciation for senior artistes has truly declined. I still see many of them working and doing well. Personally, I’ve never witnessed disrespect or neglect towards seniors in the teams I’ve worked with.

Many small-screen actors are now moving to the big screen. Do you have plans to work in cinema?

I have already acted in films. About three years ago, I did a role in Anjan Aich’s film ‘Kana Machhi’. I loved the character, that’s why I agreed to do it. I do receive film offers, but I only take roles that I truly like. I’m not interested in doing something just for the sake of it.

So, what keeps you motivated after all these years?

Acting itself. It has given me everything- respect, identity, and love. As long as I can face the camera, I’ll continue to do it with sincerity.