Success comes with no shortcuts, only hard work: Arefin Zilani

New-generation actor Arefin Zilani has taken on diverse roles in various Eid-ul-Fitr projects. From Faisal in “Bonolota Express” to a contract killer in “Cactus”, he has shown that acting goes beyond dialogue; it is the art of fully immersing oneself in a character. He is making his mark with versatile roles and a strong work ethic. After recent successes, the actor speaks to the Daily Sun about his journey, struggles, and aspirations.

Can you recall your first acting experience?
My journey in front of the camera began with a brief appearance in “Shapludu”, directed by Golam Sohrab Dodul. I was working as a stunt double for Arifin Shuvoo. Because of our similar height, I was asked to replace him in a scene, which involved jumping from a tree into a pond.

What inspired you to pursue a career in acting?
Before acting, I worked as an RJ at Radio Today. During my time at North South University, I participated in various cultural events. Later, I joined theatre troupe Prachyanat, where I learned some short of acting. There I also met Abul Azad Kalam and Animesh Aich. That’s when I realised my passion for acting.

How do you prepare for a new character?
It may sound overwhelming, but I read the entire script twice; first as a reader, then as an actor. If the director provides a backstory, that helps. If not, I create one myself. I try to understand why the character behaves in a certain way. For example, in the web series “Cactus”, I played a killer and built a detailed backstory to guide my performance. The role also required physical preparation, including action and rope-climbing sequences.

How are you enjoying the success of ‘Bonolota Express’?
Working on “Bonolota Express” was a wonderful experience. I had the opportunity to work again with Tanim Noor bhai, whose team is very organised. It was also a dream come true to be part of a project based on a novel by Humayun Ahmed. Acting alongside stars like Mosharraf Karim, Chanchal Chowdhury, and Azmeri Haque Badhon was an incredible experience. The audience’s appreciation for my character has been overwhelming, and the success reminds me that I need to work even harder. There are no shortcuts to achieve your goal. 

What challenges did you face in your early career?
There were many challenges. No one in my family is from the media industry, and I had no connections. I also started relatively late. After completing my master’s, I worked on a few small projects, but then COVID created a long gap. When I approached directors for auditions, many asked about my social media following rather than my talent, which was frustrating. Eventually, I got opportunities to work with directors like Shihab Shaheen, Vicky Zahed, and Tanim Noor.

What kind of roles do you aspire to play in the future? Are there any directors you hope to work with?
I want to work in action films, as I’m a big fan of Hollywood action cinema. Quality productions are being made in our country, so I’m hopeful that international-standard action films will also be produced here; and I would love to play a lead role in them. I am especially keen to work with Raihan Rafi, and I will give my best if I get the opportunity.