Himu Akram: A storyteller’s journey from literature to cinema

For nearly two decades, Himu Akram has been a familiar name in Bangladesh’s television drama industry, quietly building one of the country’s most extensive and diverse bodies of work. With more than 600 productions to his credit, including television serials, telefilms, and single-episode dramas, he has established himself as a storyteller capable of connecting with audiences across generations.

Now, after around 18 years in television, he is preparing for a major milestone in his career--his debut feature film, “Alta Banu Jochona Dekheni”, which is expected to begin production soon.

Long before becoming a successful television director, Akram first made his mark as a writer. His creative journey began in literature, where he wrote short stories that were published in the literary pages of several national newspapers.  Three of his works have been published to date: “She Rate Brishti Chhilo” (2006), “Kichu Jol Kichu Shunyota Ghore” (2008), and “Khamwala Pakhi Hoye Phere Na” (2026). His writing is often characterized by its quiet observation of everyday life, exploring themes of memory, relationships, loneliness, and human emotions.

“I’ve always been interested in stories about people,” Akram says. “Whether it’s a short story, a television drama, or a film, the core remains the same.”

That literary sensibility later became a defining feature of his television work. His dramas frequently focus on distinctive characters and relatable situations, blending humor, emotion, and social observation.

Throughout his television career, Himu Akram has directed several popular serials, including “Joynal Jadukar”, “Nojirbihin Nojor Ali”, “Poncho Premik”, “Bideshi Para”, “Champakoli Talkies”, ‘Pagla Daktar-er Pach Chele”, “Shanti Molom Dosh Taka”, “Ghuriteche Pankha”, “Iskander Shah Ekjon Superstar”, and “Ogo Bideshini”.  

Alongside serial dramas, he has also directed a large number of acclaimed telefilms. Among the most notable are “Konkabotir Chithi”, “Nur Alam-er Cassette”, “My Name Is Johnny”, “Bedana Bibir Binni”, “Jonakira Jane Shudhu”, “Jalil-er Adamshumari”, and “Sondha Namer Nodita”.

His single-episode dramas include “Ice Creamwala”, “Tipu Sultan-er Hati”, “Gofur Kakar Tormuj”, “Ostad Alichad Boxi”, “Foyzu Munshir Narikel Gachh”, “Morilo Premlal”, and “72 Ghonta”. In many of these productions, his storytelling style resembles short fiction--compact narratives built around memorable characters and emotional depth.

The talented maker is now turning his attention to cinema with “Alta Banu Jochona Dekheni”, a dark thriller starring Swastika Mukherjee, Sariful Islam Razz, and Ashna Habib Bhabna. At the center of the story is the mysterious character Alta Banu, whose journey unfolds through layered psychological and emotional narratives.

For Akram, the move to cinema is both a creative challenge and a natural progression.

“Cinema allows you to explore a story with a different rhythm and scale,” he says. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.”

Colleagues and collaborators often point to Akram’s deep interest in the human side of storytelling as one of his greatest strengths. His work consistently focuses on ordinary people navigating relationships, uncertainty, humor, and hardship. Rooted in observation rather than spectacle, his approach reflects the literary background that shaped him as a creator.