Behind the camera, but never away from acting: Sajal

Actor, comedian and producer Anwarul Alam Sajal continues to explore new horizons in Bangladesh’s evolving entertainment industry. Despite his growing responsibilities behind the camera, his passion for acting remains unwavering.  In a recent interview with Md Jahidul Islam of the Daily Sun, Sajal shared his thoughts on his much-discussed drama ‘Bishpakhi’, Capital Drama, the growing influence of digital platforms on the entertainment industry, and his future plans and aspirations. 

Your recent drama ‘Bishpakhi’ has attracted considerable attention. What inspired you to join the project?  
The main reason was director Vicky Zahed. He is a talented, sincere and responsible maker with a clear creative vision. I have immense confidence in his storytelling abilities and directorial approach. Knowing that he was directing the project made me particularly enthusiastic about becoming involved.

You work both in front of and behind the camera. How do you balance acting and production?
Balancing these responsibilities has become increasingly challenging. Capital Drama keeps me occupied with various production activities, requiring me to spend considerably more time behind the camera. Consequently, I cannot act as regularly as before and usually appear in only one or two projects annually. However, I remain selective, prioritising distinctive stories and meaningful characters.

Why did you decide to return to acting after such a long break?
I never officially announced a break from acting. However, the audience frequently asked when they would see me in another drama. Even when I promoted other artistes’ projects, viewers would ask about my next appearance. Their affection, encouragement and expectations ultimately motivated me to return.

Has your perspective on acting changed over the years? 
Not significantly. Every artiste aspires to deliver quality performances. From the beginning of my career, I have tried to produce meaningful work, and that commitment remains unchanged. Whenever I accept a role, my priority is to offer the audience something worthwhile.

Comedy has been an important part of your career. What are your thoughts on this genre now?  
I stepped away from professional stand-up comedy around 2020. At present, I’m concentrating on other creative and production-related activities rather than pursuing comedy regularly. 

Does the country offer sufficient opportunities for professional stand-up comedians? 
Unfortunately, adequate opportunities have yet to develop. The country still lacks a supportive environment where stand-up comedy can flourish as a sustainable profession. Nevertheless, I remain hopeful that better opportunities will emerge in the coming years.

How do you compare television with digital entertainment platforms?
Both platforms share the same fundamental objective: entertaining the audience. Our responsibility is to reach viewers through whichever medium they prefer. If another platform becomes popular in the future, I would gladly explore opportunities there. Ultimately, audience preferences should guide our decisions.

What are your future plans for Capital Drama?
We want to provide opportunities to new talent. With that aim, we organised a reality show titled ‘Face of Bangladesh,’ which helped discover many new faces. We intend to arrange similar talent hunts and reality programmes more. Our goal is to create a suitable platform and provide work opportunities for deserving newcomers. 

Why are viewers increasingly choosing digital platforms over television?
Frequent commercial breaks are a significant factor. Advertisements interrupt programmes and often affect viewers’ concentration and enjoyment. Digital platforms, particularly YouTube, offer greater convenience and opportunities for more uninterrupted viewing, making them increasingly attractive to the audience.

Among acting, comedy and production, which professional identity matters most to you?
I want to prioritise my identity as an actor above all else. Becoming a good actor has always been my greatest ambition, and I’m still working towards achieving that dream. Although I have explored comedy and production, acting remains my ultimate passion and professional priority.

What types of projects would you like to pursue in the future?
I do not want to restrict myself to any particular genre. I remain interested in exploring diverse stories and characters. However, my future focus will primarily be on mainstream commercial projects that allow me to connect with
a wider audience.