From actor to playwright

Brindabon Das

Brindabon Das is one of the most popular and busiest TV playwrights of present time. Though, at the beginning of his career, he acted on stage, Brindabon eventually chose writing as his profession. In a recent interview with The Daily Star (TDS), Brindabon talked about his evolution as a writer, his current projects and more.
TDS: How did you start writing plays?
Brindabon: I worked with the theatre troupe, Aranyak Natyadal, and then joined Prachyanat. I was inspired to write TV plays by Mamunur Rashid. I worked as his assistant for a while. Prior to that, I would go through scripts written by Mamun bhai. Besides that I would stage 'Mukto Natok' in my hometown Pabna. 'Mukto Natok' is improvised sketches. I learnt many things from Mamun bhai though I decided to take up writing as a profession while I was with Prachyanat.
TDS: Which serials helped you attain recognition?
Brindabon: “The New Sabuj Opera” was a much-talked serial that aired on ATN Bangla. Mamunur Rashid directed the serial. The serial zoomed in on the plights of jatra artistes. Salahuddin Lavlu directed one of my serials, “Ghar Kutum,” that was aired on Channel i. That was hugely popular as well.
TDS: Tell us about some of the ongoing serials written by you…
Brindabon: Directed by Azharul Islam and Mahfuz Ahmed, two serials “Jamai Mela” and “Choita Pagol” are being aired on Banglavision and Channel i respectively.
TDS: As a playwright you popularised stories that are based in rural settings. Tell us about this trend…
Brindabon: I suppose I did popularise the trend. “Ghar Kutum” had 104 episodes. Another 104-episode serial titled “Sakin Sarisuri” followed and “Choita Pagol” is now on air.
TDS: Your wife is an actor. How did you two meet?
Brindabon: My wife Shahnaz Khushi is an actress. We are from the same area. We met each other; our relationship blossomed and got married on May 19, 1994.
TDS: Any fond memory related to the wedding?
Brindabon: Our wedding went through a drama indeed. Both of our families were against this marriage. Her family members were all set to marry her off to someone else. One day Khushi came to Dhaka without telling anyone. The day (May 19) she came to Dhaka, a show of “Adim” (an Aranyak production) was being held at German Cultural Centre. Mamunur Rashid arranged our wedding at the office of Aranyak that day.
TDS: Is there any particular reason for setting your plays in rural milieu?
Brindabon: It happens naturally. My first TV serial that was set in a rural setting attained popularity. Since then, directors have been asking me to write serials on rural issues. Besides, as I have been raised in a village, I feel an affinity towards that setting.
TDS: You started off as an actor. Why aren't you regular in this medium?
Brindabon: Though I started my career as an actor on both stage and TV, now I feel unnerved standing in front of the camera.
TDS: An aspiration you've been nurturing?
Brindabon: I want to write a novel on the Liberation War. The plot would be either in a memoir form or analytical, but certainly based on reality. My observations of the war [during my childhood] will be depicted in that novel.