“I dissolve my woes through acting”

AKM Hasan. Hasan (right) with co-actors in “Ronger Manush”.

“Acting is my life, my passion. It is something for which I am ready to make any sacrifice. I dissolve my woes through acting. Although I want to work on both the stage and television, theatre is where I am most comfortable,” says popular actor AKM Hasan, who gives credit to theatre for teaching him the ropes of acting. He is also grateful to his theatre group Aranyak and mentor Mamunur Rashid, without whose support he couldn't have been the man he is today.
Hasan first came under the spotlight, through his performance as Rakhal in the serial “Ronger Manush”. Explaining the success of the drama, Hasan says that “Ronger Manush” connected with the viewers; and following that, his journey has been smooth. Its rural setting, notwithstanding, other factors made “Ronger Manush” a success.
Following that TV serial, Hasan has drawn up other acclaimed performances such as Adil in “Bhober Haat” and a rail linesman in “Kaath Koilar Chhobi”. Playing the apprentice of a thief in “Ghor Kutum”, which Hasan says was a new experience, also gave a boost to his career.
Asked about the works that made him famous, the talented actor immediately said “Byasto Doctor”, but qualified that many other TV plays are also on the list.
Hasan joined Aranyak in 1991, and has so far worked in productions like “Shongkranti”, “Moyur Shinghashon” and “Rarang”. He also acted in the Bangla Theatre production “Lebedef”; but one of his most famous performances remains his portrayal of Gofur in “Shongkranti”.
The versatile actor has also tried his hand on the big screen, with appearances in films such as “Mayer Morjada” and “Doctor Bari”.
Hasan currently has a busy schedule with many Eid-special TV plays and serials on hand. Over a dozen of his serials are currently being aired: Fahmi's “Fifty Fifty”, Golam Habib Litu's “Batpar”, Mamunur Rashid's “Kakdaka Bhore”, Salahuddin Lavlu's “Jamai Mela”, Amirul Islam Shova's “Made By All” and many more.
Three of Hasan's Eid-special TV plays are being directed by Salauddin Lavlu. Several dramas directed by Mostafa Kamal Raj and Fahmi will also hit the screen this Eid, with the tally of Hasan's Eid performance totaling at 10.
On the characters that he plays in the serials, Hasan said they are very different, some positive and some negative. In “Johur Ali Johuri” he plays the role of a transsexual, and in “Kakdaka Bhore” he plays a journalist.
Pointing out that his role as Gofur in “Shongkranti” was his turning point in theatre, Hasan says in his parts in TV dramas -- Rakhal in “Ronger Manush” and the transsexual in “Johur Ali Johuri” were decisive roles. He thinks that theatrical skills are absolutely a must to play such challenging roles.