Soaeb - Saga of an actor

“I strive to be at my best when I am acting. To me every act should be better than the previous one,” said Mohammad Soaebul Islam, speaking to The Daily Star recently.
A talented artiste, Soaeb began his acting career in Tarik Masud's critically acclaimed, award winning film, “Matir Moyna” in 2000. In this work he slipped with ease into the role of Milon, one of the central characters. “I consider Matir Moina as a major leap in my career. To me, Milon represents a socially conscious youth and the role gave me much needed exposure,” said Soaeb.
Going back to his early days, Shoaeb says that in 1997 he joined the Theatre Centre, a theatre troupe run by Shahidul Alam Sachchu. At the time he was in the midst of his second year as a post graduate then.”
“I always had this special curiosity about theatre since my childhood, while at my university, I met a fellow student at FM method English teaching centre, a member of Theatre Centre. I went to watch their sessions with him. After several visits, I had the gut feeling that this was something which I had to do and I joined the theatre troupe. I never had any second thoughts.”
After “Matir Moyna”, Shoaeb took a long break (2000-2006) from the large screen. At that time he felt that he would rather work in the ad world.
From 2007 onwards, he began working fulltime: First with “High Tension,” a 13- episode drama serial directed by Taher Shipon. Aired on Channel i, the short serial was an immediate hit. The play was a major watershed for Soaeb, his first break in the genre.
After High Tension Soaeb began working Aruna Bishwas. Starting with “Boro Didi,” the serial was directed by Aruna Biswas and aired on ATN Bangla.
“Working with Aruna Bishwas was a critical point in my acting career. Through her, I learnt the necessary elements of acting. In fact I must give her credit for giving a boost to my acting career,” said Soaeb.
To date Soaeb has worked in many TV plays and serials under the direction of Aruna Bishwas: among them “Malyodaan”, “Drishti Daan” and “Nupur”.
Among the other noteworthy serials in which Shoaeb has acted are “Dainik Tolpaar” directed by Asrafi Mittu and aired on Channel i,. “Priodarshi” directed by Arun Chowdhury, aired on Rtv, “Apon Ghorey Porobash” on Rtv and “Neer” on ntv.
Others works of Soaeb include “Shada Megh Kalo Megh”, directed by Taher Shipon; “Amongol”, directed by Hassan Sikhdar, single episode TV play “Othocho Bhalobasha”, directed by Mithu Bishwas and “Hodud Pora”, directed by Alam Shikdar.
Soaeb considers “Hodud Pora” as his best oeuvre. “This single episode TV play, yet to be aired, has been my best work so far. I have enjoyed working in it very much,” he said.
Talking about the importance of acting onstage and TV, Shoeab said, “For a professional actor, TV is certainly a very important medium. However, to learn the ropes of acting, theatre is a must,” concluded Soaeb, also an active member of theatre troupe Desh Natok since 2001.
Soaeb now looks forward to a career in films, along with TV plays. He recently finished shooting for “Dui Purush”, directed by Chashi Nazrul Islam. His next work will be “Ashombhob”, a film jointly directed by Aruna Bishwas and Mithu Bishwas. The shooting of the movie is scheduled to begin in April.