Maznun Mizan: Overcoming the odds

Photo: Atl Aakash

After years of stage experience with Dhaka Theater, Maznun Mizan stepped into a career of TV plays as a refined actor. Despite devoting his time to television now, Maznun Mizan has also made time to star in a couple of commercials.
Excerpts from a recent interview with Mizan at The Daily Star office:

Any new serials on the cards?
Maznun Mizan: I'm busy with several at the moment. I'm acting in Mahfuz Ahmed's “Maago Tomar Jonnyo”, Shokal Ahmed's “Sottyo Pahar” and “Meyeti Ekhon Kothay Jabey”, “Chondraboti” by Anjan Aich, “Ekdin Protidin” by Syed Jamim, and Muhammad Mostafa Kamal Raj's “Game”.

What about special Eid dramas?
Maznun Mizan: I've worked on two Eid dramas by Muhammad Mostafa Kamal Raj --“Penalty” and “Tumi Hina”. I also worked in a Muntasir Bipon drama, the telefilm “Bina Meghe Brishti” by Nahid Ahmed Pial, another telefilm “Hotel Chittagong” by Shamim Ahmed Ronny, a humorous play “Dadajan Zindabad” by Shaheen, and Amirul Islam Arun's “Ashchorjo Ebong Ekti Proshno”. I still have a few more work left to do before Eid.

What was your last film?
Maznun Mizan: My most recent one was Humayun Ahmed's “Amar Achhe Jol”. The only other film I did was also by Humayun Ahmed, “Noy Number Bipod Shongket”.

Why did you turn your back on films?
Maznun Mizan: The truth is that I don't get a response from the people who I want to work with. This has put future movie projects on hold. Right now I have offers for two films. I'm optimistic about both projects. One will be directed by Sajjad Sumon, and the other by Shamim Ahmed Ronny.

What have you gained from your acting career?
Maznun Mizan: The biggest gain is peace of mind. The admiration of the people has also made me the actor I am today. I am at peace with myself since I had to struggle a lot to reach where I am today and have succeeded.

When did you join Dhaka Theater?
Maznun Mizan: In 1996. I grew up in a very adverse scenario, where I never even had the chance to read a teen novel. But I always dreamt of becoming an actor. I was able to achieve that goal through my work with Dhaka Theater.