Happy with my career

Azizul Hakim has been entertaining the audiences with his performance for over three decades. Besides acting in TV plays, he has ventured into films. In a recent talk with The Daily Star, the popular small screen actor of the 90s spoke about his professional life and more. Excerpts: 

Are you satisfied with your acting career?

Azizul Hakim: I'm very happy with my career and family by the grace of Almighty. I have no regrets because I believe if you live with regrets you just get bogged down with frustration. 

What do you consider the great achievements in your career?

Azizul Hakim: The love and adulation I receive is my biggest reward. I don't think I could have received so much affection in any other profession.

You have been in this profession for a long time. How have your expectations changed?

Azizul Hakim: In the long acting career, I have played different kinds of roles. I appeared in a number of BTV plays as the hero, but I can't do that anymore; my daughter is now a university student (laughs). So I now look for age-appropriate roles, and like always I want to do quality work.

You started out acting in theatre. What was your first play and how was it?

Azizul Hakim: “Ora Kadom Ali” was my first play on stage, and it was a turning point for me. I played the role of the 50-year-old boatman in the play. I remember eminent thespians like Abdullah Al Mamun and Ferdousi Majumder praised my work.

Have you done direction for theatre?

Azizul Hakim: I have worked at my theatre troupe Aranyak Nataydal for a long time, where I directed “Pathor”. It was the first appearance on stage for Azad Abul Kalam and Tamalika. Besides this, I directed two street plays.  

Do you miss your theatre days?

Azizul Hakim: I do but at one stage, it becomes very difficult to continue this when you take acting as profession. My last play for Aranyak was “Joyjayanti”. But I will always miss theatre; it is the platform that taught me acting.

What was your debut film?

Azizul Hakim: “Shonkhonil Karagar”. I was called for the film based on my performance in the plays “Ora Kadom Ali” and “Ekhane Nongor”. I played a role named Montu, and it was a big deal for me back then to be working in a film.

What have you been busy with lately?

Azizul Hakim: I'm now acting in three new TV plays. Besides, several of my TV serials are being aired on channels. I have plans to direct TV plays so I'm now preparing for that as well. I am also looking out for good scripts for films.

You are often seen reading between shots on set. What do you mostly read?

Azizul Hakim: Reading has been a long-time habit of mine. Bangla literature is a treasure-trove.  We have so many brilliant wordsmiths, and I try to read whenever I can. The last book I finished was Hari Sangkar Jaldas' “Rangashala”. I am a fan of his work.