Mahfuzur Rahman Khan

Mahfuzur Rahman Khan. PHOTO: Khaled Sarkar

The Daily Star: How did you come to this world of silver screen?

Mahfuzur Rahman Khan: Many of my family members were involved with cinema. Ehteshamur Rahman, Mustafizur Rahman, E R Khan, Aks photographer and proprietor were my relatives. I was definitely influenced by them. Moreover, I was interested in photography in my student life. Ehtesham Bhai told me to learn the basics here and then go abroad for higher studies on photography.

TDS: You got a scholarship in Pune but you didn't go there, why?

MRK: When I got the scholarship I was already a cameraman. I thought it would be of no use to go then. But now I feel that I should have accepted the scholarship because a degree is important for professional life.

TDS: There was a time when you were working as an actor; why didn't you continue with that?

MRK: Although I have worked in a good number of movies as an actor, I felt that it was not my cup of tea.

TDS: How did you come into acting?

MRK: In the late 1973, Abdullah Al Mamun made a film titled Jallader Darbar. They needed somebody who could speak in German language. The making of the film was half done. I knew the German and acted the role. Then I worked in Alamgir Kumkum's Liberation War based movie Amar Janmabhumi, Dilip Biswas's Dabi, Mustafiz's Alor Chhaya and Nurul Alam's Chalo Ghar Badhi. But then I realised that I did not have the required talent of an actor and that I won't be able to flourish in this world.

TDS: Were you doing the camera work also?

MRK: Yes, I worked as the cameraman in the movie Amar Janmabhumi.

TDS: What is the difference you feel in working in the films of today and yesterday?

MRK: I have not yet got a chance to work in the movies produced nowadays. The people I worked with in the past had a very strong homework. The movies were made in a homely atmosphere. I always knew everything about the movie like how it was going to be shot.

Another thing is that now there is a pressure on the directors from the producers. Now we have to satisfy the producers, not the director, not even the script. I didn't get any chance to work in such films. In the past, people used to make films that people could really watch.

TDS: How can we make people watch the movies of the past?

MRK: We have to change the total cinema into cinema scope. Otherwise we can't make the people watch the movies. The environment of the cinema halls has changed. We are not getting all the facilities that a hall should offer. In the past days, the environment was good, halls were clean and people were conscious as well.

TDS: You have worked with all the directors who are making good movies in recent years. How do you feel about it?

MRK: This is the reason why I don't feel any difference between the good movies of today and yesterday. The whole unit should be given credit for this.

TDS: Can you name some of them?

MRK: Among the new directors are Humayun Ahmed, Abu Sayeed, Nargis Akhtar and Mohammad Hossain Jemi.

TDS: Say something about these new directors.

MRK: Talking about Humayun Ahmed, his script completes 80% of the work, the rest 20% is done by us with the music, acting and other aspects. The visual of Nargis Akhtar is very strong and modern and communication is very easy. I consider Mohammad Hossain Jemi as my teacher, I have learned many things about camera from him.

TDS: Why didn't you continue making films from your own production house?

MRK: I had a production house named Disha International. I made Nitiban, Shamman, Durnam and Koifiat from this house. But this business did not interest me for long and it was difficult to concentrate on the camera while producing these films.

TDS: Why don't you direct films?

MRK: I think I am yet to be competent enough to direct a movie but I wish to do so in future. Although I have been involved with this media for thirty years, I think I need more experience and time to go for direction.

TDS: You have got many awards in your life. Which gave you the best feeling?

MRK: Award is a thing that makes everyone feel good. Recently I received two awards from the Cameraman Association which gave me great joy, because recognition from our own people is the best recognition.

TDS: There is no good institution for cinema photography in our country. Don't you think you should take some initiative in this field?

MRK: Certainly an institution should be there. It would be really good if today's youth get the guidance of great people involved with films like Baby Islam, Abdus Samad, Rafiqul Bari Chowdhury, Abdul Latif and others.

TDS: Do you feel any lack of equipment that we don't have in the camera works?

MRK: Cinema scope camera, latest equipment and generator van should be there at the FDC. Then we can go and work in any location. Government can do a lot of things and bring positive changes in the film industry.