Challenging roles excite me: Mostofa Monwar

Sometimes he is Sajjad from the film ‘Live from Dhaka’, sometimes he is Arif from the series ‘Ladies & Gentleman’. But whatever character he plays, he becomes that person on the screen. That’s why despite not being the lead actor, he is remembered and applauded by the audience. He is Mostofa Monwar. Right now, he is shooting for Giasuddin Selim’s upcoming movie ‘Gunnin’. In a candid conversation with The Business’s Post’s Antara Raisa, Mostofa shared his acting journey and recent works.

The Business Post: Where are you now?

Mostofa: I am in the shooting set of Giasuddin Selim’s ‘Gunnin’ right
now. We are shooting in Brahm-anbaria. 

TBP: What’s your character in ‘Gunnin’?

Mostofa: As you know, the movie is set in the 1970s. In the film, the Gunnin has three sons. Two of his sons fall in love with the heroine. I am playing the role of one of the brothers that fall in love with the heroine. My character is very extrovert and tries to win the heart of the heroine. That’s all I can say for now.

TBP: Your other film ‘Payer Tolay Mati Nai’ has been selected for screening at the Busan Film Festival? What are your feelings about that?

Mostofa: It feels great to have my film screening in international film festivals. I loved playing the character in that film.

TBP: Tell us more about your character in ‘Payer Tolay Mati Nai’.

Mostofa: I played a microbus driver who carries dead bodies and patients. He wants to go back to his village, but his village home has been destroyed by a flood. His yearnings and struggles to return home to his family have been shown in the film.

TBP: When did you first discover that acting is your passion?

Mostofa:I started acting when I joined in Prachyanat Theatre Group in 1998. Since then, I have done many street dramas. When I got admitted to North South University, I joined the drama club there. I acted in a lot of dramas during that time. That was the time when I grew my passion for acting. In 2003, I debuted in the Television Drama ‘Kufa’, directed by Animesh Aich. He is my friend too. So, that is how I began.

TBP: You have played quite a few unique characters in your career. Which character of yours is your most favourite? 

Mostofa: I enjoyed playing the character of Sajjad in the film ‘Live From Dhaka’. That character was very well received by the audience too. I prepared myself for three months to play the cripple man in the film. Apart from this, the character of a Bihari man in the anthology film ‘Eti Tomari Dhaka’ is another of my favourite characters. Though after playing any character, I always think that I can do much better. 

TBP: Most of the time, you play very unique characters. Is there any particular reason behind that?

Mostofa: Whenever I read any script, I always try to find out what will happen to the whole storyline. If my character is not there and I find that my character has no impact on the story, I lose interest in playing that character. Also, I try to play the characters that I find difficult or challenging to portray. That excites me. 

TBP: Do you think you could give more time to acting if you did not have your corporate job?

Mostofa: No, I don’t think that. Because I have a job, I think I can choose whatever character I want to play. I can either do it or leave it.

I have this luxury because of the job. If I didn’t have a job, sometimes I would have to do films that I don’t like. Now that I don’t have any financial boundaries, I can choose freely. 

TBP: You mostly work on OTT. Do you want to work more in television dramas? If not, why is that?

Mostofa: It’s been a long time since I worked on the small screen. I shifted to OTT because the storylines and character build-up are much more unique on the digital platform. 

TBP: What are your current ventures? 

Mostofa: Two of my films titled ‘Made in Bangladesh’ and ‘Manusher
Bagan’, directed by Nurul Alam Atique, are awaiting release. I have plans to shoot a short film for Chorki.