'I am the poorest actor in the entertainment industry': Tawsif Mahbub
TV actor Tawsif Mahbub. (From his facebook page)
Small-screen actor Tawsif Mahbub is currently cutting in the number of projects he takes on, focusing more on the depth and quality of immersing into the given characters. Mir Rakib Hasan caught up with him for an interview.
Rakib: You're a supporter of Germany, so why did you post a picture on Facebook wearing an Argentina jersey?
Tawsif: I watch all the teams play. Especially during the World Cup or big matches, it's a given. Since the matches are at night or early morning, I get more chances to watch them. I watched Argentina's match the other day. After Germany, Argentina is my favorite team.
Rakib: You visited your home district, Bhola, recently...
Tawsif: I went to Bhola to shoot a drama titled "Amar Rajye Tumi Amar" (You Are Mine in My Kingdom). My co-artists in it are Keya Payel and Malaika Chowdhury. I'm still shooting this drama; it might take a couple of days.
This is the first time Malaika and I are working together. She is very calm, just like her older sister Mehzabeen Chowdhury, but her character in the drama is the complete opposite—very restless and mischievous. She has done a great job. The drama, directed by Mashrikul Alam, will be released on the Capital Drama YouTube channel.
Rakib: What's the latest on "Bachelor Point"?
Tawsif: The shooting of the "Bachelor Point" serial has been stalled because its director, Kajal Arefin Omi, was suffering from a throat ailment. We played a football match wearing Argentina and Brazil jerseys. This event will be shown in an upcoming episode. "Bachelor Point" has been a very enjoyable journey for me. Once the series ends, I will really miss everyone involved.
Rakib: What kind of response did you get for your Eid-ul-Adha dramas?
Tawsif: "Owarish" has been much talked about. Many people stop me on the street to talk about the story, the characters, and the acting. Many have related to my elder brother character in it. Another project, "Dordiya", also came out. It has a classic old Bengali cinema vibe, and I received a good response for that as well.
Rakib: Have you reduced your workload in dramas for any particular reason?
Tawsif: I don't take on projects hastily anymore. I prepare for a character for about 10–12 days. Earlier, I used to do more than 10 dramas a month, but now I've brought that number down to two or three. Because now, I am focusing more on quality. As a result, I am suffering financially. You could say I am the poorest actor in the entertainment industry. However, even though I am working less, I am quite at peace. I consider myself mentally rich. For me, peace is the most important thing now.
Rakib: Which of your works has brought about a change in your life's perspective?
Tawsif: The characters I portray on screen also have an impact on my personal life. Especially after working on projects dealing with spiritual themes or the torment of the grave, my outlook on life has changed. While shooting scenes at a graveyard, I felt this deeply. I had shot at graves before, but perhaps as age brings me to a certain point, working in such settings made me see life differently.
Rakib: What are your plans for films?
Tawsif: Taking the risk of making a hit or flop movie is a big decision. I am thinking now that I should do films as well. I can say that this is partly why I have reduced my drama or serial works. I act in about 50–60 dramas a year. In that case, how will I sustain myself financially by doing just one film a year—that is also something to think about. Besides, not working comes with its own kind of hardship. Offers do come in, but I am not making any quick decisions.
