Representing a whole family in a drama is important: Fazlur Rahman Babu

'Extra Artist,' a one-hour drama, was aired on a television channel on the occasion of Eid Ul Fitr this year. The main character in the drama was played by Fazlur Rahman Babu. 

There are a few people in the country who do not love Babu's performance. In 'Extra Artist'  he gave another noteworthy performance for his fans to remember. 

Several years ago, Babu's work came to limelight through a drama "Bikel Belar Pakhi," where Allen Shubhro was his co-actor. The pair of actors appear to draw success every time they work together. Is that true, we asked Babu?

"Nothing like that. When I get any good script, I try to go deep into the character. In Extra Artist, I did the same thing."

Babu talked to The Business Standard via Facebook Tuesday night on different issues, including acting and drama.

"The shooting of Extra Artist took place towards the end of last year. This is Director Tanvir Ahmed's first drama. It does not matter to me whether the drama is directed by a young director or a seasoned director. What matters is the script. If I like the script, I accept it. I think if we do not work with young directors they will get frustrated," he said.

Babu began his career in television dramas in 1991. But he started working in theatre around 1981. His first TV drama was Mrityu Khudha, based on the novel of Kazi Nazrul Islam. Since then he has played many characters and has received many awards. 

But are all the characters he played similar - a miserable father or a depressed man?         

Babu explained, "Actually, this is a common problem in our country. If anyone does very good work a particular role, all the scriptwriters and directors think of him or her in the same types of roles. Besides, we work in a very small world. That is why things repeat. But it does not mean that I have not worked in exceptional roles. We actually have to work with many limitations."

"For example," Babu says, "In Extra Artist, the role of the father is different than the role of a father in Bikel Belar Pakhi. Again the role of a father in Oggatonama is different than the role of the father of Swapnajaal. Actually, there are eight crore fathers in our country. Every one of them is different from another. This is the difference. But at the end, they are fathers," said the actor.

The presence of parents' roles in contemporary dramas is decreasing. Does he worry about it? 

Babu said it was a matter of great concern. "When we started TV drama, a complete family was shown there. There were a father, a mother, brothers and sisters. Now dramas are made with only two persons, who are lovers. The main reason behind this is the budget crisis. The directors are helpless in this regard. But the characters of parents, or representation of a whole family are important for us," he said.  

The Business Standard wanted to know from him how he penetrates into a character or how he takes preparation for that. 

He said like any other actor he talked to the director about the role. He reads the whole script instead of reading only his part. He does it so that he can understand the whole story and the other characters of the drama. 

"Besides, I give my full attention to my work. Many actors hang out for a while or browse Facebook in the middle of a shoot. But I think about my character during that time. Actually, if full concentration is given to a character, that role can be performed accurately," said Babu.

The conversation had to close as Babu was busy. He has been taking part in many live programmes and talking to many people during the coronavirus pandemic. 

At the end of the conversation, when he was asked about how he was passing time apart from taking part in live programmes, the popular actor said, "I read books, watch movies and give interviews to different newspapers and TV channels. So I am not passing a very bad time."