Shimul wants to be known as more than just a ‘villain’

Shimul Khan loved to write poems when he was in school. If he had not gotten into films, he would have probably become a poet by now. 
But then there was a time this versatile actor wanted to be a cricketer. He had also aspired to become a fashion designer and ramp model as well.

"I liked writing since my childhood. While I was studying in high school, I published a magazine. My journey in acting started with a theatre in my locality. My childhood friend, Bondhon Biswas, and I founded a theatre group together and we used to produce plays regularly," he recalls. 

So far, Shimul has acted in more than fifty movies, 30 of which got released in theatres. In most of the movies, he played the roles of a villain. His performance in Dehorokkhi, Boishommo, Swapno Ghor, Most Welcome-2, Desha: The Leader, Musafir, Hero 420, Kartuz, Kichhu Asha Kichhu Valobasha, One Way, Shesh Chumbon, Tukhor, Bizli, Nuru Mia O Tar Beauty Driver and Jannat has won him plaudits. 

Actor Shimul Khan. Photo: TBS

"Back in the days, I also used to play cricket and at some point in my life, my dream was to be a cricketer."

After completing higher secondary school in 2006, Shimul Khan's aim in life was to be a fashion designer as well as a ramp model. He came Dhaka from his village in Faridpur towards the end of the year to fulfill his dreams. He got admitted at National Institute of Design. At that time, he worked with model Tabassum Shaon as an assistant designer. 

He talked to Shaon about his interest of becoming a ramp model. Next year, he got opportunities to walk on the ramp and worked as a ramp model at various shows from 2007 to 2009. 

In 2010, he started acting in television dramas. Two years later, he got an offer from the film industry. His first movie was Iftekhar Chowdhury's "Dehorokkhi" which was released in 2013. He played an anti-hero in the movie. After the release of that film, Shimul didn't have to look back, and he got offers to work in movies - one after another.  

Shimul was excited when he first got the opportunity of working in a movie as a villain. However, he wants to play all kinds of characters. 

"I have been playing the roles of villains as I started my career as an anti-hero. I think that audience have also accepted me as an anti-hero. But apart from that, I have played other types of characters. However, my main motto is to develop myself as an all-rounder, who can play any character, depending on the story. I want that Shimul Khan becomes an essential actor for any movie. I want to reach there."

There was a time when Rajib, Mizu Ahmed, Ahmed Sharif and Sadeq Bacchu would appear on the screen as the sons of ATM

Shamsuzzaman or other anti-heroes or as junior villains of that time. Later, Dipjol, Ilias Kobra, Gangua, Don and Misha Sawdagor followed the footsteps of Rajib and Humayun Faridi. 

But none of them are working in the film industry anymore. Many of the great actors who were great on silver screen as villains have passed away, while others retired. 

Currently, Shimul Khan has no competitor in the industry. However, he is not worried about that. He hopes that everybody will get an equal opportunity to work in the industry. He wants Bangladeshi film industry to thrive in future.  

Shimul believes that lack of professionalism exists in the industry and many people behave irresponsibly. He expects that professional producers will come forward as a result of which the film industry will turn around. 

Otherwise, the situation will worsen day by day, he thinks.  

Recently, Shimul worked in a web series named "Morichika." Before that he acted in the third season of Hoichoi's "Eken Babu" web series. 

Shimul informed that he has signed up for several web series.