Indian serials are no threat: Zahid Hassan

The popularity of Eid teleplays and tele-films indicate that viewers want to watch quality productions, reports new age.

Popular actor Zahid Hasan believes that if the standards of Eid teleplays are maintained throughout the year, people will not need to bother much about foreign programmes aired on satellite channels.

‘I don’t believe that the Indian drama serials aired on satellite channels are any threat to the local small screen industry. To me, these programme are like “fast food”, which tastes good for a while but is never or should never be an alternative to main meals,’

‘In fact, everybody involved in the small screen industry should try their best to improve the quality of local productions. If that’s done, which of course can be done, we do not need to bother at all about Indian programmes,’ he added.

Zahid Hasan will be seen in diverse characters in different teleplays to be aired during the Eid festival.  He has also directed three Eid teleplays- Samrajya for SATV, Magistrate for ATN Bangla and Emotional Abdul Matin for Banglavision.

He has performed in a five episode comic play Barisailla Pola Ashi Taka Tola and another single episode teleplay Alal-Dulal Tritio Porbo. Both of these plays have been directed by actor-director Mir Sabbir.

He is also the protagonist of another comedy titled Tipu Sultan’s Hati, directed by Himu Akram. ‘I’ll play a fictitious character of historic Tipu Sultan. I believe the play will be appreciated by the audience as it is packed with comical elements. The viewers will also enjoy another comedy titled Bishe Bishokkhay, directed by Diya Raha.’

On his frequent appearance in the comic plays in Eid, Zahid Hasan said, ‘As the viewers enjoy watching comedies in the Eid, the genre dominates the market. Moreover TV channels sometimes show concern to air plays dealing with serious issues.’

‘That’s why viewers see me performing in many comedies. But, that does not mean that I’ve any fascination for comedy. As a professional actor I like to perform in good plays,’ he added.

Zahid Hasan further said that the viewers will love Samrajya directed by him. ‘The play deals with a very serious contemporary issue. I’ve also played the lead role,’ he said.’

Another play that Zahid Hasan hopes to cut well during the Eid is Sangri La, which will feature five famous actors who are also contemporaries like Azizul Hakim, Shahiduzzaman Selim, Zahid Hasan, Tauqir Ahmed and Mahfuz Ahmed.

Written by Tauqir Ahmed and directed by Shahiduzzaman Selim, the seven-episode play will cast Jaya Ahsan, Tarin and others.

‘Viewers will love the drama series as everybody in the team gave their best efforts,’ said Zahid Hasan, who is also the organiser who brought his peers together for initiating this project.

‘All five of us have never acted in a play together before even though we share a great relationship. Through the production we wish to show people that collective efforts can produce good things,’ Zahid Hasan said.  The actor will be playing the role of a negative character named Obayed.