The rise of ABM Sumon

Still running successfully in theatres in its fourth week, Dipankar Dipon's cop thriller “Dhaka Attack” is a flame yet to be extinguished. ABM Sumon's performance as SWAT leader Ashfaque in the film was one that caught attention of the audience. Transitioning from modelling to acting early on, Sumon now aspires to become a method actor. In conversation with The Daily Star, the rising star shares his stories of struggle and success.

Tell us about your transition from modelling to acting.

Sumon: I came to Dhaka from Australia in 2011. I didn't have much to do then, and spent a lot of my time at the gym. The owner of the gym advised me to try modelling, and gave some photos of mine to his friends who worked in the industry. I got my first ramp show, and moved forward from then on. I began acting in 2013 with a tele-film called “Megher Kole Roud”.

After living in australia for 7 years, was it hard for you to make your way into the industry?

Sumon: I had to remake myself entirely. I had to lose 10kgs when I was modelling. I stopped speaking in English for a whole year, and I am still trying to do everything I can to become a method actor, and doing that is about simplifying yourself. Humayun Faridee was perhaps the greatest method actor we had, and he was the simplest man you would come across.

How many films have you done so far?

Sumon: After the tele-film, my first full-length film was “Ochena Hridoy”, and then “Rudro: The Gangster”. “Dhaka Attack” is my third released film, and we have completed shooting for Taneem Rahman Angshu's “Aadi”.

Did you expect the character of Ashfaque to become such an audience favourite?

Sumon: I think it was the emotions embodied by the character. He is a loving husband, about to become a father. Sunny Sanwar, the writer of the film, went through similar experiences and if he didn't share those with me, I may not have done as well as I did. “Dhaka Attack” was the fruition of hard work. I halted all other projects which put me in a tough spot financially and added a lot of mental stress. But it was all worth it.

Who would you credit with your success in “Dhaka Attack”?

Sumon: I want to specially credit my performance to three people: director Dipankar Dipon, who is just a wonderful craftsman; Sunny Sanwar, whose real life experiences helped me become Ashfaque, and then there's Nawshaba, who plays my wife. She was always in character, which helped me make every situation in the film believable. But everyone on set helped me do my best.

Taskeen Rahman, another breakout star of “Dhaka Attack”, is related to you. What was it like working together?

Sumon: Taskeen is my cousin and best friend. We always have a great time on set together and usually share a room. After his performance in “Dhaka Attack”, I'm a fan! Taskeen is definitely a gift to the industry.

What work do you have in the pipeline?

Sumon: Taneem Rahman Angshu's “Aadi” has been shot, but the release date hasn't been finalised. “Aadi” is my most precious project. I worked the hardest and went through a lot of physical hurdles for it. I tore my left knee ligament during shooting, and still suffer from the pain. We all worked immensely hard for it, and have high hopes for the film.

Tell us a little about the reaction you have received from fans.

Sumon: I have received so many loving messages. One of the messages said if I were to sit for the BCS exams, they have a job ready for me! I'm not too fond of the word 'fan'-- 'admirer' maybe is a better term. But those who received Ashfaque and “Dhaka Attack” so well, they are my biggest inspiration right now.