Ferdous Hasan: The man of a thousand scripts

In the Bangladeshi media industry, the name Ferdous Hasan shines as a multifaceted talent—a scriptwriter, director, writer, and music composer, known for crafting thousands of drama scripts and 40 film scripts throughout his illustrious career. His literary works have also earned praise from avid readers. In a recent development, Ferdous Hasan has penned the script for the upcoming film "Kobi", directed by Hasibur Reza Kollol.

As we delve into the depths of his career and gain insights into his thoughts, Ferdous Hasan reflects on the evolution of drama and media in Bangladesh. He harks back to the '80s when he, like many scriptwriters of his time, believed in the transformative power of drama to bring about social change, even if subtly. He shared, "I always tried to incorporate a message through my dramas so that people could be aware of the social issues."

Today, as he observes contemporary dramas, he notes a shift in focus. The social message that was once a cornerstone of the medium appears to have taken a backseat. "Now, scriptwriters or directors focus more on entertainment than awareness," he said.

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"Watching dramas with family has become a challenge due to the excessive use of explicit language," he added. He also expressed concern about the current emphasis on views and popularity over the quality of scripts. Ferdous Hasan thinks that not all popular dramas equate to good content. He emphasised, "Views can never be the pillar of our judgment of good quality content."

The scarcity of well-read individuals in today's media industry is another pressing issue. According to Ferdous Hasan, writing demands a deep understanding of literature, and neglecting classic works of writers, such as Tagore and Nazrul, can impact the quality of scripts. He lamented, "This generation doesn't know the charm of reading books, and it's affecting today's media industry. There are barely efficient writers to produce quality scripts."

Photos: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed.

Reflecting on his own prolific career, Ferdous Hasan attributes his success to his dedication and early achievements. He recalled, "I started my career in 1981 with drama, Jhinuk Nirobe Shoho. After that, I never had to look back." His debut drama featured renowned actors Afsana Mimi and Tony Dayes. Following that, his drama, "Jhumka", won the prestigious Best Drama award on BTV. From that point onward, Ferdous became a prominent figure in the industry, with top actors appearing in his productions. His notable works include "Rajje Fera', Joya Ahsan and Mahfuz Ahmed starrer "Chokher Aloy", Tanveen Sweety and Litu Anam starrer "Prothom Dekha", Zahid Hasan and Richi Solaiman starrer "Ontore Boiragir Lau", Shomi Kaiser and Tauquir Ahmed starrer "Nokhotro Diner Golpo", Zahid Hasan and Mou starrer "Onno Tepantor", "Shukher Bondore", "Birpurush Boshikoron", "Boka Manush", "Chad Poka Ghun Poka", "Thake Shudhu Valobasha", and "Jibon Jemon".

When questioned about his ability to manage an astounding number of scripts during his three-decade-long career, Ferdous revealed that he often had to write scripts on the spot, even while on set. He reminisced, "Sometimes, it feels like a miracle for me when I think about it." At one point, he juggled four mega serials airing simultaneously on different channels—an achievement that, in hindsight, appears almost miraculous.

Looking ahead, Ferdous Hasan wants to dedicate his time to writing more books and directing projects for OTT platforms and films.