ON LIFE & EXPERIENCES

Rafi Hossain: Today we are joined by actor Bappy Chowdhury. Tell me Bappy, how are you passing your current times?

Bappy Chowdhury: I have been getting to spend a lot of time with my family nowadays. I grew up in a joint family, and we still all live as a joint family, so we all get to spend a lot of time together. There is a gym at my house, so after waking up in the morning, I also make sure to work out and keep myself in shape. I was working on a few projects before the lockdown. However, when COVID-19 rates were rising, we had to put a temporary halt to our work. I hope that once things normalize a bit more, we can start again.

Rafi: Which were the projects that you started

working on?

Bappy: One of them is Ashraf Shishir directed 570. I have already finished shooting on that one. I also worked on Apurba Rana's Give and Take. There were some other projects for which I also got to work. However, while we did our shooting, we made sure to comply with the regulations to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. While shooting, we made sure that the whole crew was together in a protective bubble, and for the entirety of the shooting, no one was allowed to leave that circle. Thankfully, we were able to do our shootings safely, and nothing had happened to us.

Rafi: Do you think once the pandemic ends people will start coming to theatres regularly?

Bappy: I do think that people will start watching more movies in theatres once the pandemic ends. People have indeed lost the habit of coming to see cinema in theatres, but I think that with time they will form the habit again. I also hope that the three hundred cinema halls that were open and running before the pandemic hit will begin showing films once things get back to normal again. As far as I know, only fifty to sixty halls are operating now due to the pandemic, and it is hard to sustain cinema halls profit as many people cannot go. I request people that once everything is fine, please watch movies in theatres and support the industry. If people don't support the industry, it becomes a challenge to create good movies.

Rafi: You had a film premiere on Eid. How was the response to it?

Bappy: I had a film premiere on television for Eid. It was called Priyo Komola, and Shahriar Nazim Joy directed it. It was produced under the banner of Impress Telefilm. The reaction I got from the audiences for this project was very positive, and people seemed to like it a lot. However, one thing that I am a bit upset about is that this project could not be released in cinema halls. I also got to know about it releasing on television just two or three days before it was released. I am a commercial actor, and I think it is my duty to reach my audiences. I always did that by having my films coming out on many halls. I wish that it could have been the same case for this film. But I am still happy as the reviews for this film was very good.

Rafi: What have you learnt in the time you have been in the showbiz industry?

Bappy: I have been in the showbiz industry for over eight years now. I started working at a very early age, and this industry has taught me everything I know. I think I started acting when I was about to start university. This industry helped me mature a lot. I have thirty-five films releases through the industry, and all of these taught me great things. I matured as an actor through the works I have done so far.

Rafi: The industry right now is in a difficult place. What can we all do to save the industry?

Bappy: The main thing is we need to create better projects. If we give the audiences movies that are unique, they will start to come and support the industry. I observe that clips from films or trailers released on YouTube are getting good views. This indicates people are interested in new movies, and they are even willing to watch them from home. So, all we need to do is make good movies. If we want to preserve our industry, it is crucial to make sure the cinema halls are still active. Another thing that should be done is that in every shopping mall, there should be at least two or three cineplexes. I have seen that in many other countries, and I think we should follow it.

Rafi: I think that not too many young artists are coming into the industry. Why do you think that is?

Bappy: No, I think that the movie industry has a lot of young blood in it. Many amazing artists came after me and are doing great projects. However, with the rise of dramas and OTT platforms, many artists choose to work for dramas rather than cinemas.

Rafi: Would you ever be interested in working on a web series?

Bappy: I would be interested in doing a web series. I have not done any series for an OTT platform, but I am considering it. I have received a few offers; some I am reading and others which I said no. If I am to enter the OTT platforms, I want to do it with a good project. So, I'm waiting to get a role which I think will be good enough.

Rafi: Do you have any final message for the readers?

Bappy: I want to thank my fans as I would not be where I am today without them. It is with their support that I came so far, and I hope they continue to support me in the days to come. I am forever indebted to my fans, and I would like to ask all of you to pray for me so that I can continue to work on amazing projects for you all to enjoy.