Fazle Rabbi Khan

Sumon Ghosh is a prominent and promising theatre artist. He has been formally active in theatre from 2006, but he had actually been active in theatre from his childhood and his college life. He has completed his honours and masters in Chemistry from Khulna Government BL College. But as he loves theatre and acting, he is building his life in theatre. Already he has acted as a central role in several stages. His ambition is to establish himself as a successful actor and theatre artist and he wants  to represent Bangladesh through his acting. Y&I recently caught up with this talented theatre actor for an interview.  

How did you start out as an actor?

My father was a jatra artist. Though he was not professional jatra artist, yet he used to practice. He did jatra from his hobby. From my childhood I used to observe my father as a jatra artist. The passion of acting gradually grew in me from my childhood. I started dreaming to become an actor, where jatra, stage and theatre were my main attraction. I acted in  different characters  and dramas  in my student life. I was an active performer of my college theatre. And then finally I started  acting in theatre formally from 2006. This is how I started my journey of an actor in the theatre.

What was your first role as an actor?

Probably it was my luck and also my acting skills, that I built  up from my acting experience, my first job in theatre was the central character of Shiromonir Tank Yuddho Attopor, where my character was Major Manjur.

How do you see the present condition of theatre in bangladesh?

From my observation the present condition of theatre is not so good. There are several reasons. Nowadays people can get entertained easily at home. So most of the people do not want to watch theatre after facing severe traffic jam rather having drama and other kind of entertainment getting at home from TV set. Only those people who are related with theatre, they come and enjoy. So as the audience has decreased the practice of theatre is also decreasing. I think to develop theatre there need to be taken several steps. There are branches of Shilpakala Academy in most of the districts  of Bangladesh.  But most of those are not active. So every Shilpakala Academy in this country needs to be more active and run their activity perfectly.

Why do you think theater is important?

The world of theatre is like a place where a person can groom himself or herself depending on the world scenario. According to me, theatre is not only a place for learning acting, but also this is a place where people can learn how to lead life, how to learn life. So, theatre is that much important like any other important thing in life.
What according to you is the difference between group theatre and commercial theatre?

There is a vast difference between group theatre and commercial theatre. Commercial theatre is that theatre practice where the theatre activities, dramas and other things are made for commercial purpose. When it is commercial theatre, then it is all about making money. But the group theatre is more like proper practice of art and acting. Group theatre tries  to portray about contemporary issues, the facts within the society rather having any commercial purpose.

Tell us about the plays you’ve performed in until now?

So far I have performed in several stages. Like, Shiromonir Tank Yuddho Attopor as Major Manjur, Nonajol as Jomidar Shailen Ghosh, 1971 as Major Azaz Ahmed, Ulat Palot as MatlobMolla, Sajano Bagan as Jomidar Naw Kori Datta, Mahabidda as Kotowal, Pazgi as Pazgi Mia, Gazanan Charito Manus as Gazanan, Khakshiel as Badok, Jomidar Darpon as Jomidar Miraz Ali.

What advice would you give to someone who wants  to do what you do?

Rather dreaming to become popular or having commercial purpose, I think every theatre artist should build art in their thyself. They should prepare themselves to act properly. They should fix their aim properly and go their accordingly. They should attain the art of acting in any way.

What keeps you busy these days?

Recently I have acted in a serial drama named Nil Dongshon directed by Afzal Hossain. It will be telecast soon. Also I will be busy in shooting in the last week of this month. And I will start acting in cinema from this November.

Do you have any plans to work in Television drama?

Yes! I already have acted one as earlier said and I have been planning and preparing myself to work in TV drama. And now I am getting call for TV drama from different directors and even for cinema. I want to act any kind of medium what carries proper value of art. That can be TV drama or cinema.

What are your ambitions?

My ambition is, I want to establish myself as a successful actor and theatre artist. I want to represent my country through my acting.