‘The audience has given me so much’
Ziaul Faruq Apurba remains one of the most recognisable faces in Bangladesh’s television drama landscape, with a career that continues to evolve and expand. Over the years, he has built an impressive body of work, with numerous popular fictions to his name, including the record-breaking Boro Chele. Beyond television, he has also carved out a space for himself on OTT platforms and received appreciation for his performances in films across the border in Kolkata.
This Eid, audiences will see him in two new dramas—"Ochena Ami”, directed by Taneem Rahman Angshu, and “Maya Pakhi”, directed by Jakaria Showkhin—further adding to his already prolific on-screen presence.
In a recent conversation with The Daily Star, Apurba reflected on his journey, speaking candidly about his career, collaborators, and the relationships that have shaped him as an artiste.
When asked how fortunate he feels in his position today, Apurba’s response was immediate and heartfelt. “I see myself as extremely fortunate,” he said. “Among so many professions, I belong to one where we receive immense love and respect from people. The audience has given me so much, and they continue to do so—I am deeply grateful.”
Looking back on his early days in the industry, he emphasised the generosity he encountered from senior artistes. “I received a great deal of support and affection,” he recalled. “Even as a newcomer, I had the chance to work with established stars, and they welcomed me warmly.”
Among those who left a lasting impression was Gazi Rakayet. “I must begin with him,” Apurba said. “Working under his direction in my early days taught me a great deal. I also learned from him as a co-actor.”
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He also spoke fondly of his collaborations with fellow actors. “There was a time when I acted in numerous dramas opposite Tarin, and the audience responded very positively to those works,” he said. “I’ve also worked extensively with Aupee Karim and Mahfuz Ahmed. From each of them, I received immense support and affection.”
Reflecting on the directors who have influenced his career, Apurba highlighted Chayanika Chowdhury, under whose direction he has done many dramas. He also acknowledged Ferdous Hasan Rana and Shihab Shaheen, noting that he learned a great deal from working with them and remains grateful for their guidance.
His memories of co-actors are equally rooted in gratitude. “Many of my contemporaries—Adnan Faruque Hillol, Zakia Bari Mamo, and Anisur Rahman Milon bhai—have supported me in different ways,” he said. “If I ever struggled with dialogue delivery, they would step in and help. That kind of support on set is invaluable.”
After more than fifteen years in the industry, Apurba now finds himself working alongside a new generation of actors, many of whom look up to him. “I have deep respect and affection for juniors, and they, in turn, respect me,” he said. “My journey has been very positive. Just as I respect my seniors, I try to extend the same warmth to those who are younger.”
Although he once directed a telefilm titled “Backdated”, Apurba has not returned to directing since. “I am an actor, and I love acting,” he explained. “With the demands of work, I haven’t been able to focus on direction again.”
Among his many works, “Boro Chele”, directed by Mizanur Rahman Aryan, remains a defining milestone. “People still talk about it,” he said. “It’s a significant achievement in my career. So many viewers came up to me and shared their feelings. One young man told me that after watching the drama, he decided he would never hurt his parents again. That’s when I realised the story would stay with people.”
Speaking about the widely discussed “Eta Amaderi Golpo”, Apurba added, “After watching it, I called its director, Raz and actor Irfan Sajjad. The drama moved us to tears—it felt like our own story.”
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