The response to ‘Dorodia’ has been overwhelming: Tawsif Mahbub

Two of Tawsif Mahbub’s dramas “Dorodia” and “Warish”, released during Eid-ul-Azha, have received tremendous appreciation from audiences. His performance in the romantic drama “Dorodia” earned particular praise for portraying a character unlike any he had played before, while “Warish”, in which he played the role of an elder brother, further strengthened his popularity.

Having recently returned to Dhaka after shooting a new drama in Bhola, Tawsif spoke to The Daily Star about the success of his recent projects and his future aspirations.

In “Dorodia”, Tawsif stars opposite Naznin Niha, while veteran actor Azizul Hakim plays his father. The story follows a young man from a poor family who falls in love with a girl from a wealthy zamindar family. It is essentially a love story that unfolds through a series of dramatic twists and turns, culminating in a deeply tragic ending.

Speaking about the drama, Tawsif said, “Audiences have really connected with the story. We shot it in Nawabganj, where extensive sets were specially constructed for the production. We worked on a large scale, and even the scenes involving fire were filmed using specially built sets.”

Asked about the response he has received for “Dorodia”, he said, “The feedback has been incredible. People close to me have praised the work and, honestly, the drama has buzzed a tremendous response. Many viewers have told me that it feels completely different from anything they have seen before.”

Reflecting on his role, Tawsif added, “I had never played a character like this before. It was certainly challenging. Audiences have seen me in many different roles over the years, but ‘Dorodia’ allowed them to see a different side of me. The response has been overwhelmingly positive.”

Veteran actor Azizul Hakim portrayed his father in the drama. Speaking about working with him, Tawsif said, “Azizul Hakim is an exceptionally talented and respected senior actor. I have worked with him before and have always admired him. However, some of the scenes we shared in ‘Dorodia’ involved situations that would never occur in real life. We developed a wonderful bond while working together.”

He was also quick to acknowledge the director’s contribution. “A great deal of the credit belongs to the director. He executed the project beautifully. All of us came together and gave our best performances.”

Meanwhile, Tawsif has also been receiving widespread praise for his performance in “Warish”. “The story of ‘Warish’ is entirely different,” he said. “Audiences have loved it. I played the role of the eldest brother, and I have received affection and appreciation from countless viewers.”

When asked about his current ambitions, Tawsif replied, “I would love to do more meaningful work on OTT platforms. I enjoy working in television dramas, but OTT projects often explore a wider range of stories and characters, and many of those productions leave a lasting impact. That is something I would like to be part of.”

He recalled his previous OTT project, “Chokro”, saying, “I still receive feedback about ‘Chokro’. People continue to watch it and express their appreciation, which is very encouraging.”

Speaking about his latest work, Tawsif revealed, “I recently completed a shooting schedule for a new drama in Bhola, where I spent several days filming. There is still one more day of shooting left. Keya Payel and Malaika Chowdhury are also part of the cast. The drama is titled ‘Amar Jogote Tumi Amar’. It is a romantic story, but the ending takes an unexpected turn.”

Finally, when asked about the role his parents have played in his career, Tawsif became reflective.

“My parents deserve the greatest credit for everything I have achieved. In fact, my entire journey is because of them. I can never forget their contribution. They ensured that I received a proper education and provided everything I needed to grow up well. Whatever I am today is because of them.”