He is a journalist by profession, but after the film Bachelor (2004), he became an overnight celebrity. If Mostafa Sarwar Farooqi's Bachelor has set a new trend in visual media, Hasan Masood is obviously the one to stir the audience with that trend. The movie also features his performance as a singer. This multi-faceted talent recently talked to The Daily Star (TDS). Excerpts from the conversation:
TDS: How did a journalist become an actor?
Masood: I was approached by Mostafa Sarwar Farooqi to play the role in February 2003. Acting in films is quite time-consuming and I was working at The Daily Star at the time. I spoke to the editor Mahfuz Anam who encouraged me take on the offer and accommodated with granting me a recreation leave for the entire year. Shooting started right away. The film was released a year later on February 1, 2004. Incidentally, I joined BBC the same day.
TDS: Why do you think the character 'Hasan bhai' is so popular?
Masood: Perhaps it is because people can easily relate to the character. I don't really act, I more or less 'react'. I try to become the character I play, understand him, and react the way he would, given the situation.
TDS: Your first acting experience was not stressful?
Masood: Absolutely not.
TDS: Do you think it's necessary to have formal training in acting?
Masood: That's obviously very helpful. There are several different styles and forms, such as acting in theatre, film, television and radio. Formal acting classes help to understand these forms, but it's not a must. Quite a few of world's greatest actors had no institutional training. I think it's important to learn with every role.
TDS: Have you considered taking acting as a fulltime career?
Masood: (Smilingly) Well, no. I am quite content with my career as a journalist. I enjoy acting a lot, but I am proud to be a journalist above all. These two professions are very different from each other, and I don't want to lose my identity as a journalist. Acting will remain a part-time indulgence until I retire from journalism.
TDS: You have released your first music album…
Masood: I've been singing from an early age and I'd completed a 5-year course on Nazrul Sangeet from Chhayanat. Hridoy Ghotito is my first album, released on Valentine's Day last year. Marjuk Russel wrote all of the 10 songs, Sanjeev Chowdhury composed the tunes and Bappa Majumdar arranged the music. I would also like to pursue singing, even though it's difficult for me to make time.
TDS: Of all the roles you've played, which one is your favourite?
Masood: Has to be the lead character of the drama serial Taxi Driver which was aired on Channel 1 some time ago. The serial is being rerun now. The characters I was doing became a bit stereotyped after Bachelor and I think I overcame that with this role.
TDS: Future plans regarding acting?
Masood: I'd like to play some negative roles now.