Sumon Anwar, Photos: Collected

Filmmaker, scriptwriter, and actor Sumon Anwar always stands out from the crowd, be it with his unusually calm yet enigmatic role in Robiul Alam Robi's anthology series "Unoloukik", or his gruesome dialogues in Raihan Rafi's political thriller "Khachar Bhitor Ochin Pakhi".

On the other hand, his directorial releases like the Chorki original fiction "Joar Bhata" and Bioscope's "Mood Swing", turns the spotlight on feminism in the media. In a candid chat with the Daily Star, the polymath talks about his recent ventures, and more.

You have carved a space for yourself as an actor and a director, especially on OTT platforms. How is being in front of the camera different from being behind it?

Each form of art has its unique kind of expression, and as an artiste, it is my duty to present that meaningfully.  I rely on what each story demands from my characters.

However, while I am behind the camera, my priority is to ensure the comfort of my time. Crowd, chaos or conflict only lead to disrupted minds, and creativity can never thrive in such atmospheres.

You usually play antagonistic roles that are strong willed and gruesome, but in your directorial ventures, you always highlight strength and resilience of women. What is your intention behind this?

I always intend to vocalise the thoughts and struggles of women in our society. I also look to only present them as faces that we often come across in our rural areas, as I hope to empower and inspire such women, while making them aware of their own capabilities.

Your recent performances is being widely appreciated by the audience. How do such responses effect you?

The overall preference has changed, and the emergence of OTT platforms is managing to ensure viewership while maintaining the quality of work.  Our work is reaching audiences all over the globe through social media, where we directly get to interact with them, which is fantastic.

However, I don't believe that criticism should become a tool when it comes to limiting your thoughts as a performer.

What are your upcoming projects?

I plan to work on the second season of "Sadorghater Tiger". I also have a few upcoming films,  including Mezbaur Rahman Sumon's "Hawa", alongside OTT projects.