Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

FAMILY TIME

Nowadays, I'm entirely at leisure. I'm not busy with films like I once used to be. So, I take up roles that completely match my interests. But, as an artist, there's always that hunger to work. That is why, I have played many different kind of characters throughout my career. Although many people have expressed their criticism towards this, I have always had a positive approach. However, as we age, we go through certain changes in life that help us to grow. The changes vary from person to person. My son lives abroad, so all my spare time goes to my wife and daughter. I pass my time with my family, and watch movies together or travel to places.

SPORTS ADDICTION

I used to be a good footballer in the past. I was also interested in cricket. My love for sports earned me an earful of my family's scolding. But, their attempts were futile as I was really addicted to football and cricket. Nowadays I watch sports on television, whenever I have time.

ON THE FLIPSIDE

If I wasn't an actor, I probably would have played football or cricket. Both the sports had a huge impact on my life. Words can't express their importance.

ENCOURAGING FIGURE

My inspiration is my father. He was a big fan of Bollywood movies, and encouraged me to watch them as well. He was a fan of Dilip Kumar, and used to watch his films often. It's because of his encouraging words that I'm an actor today.

QUESTIONABLE VICES

I'm a bit short tempered, and always speak the truth without considering others' feelings. That is why, a lot of people dislike me. There is another thing that worries me: I don't care much about other people's opinions. I only engage in the activities that give me pleasure, which, I believe, is one of the reasons behind my success.

STRANGE OCCURRENCES

A long time ago, a man came to our doorstep with a goat, and my mother answered the door. The man then asked her if she really was my mother. She said yes, and upon hearing this, he sacrificed the goat in front of her in my honour. He mentioned that he had come to visit her as she was the one who gave birth to me. My mother asked him to stay back and meet me as I was away, shooting for a film, but he refused to do so. I still do not know who that man was.

DECADES OF TOGETHERNESS

I first met my wife, Moushumi when we were both shooting for the film, Dola, directed by Dilip Some. I have worked in more than forty films with her. We got married back in 1995, and have spent a lot of time in each other's company since then. We have been together for the past twenty-four years.

Transcribed by Reina Ahmed