My son’s praises meant everything to me: Zahid Hasan
One of the most celebrated faces in Bangladeshi television drama, Zahid Hasan has captivated millions with memorable performances across a wide range of roles. His contributions to cinema have also been recognised with multiple National Film Awards.
Beyond acting, Zahid Hasan has directed numerous television dramas, including the widely acclaimed serial “Laal Neel Beguni”.
His latest performance in “Pothohara Mon”, which premiered on the Cinemawala YouTube channel on Thursday night, has once again won over audiences. Directed by Muhammad Mostafa Kamal Raz, the drama sees Zahid Hasan portraying a father—a role that viewers have rarely seen him play. His emotionally charged performance has left many in tears and sparked an outpouring of appreciation across social media, where countless viewers have praised both his acting and the drama's moving story.
Reflecting on the overwhelming response, the actor said, "Beyond my family, the people closest to me are journalists, my colleagues in the entertainment industry, and above all, the audience. They mean everything to me. Many people have called to tell me how much they enjoyed the drama. Their appreciation is what matters most. I'm truly happy that people have praised the performances and connected with the story."
The actor also credited director Raz for bringing the project to life. "I want to thank Raz," he said. "He created the drama around a wonderful story that audiences have connected with deeply. Raz and I have known each other for many years and have worked together before. When he shared the script and my character with me, I immediately told him, 'I'm with you’. He simply replied, 'Please stay with me, brother’."
The appreciation for “Pothohara Mon” has not only come from audiences but has also reached Zahid Hasan's home.
“My only son, Purno, came to me after the drama was released and said, ‘Baba, everyone is praising your performance. People are talking about the story everywhere—I have to watch it’. Hearing that made me incredibly happy. It meant that news of a genuinely good drama had reached even him. He told me he wanted to watch it, which reminded me that good work always earns appreciation and love.”
Asked why the drama has resonated so strongly with viewers, Zahid Hasan said, "Drama reflects life. It tells stories about people and their experiences, and “Pothohara Mon” does exactly that. Some stories leave a lasting impression—they touch people and stay with them. Audiences always want meaningful stories, and this drama has one."
Speaking about the affection he continues to receive from audiences, Zahid Hasan said, "I've been fortunate to receive immense love from viewers throughout my career. They love me, and I love and respect them in return. Whenever I get the chance to perform in a meaningful story with a strong character, their appreciation moves me deeply. Many people told me they cried while watching ‘Pothohara Mon’, and I'm grateful to them."
He also praised his fellow cast members for their performances.
"Totini and Khairul Basar were excellent. Deepa did a wonderful job in her role. Monira Mithu was outstanding, and Dr Ejaz Bhai was equally impressive. The truth is, just as cooking requires many ingredients, a drama cannot be carried by one actor alone. It takes the collective effort of an entire cast to create something beautiful.”
Looking back on the role, Zahid Hasan admitted that he initially thought his screen time was relatively limited.
"At first, I felt that my character only appeared in a few scenes, while most of the drama focused on the other characters," he said with a smile. "But in reality, my character is at the heart of ‘Pothohara Mon’. Everything revolves around the father. It was deeply satisfying to play such a central role. Throughout my career, I've played heroes and many different kinds of characters, and this was another role I truly enjoyed."
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