Azam Khan: A banker turned actor

Whenever he can fit the time, busy banker Azam Khan is in front of the camera. Within just a year and a half, he has appeared in 40 TV plays, serials and tele-films. Starting his career in publishing, he switched to the development sector where he worked for 11 years. He has an 18-year illustrious career as a banker. In a recent conversation, the actor shared his journey and experience with The Daily Star. Excerpts:   

“During my school and college days I took part in stage plays, debates, extempore speeches and poetry recitation. At university I became associated with social organisations. In 2009, I became head of marketing for a private bank and participated in TV talk shows on trade, commerce, finance and sports.  It was then that I became interested in doing TV plays and expressed my interest to Chandan Sinha and Colonel Hassan. They put me in touch with TV play directors. My first assignment was in a tele-film called 'Hero', aired on Channel i and directed by FQ Peter.  My first appearance on TV was with actor Shahiduzzaman Selim. Later I worked in a TV serial, aired on BTV and directed by Farhad Faisal. I played the role of a village school teacher, who is committed to social work.”

“Later, Chandan Sinha introduced me to director Chayanika Chowdhury, who gave me an opportunity to work for her ambitious Eid play called 'Shesher Porey'. I donned the role of a lawyer for noted actors Mahfuz Ahmed and Shomi Kaisar in the play. I worked in TV plays, serials, tele-films directed by Chayanika Chowdhury. I also worked in Mahfuz Ahmed's tele-film 'Shoini Pru' during Eid-ul-Azha. It was an interesting story with Tisha in the role of my daughter who had been lost in a landslide. I also worked for some TV plays, serials and tele-films directed by BO Shubho, Shakhawat Manik and ProgNa Niharika. Based on a popular song by S I Tutul, I featured in a music video, directed by Tania Ahmed.”

“I am grateful to Chayanika Chowdhury, who gave me the opportunity to work in many of her TV plays and tele-films including 'Amader Borsha', 'E Ki Sonar Aloye', 'Nilabho Bisshoron' and 'Sobuj Manush'. I have so far worked with the actors of the '80s to present generations. I worked opposite Doly Zahur in 'Life in A Metro'. I have also worked with Sharmili Ahmed, Syed Hasan Imam, Shami Kaiser, Afsana Mimi, Aruna Biswas and picked up a great deal from them.

 “Getting leisure time is tough for a banker and I often sacrifice my holidays and family time for shoots. My daughter Ananya misses me a lot,” he concludes.