Hridi Haq in a new avatar

Audiences in Bangladesh are familiar with Hridi Haq’s acting skills on TV and stage. They have also seen her as a TV show host, and enjoyed the serial “Amader Anandobari” written by her. However, in “Nineteen Twenty”, a serial aired on ntv, she displays her latest feat as a director. She has also been hosting a show called “Media Bhubon” on Banglavision.
Hridi is currently busy directing two other serials, written by her, titled “Dewal” and” Icarus-er Dana”. The first is being handled solely by Hridi, while she is co-directing the latter with Kamruzzaman Roni. The premieres of both serials were held recently. The cast for “Dewal” includes Hridi, Lucky Inam, Litu Anam, Shahriar Nazim Joy, Kushum Sikdar, Tanzika, Shwagota, Sazzad Reza, Mahmudul Islam and Subarna Sejuti.
“Icarus-er Dana” boasts a star studded cast comprising Dr. Inamul Haq, Lucky Inam, Al Mamun, Shompa Reza, Kayes Chowdhury, Mahbuba Rezanur, Litu Anam, Kushum Sikdar, Sajal, Hridi Haq, Sazzad Reza, Tanzika and Nowshin. Talking about the two serials, Hridi said, although it is a huge challenge to both write and direct two serials for TV, she has tried her best to produce first-rate works. Asked if TV serials are purely for entertainment, Hridi says it is definitely part of the purpose, but added that serials/plays should have messages woven in.
Hridi says that she did a lot of homework before trying her hand as a director, instead of just jumping ill prepared into the deep end. She adds that she carefully sharpened her directorial skills during the shooting of “Amader Anandobari” and mastered the necessary editing skills. “Whether TV or the silver screen, one must have sufficient knowledge about the field before one decides to join one’s peers,” she adds.
When asked about her target as a director, Hridi says that a noteworthy work is all she seeks to make, since direction is as enjoyable as writing the script. Hridi admitted that acting, directing and writing simultaneously means fewer appearances on stage. But she says that she can sacrifice time for TV, but not for theatre, as she is at her best on stage.
On hosting “Media Bhubon”, Hridi says that this was completely unplanned. While working at Banglavision, the CEO of the channel, Mostafizur Rahman, made an offer that she could not refuse. However, it turned out to be a golden opportunity as she is basking in the enormous fan response for the show.
Acting, writing, hosting, directing, how is life going for Hridi? She simply says “good.”

Courtesy of The Daily Star