TBT DESK

Tawsif Mahbub has established himself as one of the dependable faces of the small screen over the past decade and a half. From romance and family conflicts to emotional narratives and unconventional characters, he has repeatedly explored different shades of acting.

The latest example is Apon Por, which presents a different side of the actor beyond the romantic stories he is often associated with. Centred on a child’s longing for a mother’s love and acceptance, the drama follows Rifat, played by Tawsif, who loses his mother at a young age and later yearns for the same affection from his stepmother as a biological child.

Tawsif brings Rifat’s emotional journey to life, particularly in the final part of the drama, when the character makes a major sacrifice to fulfil his mother’s wish. Released on CMV’s YouTube channel in the middle of last month, Apon Por quickly drew a large audience and sparked emotional reactions. Some viewers found similarities between the story and their own lives, while others said the drama moved them to tears. Tawsif’s performance was also widely praised.

The actor considers the audience’s response one of the biggest rewards of his career.

“Since the drama was released, I have received a lot of love from the audience. Everyone is praising the performances. Many people are sharing their appreciation on Facebook, while some are also talking about their own pain, which affects me emotionally. Still, I feel happy knowing that my performance has left an impression on the audience. As an actor, there can be no greater sense of fulfilment than that,” he said.

Tawsif first gained widespread attention with the Valentine’s Day drama All Time Dourer Upor in 2013. Since then, he has built a loyal audience through television dramas and continued to experiment with different stories and characters.

He is now working with a new generation of artistes across several projects. He stars opposite Shreyasi Shreya in the web series Pranbhomra, directed by Vicky Zahed. He will also be seen alongside Tanzim Saiara Totini in the drama Chhuye Dilam Tomay, which is scheduled to be released tomorrow, Friday, on Capital Drama’s YouTube channel.

One of the defining qualities of Tawsif’s acting is his naturalness. His performances often feel less like conventional acting and more like an intimate portrayal of familiar emotions and everyday experiences. This quality has helped him connect particularly well with younger audiences.

He is also selective about his work, preferring projects that offer strong stories and meaningful characters. Each new role, he says, gives him an opportunity to learn and expand his range as an actor.

Over the years, Tawsif has earned popularity, audience affection and experience across a wide variety of roles. One regret, however, remains: he never had the opportunity to work with legendary writer and filmmaker Humayun Ahmed.

Leaving that regret behind, Tawsif continues to move forward, taking on new characters and adapting to the changing tastes of audiences.

For his viewers, the expectation is clear: to see him explore even more diverse roles in the years ahead.