Ashfaque Nipun: A director who enjoys difficult subjects

Ashfaq Nipun's two telefilms released on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha – 'Victim' and 'Eti Maa' garnered a lot of attention and critical acclaim. As always, the director took on difficult subjects from everyday life for portrayal in the films. 

Judging by the way people are talking about the plays online and in social media, the director feels he was successful in connecting with the audience. This always happens when the story is powerful. Nipun feels these two were two of his best works. 

The correspondent asked Nipun about the process of selecting a story. 

Ashfaque Nipun. Photo: Courtesy

"I prefer working on taboo subjects in society, my mind revolves around the topics that people are afraid to acknowledge. While selecting a story, I keep these in mind," he said. 

He wants his stories to move people in a way that they question their own actions or be able to relate to their own situation. 

The plot for 'Victim' came to him a year ago when the "Me Too" movement was at its peak. With time, the movement has slowed down. This is why he changed the plot a bit. 

The story starts after a lady gets sexually harassed by her boss in the office. She files a complaint after two years of the incident. The boss gets temporarily released from his duty. 

Amidst the controversy, his family find themselves in an awkward situation and become socially isolated. But the story raises the question "who is the real victim?"

Ashfaque Nipun. Photo: Courtesy

In the end all the issues are resolved. 

Afran Nisho, Safa Kabir and Opi Karim starred in 'Victim'. 

Nipun feels as an artist he has some responsibilities towards the society. Television is a big medium to reach the masses with a message. Stories with a message may not get views in the beginning but they reach people eventually. 

His other popular telefilm last Eid was Eti Maa. 

"I have been working on social issues for the last five to six years, and yet have not worked on a story focusing on a mother, or siblings. Eti Maa filled that gap for me. I put a lot of effort into it and this work gave me mental satisfaction."

In this drama we got to see Afrin Nisho and Eshita. 

Both Eshita and Opi Karim returned to small screen for the Eid telefilms, after years.

Talking about that, Nipun said, "As a director I am very careful about casting. In this case, the stories demanded them." He talked about YouTube view of his works. 

"YouTube views are important but it always cannot define your good works. In our country, romance and comedy are the most popular genres on YouTube. However, there are audience who wants to see social stories as well." 

Nipun was set to direct a film named "Golla" but there has not been much development in that project. He said the pre-production work is still going on. 

"Golla is a political thriller. We need to shoot the film all over the country. Coronavirus has disrupted our flow of work. We will start working on the project as soon as the coronavirus is over". 

He said he plans on making more movies, series and dramas based on social issues like crossfire, unnatural death, abduction and disappearances.