‘Let my work speak for itself’: Ador Azad

For the past few years, Ador Azad has quietly but consistently made his mark in Dhallywood. While all eyes usually stay glued to superstar Shakib Khan's films, Ador has been steadily building his presence, just a step behind the front line. 

Now, with Eid around the corner, he's got a new film lined up for release—one that might just turn more heads in his direction.

During a recent chat with Ador, the actor opened up about the upcoming film, his role in it, and a few behind-the-scenes stories that fans will definitely want to hear.

The movie, 'Tagar', is set to hit theatres this coming Eid. With Puja Cherry as the leading actress and Ador in the spotlight, there's no doubt this film is going to draw plenty of attention. 

The two will be seen together on screen in a fresh pairing that has already created buzz. Since Eid releases always come with a special kind of hype, having two popular faces in one film only adds fuel to the fire.

Speaking about it, he shared, "I think having a well-known or skilled co-actor definitely adds something extra to a film's impact. It also pushes you to elevate your own performance."

As for how well 'Tagar' will perform during the Eid season—that's still up for debate. There's plenty of speculation, especially with Shakib Khan's highly anticipated film 'Taandob' releasing at the same time. Given Shakib's massive fan following, most theatres are expected to favour 'Taandob', which naturally raises concerns about the box office potential for 'Tagar'.

Ador seems aware of the challenge—but also ready to face it.

"This is really a matter for the production house," he says thoughtfully. "But last Eid, we saw four different films, and each of them found success in its own way. It's actually a good time for Bangla cinema, because even when several films release together, they're still managing to do good business. We saw that clearly last Ramadan. I believe Tagar will entertain the audience, and I hope people will walk out of the theatre feeling satisfied."

In Dhallywood, breaking through as a newcomer is no easy feat. Many promising faces come and go, vanishing after just a few films. But Ador has been an exception. Year after year, he's continued to work consistently, surviving the ups and downs, the criticisms, the setbacks—and still holding his ground.

So what gives him the mental strength to keep going in such a cutthroat industry?

"I've been receiving love from the audience since the beginning," he says with quiet confidence. "Sure, maybe none of my films have been massive blockbusters. But almost all of them have been talked about—'Talash', 'Lipstick', and more. 

Ador reiterates that he draws his strength from the encouragement he receives from his audience. Naturally optimistic, he firmly believes in the power of persistence and staying the course.

"You can't just give up—you've got to keep pushing. And a lot of my emotional support comes from my family too."

There's no denying it—cinema halls in Bangladesh are disappearing, one by one. And while storytelling, acting, and direction are all crucial to the growth of cinema, there's one ingredient without which the entire ecosystem collapses—the theatre itself. 

Yet, each year, a few more halls shut their doors, replaced by shopping malls or other establishments. It's a trend that worries many, including Ador.

He doesn't shy away from the issue. In a laid-back but earnest tone, he says,

"The problem isn't just with the hall owners. If we had at least one good film every month—outside of just the Eid releases—then halls wouldn't be shutting down. In fact, I believe they'd improve. Audiences would return if they had a reason to. So pointing fingers won't help. We need to give people good reasons to return to the theatres."

In an era where YouTube and social media dominate daily life, many believe cinema halls have lost their appeal. Content is now just a tap away—fast, convenient, and always within reach. 

Some suggest that filmmakers should start crafting stories with digital platforms in mind. The irony, however, is clear— while audiences have embraced the digital world, the film industry still seems to be catching up.

But Ador sees things differently. He doesn't view social media as competition. "There's no need to compete with social media," he says simply. According to him, a well-made film has lasting value—far beyond its release date. "A good film lives on for years," he adds. 

In his view, the industry has already made strides toward becoming more tech-savvy. "We're improving, slowly but surely," he explains. And while the digital shift is real, Ador believes cinema must still include those who haven't fully stepped into that world. "We can't just leave them behind—they're part of our audience too."

His approach to his own career mirrors this thoughtful mindset. He's not rushing toward fame, but working steadily. "Of course, I have a goal," he says, "but I'd rather let my work speak for itself than spell everything out."