Mega serials need stories, not stars: Director Sazzad Shuman

Sazzad Shuman earned prominence in Bangladeshi television for his contributions as a drama director. Over the last decade, he has established himself as a skilled professional, with his most notable work being 'Mashrafe Junior.' The drama, which aired on Deepto TV, ran for over four years and concluded on 2 January after surpassing 1,200 episodes.

'Mashrafe Junior' follows the inspiring journey of Moni, a young woman from a rural village who dreams of becoming a professional cricketer. Portrayed by the talented Safana Nomoni, Moni embarks on a challenging path as she moves to the city with her childhood friend Ayan, driven by a promise to her brother. However, her pursuit of cricket faces hurdles when Ayan marries Runa, who initially obstructs Moni's dreams but later becomes her strongest supporter.

The drama captures Moni's relentless struggle against various challenges, including personal sacrifices, the intense scrutiny of the national cricket board, and threats from match-fixers, keeping audiences eagerly awaiting her success in representing Bangladesh.

Written by Ahmed Khan, screenplay by Asfidul Haque, and dialogues by Maruf Hasan, 'Mashrafe Junior' has surpassed many dramas that fade after 100 episodes. Its success reflects the team's dedication and proves that despite digital competition, engaging storytelling can still captivate traditional TV audiences.

"In Bangladesh, making a drama series beyond 200 episodes is challenging. When I started 'Mashrafe Junior', TV viewership was declining, and audiences preferred YouTube, so we had to rethink our approach," said Shuman.

The decline of long-running television dramas has sparked much debate in the industry. While some argue that actors are losing interest in serials, others believe audiences have shifted their preferences. 

However, Shuman thinks the core issue lies within the industry itself. He stated, "People used to watch serial dramas enthusiastically, but over the years, directors failed to create content that could hold their attention. A proper industry for producing mega serials was never established." 

Shuman emphasised that success doesn't depend on star power but on "a good story, strong dialogues, and careful planning." 

"For it to work, mega serials need good stories, not stars," Shuman added. He credited the success of 'Mashrafe Junior' to Deepto TV's efficient organisation and suggested that other channels could achieve similar results by following their example.

The decline of family-oriented themes in modern dramas is a growing concern, as most current scripts focus on a few characters and end too quickly, decreasing audience engagement. Shuman believes the issue is not due to budget constraints but stems from weak storytelling. 

"Dramas are now judged by view counts, which is disappointing," he stated, adding that the tradition of producing special dramas for national events has largely disappeared. 

Despite ongoing discussions about reforming the entertainment industry, Shuman feels significant changes are still required.

"The industry has been unstructured for a long time, and collective efforts are needed to bring order and professionalism," shared Shuman.

Like many directors, Shuman aspires to make feature films. 

"I have been dreaming of making a movie for the past ten years," he admitted. However, he acknowledges the challenges of breaking into the film industry, especially its dependence on star power. 

"Right now, the film business in Bangladesh revolves around Shakib Khan. If my story doesn't include him, will it succeed commercially? These are serious considerations," he explained. 

Despite these obstacles, Shuman remains optimistic about digital platforms, saying, "Even if I don't get to make films for theatres, I am eager to work on content for OTT platforms."