Mosharraf Karim has no regrets in his lengthy career. But he has a hunger. He wants to act in all kinds of roles without compromising on the industry standard. He believes that time will judge art. The actor spoke to Cinebuzz Times on these assorted topics.
You have gained a lot of popularity in your career spanning over two decades. Still, are there any shortcomings in your acting career?
There is no lack or regret. But there is hunger. And that is, all the characters want to lick and taste.
Has there ever been a moment when you felt ‘unworthy’?
I had no idea where I was now. But sometimes I felt like this trial wasn’t fair. But I didn’t worry too much about it.
On screen, you make the audience laugh. From that point on, I want to know, what does comedy mean to you?
People want joy. They want to laugh. I call comedy healing. Once I was very depressed, and at that time I started watching a war film. Then I started feeling worse. Later I went to Mr. Bean. After watching it continuously, I realized that my depression was gone. At that moment, I felt like this was medicine. It’s a great thing.
You have also been seen in serious roles—
My job is to act. If I can’t do it, then it’s better not to do it. But in terms of art, I cannot say that too forcefully. Without being too boastful, I can say that I enjoy acting.
Is there any formula for art?
There is no so-called formula for art, like A plus B is a square or any calculation in commerce. Art is very free. It is not limited to any formula. This is the greatness of this place. Many people take this opportunity. Since there is no formula, it is okay to go in. Then I do whatever I want. Art is judged by time. Art must be learned by living. But children are not taught language through grammar. When you hear it all around, sometimes father says, sometimes mother says. Some words are passed around. You can say I am going home, or not, I am going home. It seems to me that this is how art is also taught.
According to you, many people do whatever they want. What advice would you give them in terms of practicing art?
Does he have the patience to live with art? Why can’t I be crazy? I often say this, jackfruit never cries in the month of Summer, why haven’t I ripened yet? People do this, I have not been able to do it yet! First understand whether you love acting or not. What is the way to understand that? If you feel bored with the practice and study that goes into acting, then you do not love acting. You should leave. But if you like doing these things, you do not feel bad walking five miles to rehearsals, it does not feel like a struggle. Then you love it.
You are great in OTT too. Do you have any plans to settle down in this medium after leaving drama?
I never worry about settling down in OTT or not! Whether I should do a drama or movie on television or YouTube or not, these thoughts do not work in me. If I hear a story, then it moves or excites me – great character, I must do it. That is important to me. But I want OTT platforms to be more popular.
Is YouTube viewing a measure of popularity?
There is no problem with popularity. We want people to see our work. Now how do we want to become popular? That craziness is especially important. I got overly excited to get popular. But I do not have that quality. Now that you are doing interviews, if I give interviews while giving digbazi, people will watch it more. Now should I do that or not? I want popularity, but of course, keeping the industry standard intact.