Interview: Mohammad Hussain Dipu
In 1988, Abu Suffian Bhuyan Biplob joined the world of theater. He joined Drishtipat Natyasampraday for theater practice. He found interest in the theater art unit through the late dramatist S M Soliman. Abu Suffian Bhuyan Biplob has been dedicated to the team since its inception till now. He followed Ekushey Padak winner, the late dramatist S M Soliman. Abu Suffian Bhuyan Biplob said I got involved in media work with the support of my Guru. I wanted to stay with acting, but I became a producer with the encouragement of Guru. From 1998 to 2005, Abu Suffian Bhuyan Biplob worked as an assistant director with many famous directors in Bangladesh. Such as Rezanur Rahman, Abul hayat, Late Sirajul Islam & Late Saidul Anam Tutul etc. Since 2006, he has been a director for his own company GreenFrame.
It should be noted that Abu Suffian Bhuyan Biplob did his Masters in Film and Media from Stamford University Bangladesh in 2007. In 1998, he completed a 2-month ‘TV Production’ course from World View Bangladesh. In 2016, he completed 2 months Special Course on ‘Digital Television Camera & Lighting Course 2016’ for Film Making from Mass Communications Institute Bangladesh (NIMCO). In 2017, he completed a Special ‘Advanced Course of Research Methodology Program Outlines’ course for 3 months from the University of Dhaka. In 2019, he completed 2 months of filmmaking from Bangladesh Silpalakala Academy. He also participated in many seminars, courses, and discussion meetings at different places in India and Bangladesh. He has been working as a regular active member of the Director’s Guild – Television Drama Director’s Organization.
Filmmaker Abu Suffian Bhuyan Biplob is known as Abu Suffian Biplob in Media industry. He also Direction a documentary for Save the Children’s ‘Bangladesh Pneumonia Project’ to raise awareness and prevention. He has revolutionized his professional life with his own production house, GreenFrame. He has worked with various development organizations under his company’s banner for 18 years. His notable clients include multiple ministries of the Government of Bangladesh, the United Nations Development Program in Bangladesh (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund in Bangladesh (UNFPA), Plan International Bangladesh, BRAC, Terre des Hommes Foundation (TDH), Action Aid Bangladesh, Save the Children Bangladesh, Helen Killer International, World Vision Bangladesh, Room to Read Bangladesh, GrameenPhone ltd, Robi Axiata Limited, Handicap International and Aspire to Innovation (a2i) etc. He makes documentaries or docudramas and several single and serial dramas he produced.
He also produced the United Nations Development Program in Bangladesh’s (UNDP) awareness docudrama which have been screened at the grassroots level of the country. For Aspire to Innovation (A2i) and the United Nations Development Program in Bangladesh (UNDP), he created about 800 online class-based videos for primary, secondary, and higher secondary and madrasa boards to keep the online education system running for Bangladesh amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Bangladesh Election Commission’s vote and National ID card with National Cricketers. Also He produced two awareness videos to protect Sundarbans.
To spread the spirit of the liberation war from generation to generation under the patronage of Grameenphone, Mr. Abu Suffian started creating a digital library about freedom fighters. He said that listening to the memories of the 1971s from the mouths of freedom fighters from different parts of the country started vigorously but stopped after the production of videos of about 2,200 people.
‘I have seen in different townships the struggle of people fighting for their livelihood to protect their lives and existence’, said Mr. Abu Suffian, I am fascinated by the change in people’s behavior and language usage from region to region. I like to see people, and I want to be with people. People motivate me to work. My works are for the development of the people.
I made 10 documentaries for Plan International Bangladesh with local artists of the Chakma community. These include women’s empowerment in neglected hill towns, prevention of child marriage, post-natal care, dowry, health, family planning, adolescent services, he added.
Mr. Biplob said that the lifestyle of the residents of Ukhia and Teknaf, a neglected town on the border of Cox’s Bazar district. He said, after the Rohingyas took shelter in these two upazilas, the lifestyle of the residents has changed, the Rohingyas have shared their livelihood, and the roughness has increased. They have to face new reality every day. I have done documentation work on this changed situation. I also do some work with the Rohingyas. Since the Rohingyas took refuge in this country, I have been involved in various development activities for them. I make videos on humane living and awareness of Rohingya’s hygiene, family planning, trafficking, women abuse, pregnancy services, education, etc.
Recently, for the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), he produced 5 dramas focused on raising awareness of workforce nutrition among garment industry workers. Renowned actors Fazllur Rahman Babu, Anisur Rahman Milon, Deepa Khandkar, Tanya Ahmed, Pran Roy, etc., were acted. In addition, for Improved Nutrition, Resilience, and Gender Equity (SAPLING) and Bandarban Agriculture and Nutrition Initiative (BANI) of Helen Keller International Bangladesh, he directed three 6-episodes serial dramas in Bengali and indigenous language for Bengali, Marma and Mro communities living in Bandarban. He created 6 packages of dramas, 9 cooking shows, and 9 talk shows on awareness, where performing artists were from Bengali, Marma, and Mro communities living in the Bandarban area.
Mr. Abu Suffian Bhuyan Biplob received many international and national awards and honors for his work like ‘Most Promising Documentary, Drama & Ad Maker of the Year (Bangladesh) 2022’ in the International ICONS Award 2022 officially presented by WBR Corporation of India, ‘Best Director (Film & Drama) Bangladesh’ from ‘India-Bangladesh Solidarity Reconciliation Award-2022’, ‘Best Director’ Award 2022 at the Begum Rokeya Award organized by the Bangladesh Media Kalyan Council (BMKC), ‘Best Director’ (Bangladesh) for producing the docu-film ‘Caravan 71’ at the Sixth-Indo Bangla International Online Film Festival 2022, South Asian Business Excellence Awards 2022 as ‘Best Presenter (Film & Media)’. In the 7th-Indo Bangla International Film Festival 2023 for the documentary film ‘The Rohingya Men in the Camp’ he was awarded ‘Best Director (Bangladesh)’.
In ‘World Fair & Fest New York 2023,’ organized by the Association of the World Fair and Fest USA Inc. he awarded and honors as a ‘Best Producer Film & Media 2023’. The event was organized on August 6 at Gulshan Terrace, Woodside, New York, to build a network among professionals promoting, showcasing, and introducing multiple services to other countries. He expressed the feeling of receiving the award and said, I have been engaged in this work for a long time. Now, I am getting job recognition. This recognition will speed up my activity along the way. My workflow will continue.
Suffian’s was born in Pakundia of Kishoreganj. But he grew up in Dhaka city. He has left his family and responsibility to his wife, Ruma Akhtar. Both agreed on raising their children and that the boys should be able to raise themselves in their way. May they become human beings with honesty.
Finally, we are at the forefront of technological change. When asked how media will go in the future, he said with time, we had moved from the age of cassettes to the age of electronic devices. From that analog panel now, we are working on a digital board. I’m optimistic that the pace of technology won’t leave us behind with the enthusiasm among our creators. At the same time, there are some fears. The way we enter within four inches of the palm of our hand, we want to see everything on the mobile phone, if the media will be just for mobile.
