Artiste’s remuneration often depends on popularity, views: Akhomo Hasan

Once considered an unconventional and socially undervalued profession, acting has gradually emerged as a viable career in Bangladesh. Today, many artistes have achieved financial independence through acting, purchasing homes and cars and providing their children with quality education. Actor Akhomo Hasan recently spoke about this changing reality, his career and his experience working in the growing OTT industry.

The actor made the remarks while appearing as a guest on “The RJ Kibria Show,” aired on a private television channel’s YouTube platform. During the conversation, he discussed the financial prospects of acting, the changing opportunities for artistes and the differences between working in television, YouTube and OTT productions.

According to the actor, artistes can now earn as much as Tk3 lakh for one or two days of work in a one-hour television drama. He added that remuneration often depends on an artiste’s popularity, as performers whose dramas attract larger audience and generate more views can command higher fees.

Sharing his own experience, Akhomo Hasan said that his career in acting has enabled him to become financially secure. He has been able to acquire a flat, a car and a house through his work. Many of his contemporaries, he noted, have also achieved similar independence and are now able to provide their children with education at reputed institutions.

Reflecting on the social perception of acting in the past, he said, “Earlier, grandmothers used to say that frivolous people do acting. Now that day is gone.”

The actor believes the scope of the profession has expanded significantly over the years. In addition to stage, television and YouTube, artistes now have greater opportunities in OTT productions. Akhomo Hasan has embraced the medium and praised the young producers and creators who are bringing a different approach to filmmaking.

“I have worked on stage, television and YouTube. Now OTT makers are offering. Many young people are leading OTTs, and they are very technically educated,” he said. He also noted that OTT productions generally have larger budgets, allowing creators to pay greater attention to individual scenes and production details.

After 23 years in the profession, Akhomo Hasan said his workload continues to increase. His recent web film “Lifeline” has also opened a new chapter in his career. In the film, he plays a father who loses a kidney while trying to save his child.

The actor believes the project could mark the beginning of his “second innings.” He explained that directors and producers had often approached him for roles similar to those he had played before, leaving little opportunity to explore different characters. He hopes “Lifeline” will change that perception. “My second innings may start with this work,” he said.