Let’s go behind the lens and explore the journey of Adil Hussain from the small town of Assam to International cinema and big screen.
Published on :
Muhammad Khandkar Adil Hussain, a famous actor from Goalpara, Assam, is currently well-known both nationally and internationally in films. Adil has always had a strong love for theater and acting, and his observations on the film industry continue to receive high appreciation. He has held several workshops and classes on theater and never fails to inspire the masses of young artists with big dreams.
Originally from a small town in Assam, Adil had big dreams to chase. He has always had an intellectual mind with an artistic perspective. It was not easy for him to cross barriers and set foot in such a large industry, but staying true to his art and respecting his own authenticity helped him reach heights. Throughout his career, he has acted on several projects and left a profound impact on his audience.
Early life of Adil Hussain
Coming from a house of scholars where art, literature, and music were worshiped, it was clear for Adil to align his interests over time. Adil Hussain talks highly of his father, who was a devotee of classical music and an avid reader. He was highly influenced by the intellectually and culturally rich environment surrounding his childhood, and it gradually developed his keen interest in theater and cinema.
Adil Hussain took part in plays during his school years in Goalpara and decided to pursue acting at the age of twelve. He left home at the age of eighteen to study philosophy at B. Borooah College, Guwahati, and later got enrolled in the National School of Drama in Delhi to study acting.
But before moving to Delhi, he had some conflicts with his father because, like any other Indian dad, his father was skeptical about him establishing a good place in the theater world. Moreover, art and drama were never regarded as legitimate professions in many educated households back then.
His journey to cinema
A twelve-year-old dreamer who was eager to follow his aspirations was implanted with a vision during school hours. He traveled high paths paved with hurdles and never turned back.
Adil Hussain participated in one-act plays throughout his early undergraduate years, which inspired him even more to apply to the National School of Drama. He was given a lot of opportunities there, and his teacher gave him important tasks, but he had to deal with a language barrier. His building career was challenging because he was from a small town of Goalpara with an Assamese background where Hindi and English were not widely spoken, but he worked very hard at it. Adil then received a scholarship to join Drama Studio London.
Beginning of work
Adil Hussain completed his studies and came back to Assam to join ‘Hengul Theatre’, where he worked for three years. He then moved to Delhi to work on several independent projects. Adil was first recognized in the Bollywood film industry for the movie Ishqiya. but before that, he worked for a small role in Kaminey. His actual first big project was Agent Vinod, starring Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan.
In the same year, 2012, Adil Hussain was cast in Mira Nair’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist and the Oscar-winning movie Life of Pi. That was the breakthrough in his career. He received the National Film Awards (special jury) in 2017 for Hotel Salvation and the Assamese movie Maj Rati Keteki.
Not only in Bollywood but Adil has worked in several foreign language films throughout his career. He starred in the Bengali movie Iti Shrikanta as a debutant next to Soha Ali Khan.
But with his most popular role as Satish Godbole, a nonchalant husband in Gauri Shinde’s movie English Vinglish, Adil won hearts of many.
The Othello
He was given the opportunity to play the lead in Othello: A Play in Black and White by William Shakespeare while he was a student at the National School of Drama. Adil faced a problem because of his weak command of the English language and his playing in a Shakespeare play. He took a week and studied it carefully to understand its main points. It’s intriguing to learn that Adil used to practice reciting the lines while translating the English words into his Golporiya dialect.
Adil played the part brilliantly during the 1999 Edinburgh Film Festival. He made several significant adjustments to the script himself throughout the performance, making it one of the most memorable moments of his life. To everyone’s surprise, Adil ended up hugging Kristen Jain, who played Desdemona, throughout the play instead of killing her. Adil Hussain married his Desdemona after eight years.
Personal Insights
Even after getting recognition all over the world for his variety of roles, Adil finds comfort in his theater acts and independent projects. Adil always prioritized building relationships with his fans over pursuing film fame. His idea is to convey the emotions of a character, to perform it based on the actor’s own truth but not on the writer’s.
Adil Hussain has managed to inspire several budding artists and young minds to follow their passion and embrace their individuality all through his career.
Rimjim is a passionate researcher, writer, and storyteller. Being an Assamese, she feels the pride and enthusiasm for writing blogs,stories and articles promoting Assam, Assamese culture, lifestyle, and food. Email: rimjim@diversityassam.com
