While a student of journalism of University of Dhaka, Ferdaus was involved with the film society movement but he had no idea that he would become a film star. In those days, he used to be a ramp-model for international super model turned designer Bibi Russell. Seeing his impressive credentials, director Anjan Sarkar cast Ferdaus in the lead role of his movie Prithibi Amarey Chay Na (1996). After the death of Salman Shah, Ferdaus completed a half done movie titled Buker Bhitorey Agun, which Salman could not complete. Seeing the rush print of Buker Bhitorey Agun, Indian director Basu Chatterjee picked Ferdaus to play the protagonist for a joint venture titled Hothat Brishti. Indian actress Priyanka Trivedi was paired up with him. The movie became a blockbuster in Bangladesh and Bangla-speaking regions in India.

"For that movie I received two major awards in both countries: National Award for Films in Bangladesh (1998) and Anandalok Award in Kolkata," continues Ferdaus, "My feelings at the film's success can't be expressed in words. My portrait beside those of Indian superstars including Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan was really amazing."

Ferdaus became so popular in Kolkata that at the initial stage of his career he did more movies in the Tollywood film industry compared to Dhaliwood. He even performed the main role in a Hindi movie titled Mitti (2001), directed by Iqbal Durani. Sharbani Mukherji, who made her debut in the blockbuster movie Border, played the female lead.

On his experience of acting in a Bollywood movie, Ferdaus said, "Though Mitti was an average movie, I had a wonderful experience working in a professional film industry. It takes much time to complete a movie in Bollywood, which might have had an adverse impact on my career in Dhaliwwod and Tollywood, where I'm reigning."

Ferdaus has continued to perform in four or five movies in Kolkata and 10 to 12 movies in Dhaka. According to him, "So far, I've played the lead in over 30 movies in Kolkata, most of which have been hits. Judging my popularity, the city dwellers often invite me to inaugurate their major festivals like Durga Puja, Kali Puja and others. Lately, because of my family responsibilities, I can't put in much time in India. That's why I'm doing more movies in Dhaka."

After working in three movie industries, Ferdaus evaluates the Dhaliwood movie industry as 'technically backward'. To quote him, "We have a few talented actors, directors and technical hands. But, the major problems we face here are low budgets combined with the lack of technical equipment such as camera and editing panels.

"None of the directors do their spade work before making movies in Dhaka. We are still using the same techniques of the 1970s for cinematography. The allocation for make-up artistes is low. Even the costume designers are few and far between, which impedes the quality of the films. And the actors should be physically fit and aware of recent trends in fashion."

Ferdaus is planning to develop a troupe, including movie stars, singers and others for live stage performances. He said, "I have performed in several stage shows with leading Indian actors like Mithun Chakraborty, Karishma Kapoor, Rituparna Sengupta and others. Seeing the warm response of the Bangladeshi expatriates at the shows in Dubai, London and New York, I'm planning to develop a professional troupe."

In future Ferdaus hopes to become a film director. With this goal in mind, he plans to study filmmaking in New York.