Nusraat Faria Mazhar has been in the buzz ever since the Jaaz Multimedia-Eskay Movies joint venture film “Aashiqui” was in the works, and after a few songs were released from the film set to bow in cinemas this Eid (September 25), that buzz has only gotten louder. But now, the gorgeous young woman is stepping into territories only one Bangladeshi actress from post-Independence Bangladesh has done: playing a central role in a Bollywood movie. 

Bishnu Dutta's thriller “Gawah”, also starring Emraan Hashmi, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Paayel Sarkar, has finalised Nusraat in a crucial role. The last time a Dhaka girl took to the camera in a Bollywood feature was nearly three decades back, when Shabana portrayed a lead against Rajesh Khanna in “Shatru” (1986). 

The actress is in full prep for it. “I have had to audition for my Hindi-speaking abilities for the role, and have been practicing my Hindi, and preparing on some other frontiers for the role,” Nusraat told The Daily Star. “I play a modern Mumbai-based girl in the film who falls in love with a detective,” she said, adding she is not at a liberty to reveal too much.  

Nusraat will sign the film after the Durga Puja, and shooting is expected to begin in November. The actress is currently focused on the promotion of “Aashiqui”, directed by Ashok Pati and co-starring Tollywood's Ankush.