Tisha on portraying Bangamata, walking the Busan red carpet
"People will discover a new Fazilatunnesa Mujib after watching 'Mujib: The Making of a Nation'," said National Film Award-winning actress Nusrat Imrose Tisha, who essayed the role of Bangamata in the film.
The Shyam Benegal directorial biopic featured Arifin Shuvoo as the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, alongside Tisha, who had an essential role in the narrative of the project.
The film was released across the nation on October 13, in 154 halls, gracing a grand premiere attended by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina alongside the crew of the film from both sides of the border.
Tisha, at that time was attending Busan Film Festival, in Korea for her film "Something Like an Autobiography", which she both produced and acted in, alongside her real-life husband, acclaimed director Mostofa Sarwar Farooki. Farooki also acted and directed the project.
"I actually missed the opportunity of watching the film with prime minister and the entire team. However, I will soon watch the film and after getting theatrical experience, I can express my personal thoughts on the film," added the actress who has been receiving praises from audience after the release of the project.
Tisha also shared that the excitement that is surrounding social media is amazing for her. Although she does not use social media personally, she keeps up with time through her official page. "I really feel honoured that the character was well-received by people," she said. "A film is made for the audience and when express their fondness, all of the challenges we have endured and hard work we have put into feels worthwhile."
Bringing to life such a role that had limited reference and almost no visual reference was a challenge in itself. "A very few aspects of Bangamata's personality is known to us," she asserted, "Portraying the role was not easy for me, as there is not enough reference on Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib."
Due to the lack of visual reference or archive, Tisha initially found it hard to create the image of the role. However, she mentioned that she read whatever reference she could grab, and it was PM who helped her the most in infusing the role. "We had the opportunity to meet and talk to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana for three hours before we began the shooting of the film," shared Tisha. "Within that time, the amount of information she shared about her mother was of great help for me to bring the character to life on-screen."
Tisha cited that the narrative of "Mujib" has been shown from Bangamata's perspective. After being a part of the project, the actress realised that this film will remain as a visual testament for the next generation, to know about the actual contributions of Bangamata. "There are a lot of factors that we didn't know about her role in politics, in forming the nation and maintaining her family, and making important decisions for the party as well. However, she has always been underappreciated. These words came from both PM and her sister."
Tisha felt a great sense of responsibility with this role, and shared that she was personally inspired a lot from Bangamata's character.
This is the second time that the actress is gracing the Busan Film Festival. "I attended the festival for the first time with the team of the film 'Television'. The experience has always been great," shared Tisha. "What really amazed me is that Korean people tried to get a better understand of the film ('Autobiography') from the subtitles, and they have really appreciated us."
"When we walk through the red carpet, we get the equal respect as the Korean celebrities, this is also something I really felt amazing about."
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