The Enchantress Next Door

Thank you so much for your time! Do you have any New Year's Resolutions for 2018?

I usually never have resolutions for the New Year. I just want to live well, work well and spread as much love and happiness as I can. However, I would like to answer phone calls more consistently, as many have complained that I never pick up! (Laughs)

I would like to wish you hearty congratulations on the success of both Doob and Haldaa. Which one of the two films is dearer to you?

Thank you so much! To be honest, I really cannot choose between the two films as I worked incredibly hard for them. For Doob, I had to lose about 8 kilograms in a month in order to fit the role of a college girl and trust me it was grueling, to say the least! Moreover, I had to fit into the character of an introvert and that also took a mental toll on me. With Haldaa, we had to work on developing a Chittagonian accent to add authenticity to the characters we were playing and that wasn't easy either. I am overwhelmed by the love and appreciation I received for both of the films and choosing between them would be akin to picking a favorite among my own children!

Are you working on any new movies and television dramas in 2018?

I will be working on the upcoming 'Saturday Afternoon', which is being directed by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki. I am starring alongside Parambrata Chatterjee and am very excited for the project. When it comes to television dramas, I have slowly withdrawn myself from doing regular serials. You'll find me in special dramas on Eid and other occasions, but I have definitely cut back on the television side over the past two to three years.

Why so? Is it because you want to concentrate more on films now?

It's just that I no longer find most of the stories or scripts appealing. You see, acting is not only my profession; it's something that I love doing. I do not want to confine myself to only one type of role or character, I want to explore and better myself every time I am on screen. I simply did not find the opportunity to express myself as much there. Bijli was probably one of the last truly regular serials that I did. As I probably said before, the most important elements for me are the script and the story. If those are up to my liking, I will do it irrespective of being on the smaller screen or the big screen.

Even though you're wildly successful as an actor, you have also seen your fair share of disappointments. What impact does the success, or the lack of it in a project, have on you as an actor?

I'll say that I rarely ever care about a project being a 'hit' or a 'flop' when I undertake it. I do it out of love. Of course, it is a bonus for me when it is received well, but the important part for me is that I have to really be invested in it.

Do you ever plan to try becoming a director? We would love to see Tisha direct a film!

At one point, I did think of directing but after I got married to Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, that ambition is gone! (Laughs) When I see him work, I realize how difficult it actually is being a director and thus I convinced myself that I don't need to try my hand at it! I am grateful to the Almighty that he gave me the opportunity to act, and will continue doing so as long as He allows me to. Also, my first priority will be family and then the media; even though the media is also like family to me.

Do you have any message for your fans?

I would just like to extend my gratitude for supporting me all these years. It is because of them that I am what I am today and that you are interviewing me. I would earnestly want all my fans to have love in their hearts not just for me, but everyone around them and spread it as much as they can. All this world lacks is a bit of compassion and kindness, and our love alone can rectify it!