Atanu Ghosh's Aaro Ek Prithibi was ideal debut film I was looking for: Bangladeshi actor Tasnia Farin

Q. Were you always interested in being a part of Kolkata's film industry?

A. I never had much interest in films. I never thought that my debut film would be in Kolkata. I was clear about my own requirements like director, story and characterisation in my debut film. Aaro Ek Prithibi met more than my requirements considering it is directed by someone like Atanu Ghosh and the role I was offered. So I never gave it a second thought.

Atanu Ghosh (L) and Tasnia Farin (R) | Image Credit: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Q. What kind of films were you looking for?

A. The most important thing for me has always remained the story of a particular film. I wanted to be a part of a project, be it commercial or art film, which would be memorable both to me and the audience.

Q. Do you follow any Kolkata-based filmmaker's works?

A. I never used to follow in that way. I had watched Atanu Ghosh's Binisutoy among a few Bengali films.

Q. How different is Pratiksha (Tasnia's character in Aaro Ek Prithibi) from you?

A. There are both similarities and dissimilarities between me and Pratiksha. We are similar in a way that both of us are kind of an introvert. Much like me, the character Pratiksha is unable or reluctant to express her thoughts. Both of us have the same kind of spirit, like fighting back and never giving up. However, the background, culture and demography of me and Pratiksha are completely different.

Tasnia Farin | Image Credit: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Q. What was the biggest challenge in playing Pratiksha?

A. My character has more expressions than dialogues. Pratiksha is mostly dormant and submissive in the film. It was challenging for me to portray Pratiksha's submissive nature and "fighting back" spirit simultaneously. Shooting in the harsh weather of London was an added challenge for me.

Q. You have featured in a huge number of telefilms. What was the reason for that?

A. In Bangladesh, the amount of work done in the theatre is more than in the films. So I never thought of anything else other than acting in theatres. Theatre has helped me to reach out to the mass and gain popularity in Bangladesh.

Q. Do you interact with Bangladeshi actors like Jaya Ahsan, Chanchal Chowdhury who are working in Kolkata?

A. No, not that much. We meet for work purposes only.

Q. What commonality did you feel in the film industries of India and Bangladesh?

A. I can't compare the two because this is my first film though I have been part of theatres and series. In Kolkata, I felt works are done based on schedules and fixed times contrary to Bangladesh, where artists do multitasking and work in a more homely atmosphere.

Q. How do you handle social media?

A. I use social media only for work and not for personal matters. I don't like to reveal my personal life on social media.

Tasnia Farin | Image Credit: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Q. You are a private person, right? You have refrained from making comments on your personal life in various interviews.

A. I don't want to talk about my personal life because I prefer to maintain a thin line between my professional and private spheres. I understand public figures are always under people's gaze but I don't want my personal life to be anyone's topic of discussion.

(Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)