Five-time National Award winning Bangladeshi actress, Jaya Ahsan, a very known face in Kolkata's Bengali film industry and a one-film old in Bollywood, is set for her next release, Soukarya Ghoshal's Bhootpori, where she plays a departed soul. IBNS correspondent Souvik Ghosh interacts with Jaya on the film and more...

Q. How was your experience in Tehran, Iran where your film Fereshta was screened at Fajr Film Festival?

A. The experience was great. People, who are working in films, always have had a special place for Iranian works. My film, which was selected in the main category, was screened along with some giant films. The instant reaction from the audience after the screening was satisfying.

Q. 2023 has been a very busy year for you. All your films performed well. How do you dissociate yourself from the reverberation of your success and get back to work?

A. Everyone has a unique way. My mantra is spending time with family and myself. I revive in that way. I unlearn a lot in that phase and relearn. It's the process, which I have learnt over the years by default. Life doesn't give that respite actually.

Q. Bhootpori trailer shows horror heading to a thriller coupled with occasional comic scenes. How difficult was it to maintain the balance between gravity and humour while acting?

A. The director made it easy for me. I just followed his roadmap. The script was so well made that checks and balances already existed. So I didn't stumble much on that front. But the challenge was to make the character believable. I have tried in my own way. By now, the checks and balances of any character run inherently inside the mind.

Q. How was exploring the working relationship with a co-actor (Bishantak Mukherjee, child actor) who is way younger than you?

A. He is the hero of the film (smiles). He is a very smart boy. We used to chat over science. I loved working with him because kids of the present generation are way more mature in any possible way. He is very intelligent and has also acted brilliantly in the film. It was fun.

Q. What is your idea about life after death?

A. I am neither aware of where I was before birth nor where I will head to after death. But there is something after death, I presume. Life, which I would like to call a transition period, is incredible. Though science, religion have their own respective theories, we are actually not aware of what's in store after death. But I suppose whatever is in store is something positive.

Q. You have five National Awards under your belt. How do National Awards influence your choice of films?

A. It has happened over the years, not specifically due to National Awards. It's a regular process. I have always opted for works which gave me fun without thinking much about awards. Awards are a bonus for me. The audience's love is equally valuable.

Q. You have another release (Peyarar Subash) on February 9 back home in Bangladesh. How are you managing things?

A. I am travelling back and forth for the promotions. I will be attending the Bhootpori premiere in Kolkata. It's hectic but gives me happiness too.

(Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)