It was a challenge to play versatile lead in debut: Sadia Mahi

Sadia Afreen Mahi, a model-turned-actress, hit the headlines for several reasons with the release of her debut film ‘Poddapuran’ which is currently running in theatres for the second straight week.

Sadia played three roles in the movie with different windows at the same time. She was seen as a pregnant woman, a drug dealer, and a person of the third gender in the film based on the life of a group of people living along the river Padma.

Talking to The Business Post on Saturday, Sadia shared that it was not so easy for her and playing the role of a third gender person was even more challenging. She also had to shave off her hair to portray the character ‘Moyna’.

In ‘Poddapuran’, the character ‘Moyna’ was separated from her guardians at a very young age. Leaving home, she changed her name to ‘Golapi’. In the meantime, she became pregnant and had to come back to his childhood home by the river Padma. She becomes so attached to the river that she treats the Padma as her mother and even talks to the river.

Sadia hit headlines one more time with the birth of her first child in real life. She got the taste of motherhood last month and named her girl ‘Padma’. The actress even took her newborn to the screening of ‘Poddapuran’ at Star Cineplex on October 10.

Coincidentally, Sadia also played the role of a pregnant woman in ‘Poddapuran’. “Many memories before and after the birth of Padma are mixed with this film. There were also many coincidences between the film and my baby. To keep those memories alive, I have named my daughter ‘Padma’. Though her father named her Zayana,” said Sadia.

‘Poddapuran’ has garnered a good response from the audience after it was released theatrically on October 6. The number of cinema halls will be increasing in the upcoming days, informed the actress.

Sadia said, “I have been experiencing a positive response for my role in the film. I am very grateful to the audience.”

Before stepping onto the silver screen, Sadia had worked with director Rashid Palash in his short film ‘Kobor’. Afterwards, Palash was preparing two films together - ‘Pritilata’ and ‘Poddapuran’. The director auditioned many artists for ‘Poddapuran’ and finally, he approached Sadia for the role of ‘Moyna’.

“I have worked with Rashid Polash before. He had shared the story of ‘Poddapuran’ back in 2017. He was also searching for a new face for this role. He had trust in me and said that I can do it. So, I gave it a shot,” said Sadia on how their collaboration made it to her debut with ‘Poddapuran’.

The film depicts the lives and livelihoods of people living on the bank of the river Padma. It tells the story of how their livelihood changes as the river’s water level rise and fall.

About the challenges she faced in her first film, Sadia said, “Yes, it was difficult for me to be a skinhead. But it was the demand of the character. So, I had to do it. I have also played the role of a ‘Shikhondi’ woman. That was challenging to adapt to their behaviour, outfit and accent. I have given my best to portray perfectly all the three characters.”

“I have been working as a professional model since 2014. Later I stepped into acting with the short film ‘Kobor’. I worked in some TVCs as well. But acting on the big screen is a very different experience. Playing such a versatile character in my first film was quite challenging for me,” she added.

The debutant actress, also a new mother, thinks she needs a break for at least a couple of months. “Maybe I will get back to work after my daughter Padma gets a little bit older,” said Sadia.Following the release of her first film, a number of directors approached her for several new projects, she said.