Home ›› 07 Dec 2021 ›› Show Biz
Tahmina Authoi had an interest in showbiz when she was a teenager. During her childhood, she had always kept an eye on films and actively observed the acting prowess of various artists. While studying dramatics in university, she represented Bangladesh as the World Miss University Bangladesh 2017 at an UN-initiated programme in Cambodia in the same year.
She formally stepped into acting when she was picked by late filmmaker Saidul Anam Tutul in 2018 for his Liberation War based film ‘Kalbela’ that won the government grants for the fiscal year 2017-18. The veteran filmmaker, film editor and freedom fighter passed away on December 18, 2018, leaving the film incomplete.
Afterwards, ‘Kalbela’ was completed under the supervision of Tutul’s widow Mobasshwera Khanam.
As the film is finally heading towards theatres on December 10 after delays for the pandemic, actress Authoi opened up about her working experience under the guidance of Tutul and the release.
“It is a matter of joy that the film is releasing, but there is a sad feeling at the same time. The man who owns the project is not amongst us. It cannot be accepted. The man who assembled everything and took care of everything and everyone on the sets, cannot watch his own dream project. It’s saddening,” Authoi told The Business Post on Sunday.
“We the ‘Kalbela’ team have finally been able to complete his project. There are a few days left for the release. We have tried out best to make it successful. Those who have worked behind the screen, also have tried to keep the team stronger. Mobasshwera Khanam has earnestly tried to complete the project with due responsibility,” she added.
“It was total teamwork. I’m feeling really good that finally ‘Kalbela’ is on its way to release. I expect the audience will watch the film. I hope they will not be disappointed. It is absolutely a story of our life and also the reality,” the actress said further.
“The viewers will find many sides in the film which relates to our life. If it becomes successful, the man who owns the project, his soul will get the peace that his last work has been executed in a nice way,” Authoi said recalling her collaboration with Saidul Anam Tutul.
While talking about her character in the war film, the actress said, “Our Liberation War always remains as a spirit and also a subject to research. When it comes to working in a project based on the 1971 Liberation War, the performer must learn thoroughly about the war and hold the very spirit.”
“’Kalbela’ portrays the lifestyle of commoners during the war which was full of uncertainty. A child never could know whether his parent would return home. The character I have played in the film is named Sanjida who is a conventional Bengali girl raised in a simple lifestyle. The film depicts how the girl becomes someone extraordinary when she confronts the situation amid violence and panic during the war. The girl has battled with her family, society and even with herself to sustain. At the end of the day, she wins which is inspiring for the girls of our society.”
Authoi shared with The Business Post that she is fortunate to have worked under the mentorship of Saidul Anam Tutul. “It will remain as a very positive sign in my life that I have worked in his last film. If I can materialise his ideologies in my works in the future, I think his soul will get the peace that his disciple is on the right track.”
The film also features Shishir Ahmed, Jayanta Chattopadhyay, Lutfar Rahman George and Tanvir Masud, among others. Produced under the banner of Tutul’s production house ‘Akar’, the film was ready to release in 2020 and afterwards faced delay due to the coronavirus pandemic.
