DL: What is your feelings ahead of the release of your debut film?

Alisha: Though the answer should be pretty simple such as ‘over excited’ and ‘overwhelmed’. But it’s not with me, I have mixed feelings. Of course, I am overwhelmed, I am so… so… happy. At the same time, the feelings of emptiness also with me, because of the absence of Chashi sir. Because of him, I have entered into the film world, he discovered me. I wanted his appreciation for my work. From that perspective, there is an emptiness. At the same time, I sure he is up there; I wish I could make him proud. That pressure… that duty and responsibility I feel right now.

DL: How would ‘Antaranga’ be different from your other previous films?

Emon: Well…it’s a typical Bangla film, but I think Chashi Nazrul Islam is the key fact here. The man who made ‘Ora Egaro Jon, ‘Devdas’, ‘Shuva’, at the same time, the man who made an extreme commercial film like ‘Danga Fasad’, he ultimately knew how to make a film, how to reach a story to the hearts of the audience. Before he died, he wanted to make a complete commercial film, where the literature and commerce will blend together.
I think the film is different than other films, because the film is made by Chashi Nazrul Islam as all his works have always been unique.
Most importantly, this is his final film and any other film will not be produced by him, so it makes a difference.

DL: How did you get involved in the Chashi Nazrul’s film?

Emon: He was a smart and talented director, who worked and maintained a close relationship with many artistes in our film industry. He simultaneously worked with the noted actors like Razzak, Faruk, Bulbul Ahmed and many others. He knew how to maintain a mutually wonderful relationship with everyone.
Oneday, he came to the shooting of my film ‘Padma Patar Jol’ at FDC and told me, “Emon, I am going to make a film, where I want to cast you as a hero. And it was really unexpected to me! Looking forward to work with such a prolific filmmaker like him, which will add a milestone in my career, I immediately agreed to work with him. That’s how, I involved in the film ‘Bhul Jodi Hoy’—the first film with him. While working in that film, we developed a much more close relationship. Then he proposed me to work in his next film, which is today’s ‘Antaranga.

DL: How was Alisha’s performance as a newbie opposite you?

Emon: While working in the first film, Chashi Nazrul Islam shared a few names keeping in mind to make someone the heroine of his next film ‘Antaranga’. At one point, he mentioned the name of Alisha. I knew about the character of the heroine, which required to be a smart and talented girl. Seeing Alisha Pradhan working in her first film, who had experience of working as an actress in the tele-dramas and tele-films and as a model in TVCs and at the same time, she has much dedication and tendency of doing good works, I didn’t feel that she is a newcomer. Her performance is tremendously fantastic in ‘Antaranga’.

DL: You played a double role in the film. Please tell us about it.

Alisha: Chashi Nazrul, predominantly, has been making films about war, culture and literature, etc. This is a commercial movie, I was already excited as I always wanted to be a commercial actress. There’s a character that resembles so much with the Bangladeshi culture, The typical Bangladeshi girl that they are to be so simple, actually have no voice. There are very, very dependent on their surroundings—on their family—on their parents, siblings and others. I am playing the character, though it’s not me myself as a person, it was tough for me to get into the character named Tamanna.
The other character’s name, totally opposite in nature, is Banya. I enjoyed the character so much. Not because as it has such similarity with me, also because I would want my Bangladeshi girls--the young Bangaldeshi generation to be a little more independent, to be a more rebellious, to be a more dependent on their own. She is very bold and proactive. She is very protective of herself and about her image. She can ride a public bus at night, even at 1am. She knows no one can harm her; rather she is dangerous to others. There’s nothing slovenly about it that’s her true nature.

DL:  Tell us how did you get involved in this film.

Alisha: I had to struggle a lot to be visible in the film industry. So many people had approached, then rejected. I was rejected. In the middle of 2012—when I was about to finish my A Level—I decided I will be leaving for London doing my graduation. All of a sudden, Chashi sir called me and asked me, “Alisha I am Chashi Nazrul Islam and will you act in my film?”—it was as simple as that. And when I learned that Emon is the hero—we have already worked together for a TVC that gave me such a level of conformity. At least I don’t have to deal with a stranger. This is how I started working in his first film ‘Bhul Jodi Hoy’ and eventually for ‘Antaranga’.

DL: Say something to the audience.

Alisha: My dear audience, all I can say, I am a small part of this film right now. I feel good to be part of it. What I feel bad that this is Chashi Nazrul sir’s last film. This is what that hurts me.
He has portrait Liberation War of Bangladesh, the true history of Bangladesh through his films, in his canvas. Unfortunately, this is his last film; ‘Antaranga’ is his last history, his last creation!
For me if possible; if not, there is Chashi sir, he has a presence for all of you and he will be watching form the above. Come, watch ‘Antaranga’ from 6 November in all the cinema halls near you with me and Emon.

Emon: Accepting the reality he is no more, I want to believe he will live forever through his films. Please come to hall on 6 November at your nearest cinema halls to pay tribute to Chashi Nazrul Islam. l