Popularity in acting is much like a tide: some are swept away by it, while others hold their ground. Aisha Khan seems to belong to the second group, believing more in preparing herself than in staying in the spotlight. She regards immersing herself in a character as acting’s greatest discipline, valuing the depth of each role over the number of them.
Though she began as a presenter, Aisha quickly built a distinct identity in acting. Across television dramas, web content and special productions, she has left a restrained yet individual mark, and is now one of the drama world’s dependable names.
Her acting avoids melodrama and needless flourish; her naturalness and girl-next-door ease set her apart for audiences. Now she is making her big-screen debut, taking on the identity of a film heroine. The film is “Shekor” (Roots).
A story of returning to one’s roots
The latest addition to Aisha’s journey is “Shekor,” directed by Prasun Rahman, in which she plays the character Falguni, opposite F S Naeem. A large cast also features, but there is no doubt Aisha Khan is at the center, as it is her first film, her first time on the big screen and her first experience as a film heroine. “Shekor” tells a story of migrants’ crisis of identity, the search for roots and the effort to reconnect with loved ones. In the director’s words, it is an emotional account of the invisible bond between people, land and memory.
“Shekor” released in theaters at home on Friday. It will open in Canada on August 2, with releases planned in the United States, Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand in September. A Spanish version is being prepared for audiences in some South American countries.
“Shekor is a very important work in my career. The film is finally being released, ending a long wait. My hope is that audiences will go to the theaters to watch it,” the actress said. “I believe they will like both the story and the character.”
Every film has its own journey, she added, one that begins in the director’s hands but is completed only when it reaches audiences. “As an artist, I have tried sincerely to tell a story. Now I want to hear from audiences whether that story reaches their hearts,” she said.
A path to maturing
A successful work often makes an artist busier, but Aisha seems to be walking the opposite way; for her, success is not a destination but a duty to become better. She said she had no plans to take on new work for now after “Shekor.” “I am still learning, making mistakes, and rebuilding myself from those mistakes. When I return to the screen, I want to return as a more mature actress,” she said.
She believes more in preparing for a long road than in coming into the limelight quickly, and sees “Shekor” as an important chapter in that learning journey. For now, she wants to focus on her own preparation rather than a new film.
“I don’t come from a theatrical background, so I’m learning every day. Every character teaches me to think anew. This path of learning is my greatest reward,” she said.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report