Azmeri Haque Badhon made global headlines when her film Rehana Maryam Noor, the first Bangladeshi feature film to be selected in the Un Certain Regard section, got a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival. Now, Badhon is soaking in the praise coming her way for her performance in Srijit Mukherji’s Hoichoi web series Robindronath Ekhane Kawkhono Khete Aashenni. A candid chat with the Bangladeshi actress....

What kind of feedback are you getting from the people of Bangladesh about REKKA?

The book is extremely popular, so I have got varied feedback from the audience — from those who have read the book and from those who haven’t. Many have loved the series while some haven’t liked everything about it. Largely the response has been very positive.

What has been the favourite compliment that you have got till now?

Srijit has seen my journey, my effort, my hard work... he saw Mushkan Zuberi in me. He thanked me on the last day of shoot. I was waiting for a comment from the author of the book (Mohammad Nazim Uddin)... then he wrote on FB saying that I fit the bill as Mushkan. He told me that he could see the hard work that I had put in and could see that I had done the work with a lot of love and care. It is great that such an exciting, woman-centric thriller was written in Bangladesh.

What were your thoughts when Srijit got in touch with you for the series?

I was surprised to know that a successful film-maker like Srijit saw me as Mushkan. It was in 2020, in the initial days of the pandemic. We were all at home during lockdown. Then I got a message from Srijit. Of course I had done Rehana... by then, in 2019, and knew that it would travel to film fests like Cannes. But at that point of time Srijit did not know about it.

How did you see your character Mushkan Zuberi? What did you think of her?

I simply love Mushkan, her personality, everything. I really like women characters with such strong personality... of course there’s an area of conflict I have with her!

How did you prepare to play the character?

I am an obedient student. I try to understand the character... and I had discussions with my director on how she’ll talk, her personality, body language. Why is she saying something, where is she coming from and what is making her say it. Srijit told me all about it in detail. I am lucky that I got time to prepare. And I followed what he was telling me. I feel if directors are casting me, then I’m sure they are doing it for my honesty, dedication and hard work.

We see Mushkan as an enigmatic, mysterious, successful entrepreneur. She can be warm with a sense of humour, strict, vindictive, manipulative, depending on the person and situations. Since she has a certain condition which is revealed in the end, she could have easily become a dark, negative character. But she also has empathy. What did you think of her various shades?

I was attracted to those shades of Mushkan that come to her at different stages of her life. I feel most of the people in this world have their strengths, frailties and weaknesses... no one is totally positive or negative. Maybe someone is arrogant, conflicted but at times that same person can be soft, sweet, caring. Similarly, that’s the beauty of this character, which is why everyone is falling in love with Mushkan! Despite knowing her condition, people are going gaga over her.

Was it a challenge for you to not make her a negative character?

Srijit strictly maintained it and saw to it that I did not cross the line. He would guide me with dialogue delivery.

How was your shooting experience?

I got to do so many things for the first time. There’s a scene where I am up in flames. Then I had to wear a prosthetic for two days and to do the make-up it took me three hours... and with that on I would sit for six-seven hours and then shoot. It was so cold when we did the shower scene... and to sing a song there, and then to have a phone conversation was quite challenging. The Sikkim shoot was really tough. Oxygen level was going down, people were hyperventilating... their heads were spinning. It was a stressful shoot but we finally achieved it!

How was your experience working with Srijit?

The way Srijit helped me to develop my character was amazing. He knows how to get the best out of an actor. He is extremely fussy with details and he just wants to do his work well. Work is the most important thing for me and so it is for him. Also, I liked Srijit’s perseverance, he saw me as Mushkan and followed it through. I did get a little bit of scolding from him but I’m fine with it since it was for work and for my benefit. In the first three-four days of the shoot there was a slight miscommunication which led to a misunderstanding between us, but Srijit understood the situation and cleared the air and for that he came across to me as a better human being and director.

Are you a great chef like Mushkan?

I am not a great chef like Mushkan but those who have tasted the dishes I have made have really enjoyed and praised it. I make really lovely payesh!