Jaya Ahsan is on a roll with her film releases. While Soukarya Ghosal’s Bhootpori hit the theatres in West Bengal, Nurul Alam Atique’s Peyarar Subash released in cinemas in Bangladesh. Jaya chatted with us about looking out for interesting roles and hitting a purple patch.

You have had back-to-back releases of late, starting with Ardhangini, Dawshom Awbotaar, Kadak Singh and now Bhootpori. How does it feel?

Jaya Ahsan: It didn’t strike me, but now I have run out of releases! (Laughs) I find joy in working hard. I always look for interesting characters to play, like Bonolota, my character in Bhootpori, who is a ghost, which I thought was very unique.

But Bonolota is a very unusual ghost, not the kind we are used to seeing in films. How did you prepare for it?

Jaya Ahsan: Soukarya (Ghosal) helped me a lot with that. He had a very clear vision about what he wanted and his writing is strong. He has a different way of looking at characters and he knows how to guide actors.

As an actor, do you follow a process?

Jaya Ahsan: Every artiste has his or her process. I have my own process for each film. I have the habit of keeping the script next to my pillow when I go to sleep. I stay with the script. I treat it like a living thing. It is like a ritual.

Did you have any eerie experience while shooting for Bhootpori? One of the locations you shot the film at is popular as a haunted place.

Jaya Ahsan: There was some kind of energy for sure. It’s an old house, a place where many people have lived for years, and after death one would naturally not want to leave it and go away.

Like if I die, my spirit will wander in the shooting floors, looking around at film shoots, thinking what if I were alive and this character was given to me…. I would never be able to leave the shooting place.

Beside, the place where we shot Bhoopori was full of snakes and I am scared of them. It was quite dangerous.

Do you believe in ghosts?

Jaya Ahsan: I do. But I don’t think they are dangerous. I want to communicate with them someday. I want to go through that experience.

Which are your favourite horror films?

Jaya Ahsan: I love The Exorcist. This is the first horror film that I watched with my cousins. Another very favourite film is Anik Dutta’s Bhooter Bhobishyot. This is the best satirical horror film that I have watched. I also love Aparna Sen’s Goynar Baksho.

Your other film Peyarar Subash had a theatrical release in Bangladesh around the same time as Bhootpori...

Jaya Ahsan: Yes. Peyarar Subash has a very strong subject. It is about marital rape. I was busy promoting the films in both countries. It is a delight to have two of your films releasing on the same day. It is nothing less than a blessing.