‘Before 14th August, I was a third-choice actress’
Actor Tasnuva Tisha is getting numerous offers from directors. However, she has also been criticized for doing sensual scenes in the web series
Though Tasnuva Tisha has been active in television drama for six years, it is the web series "August 14" that has brought her to limelight. The six-episode crime thriller directed by Shihab Shaheen was released during Eid-Ul-Fitr on Binge, the OTT platform for entertainment. Then being pirated, it has also been uploaded on YouTube. The viewers of both the platforms seem to like it.
Tisha played the lead role in the series, which has been much appreciated by all. It has changed her position in the entertainment world. Now she is getting numerous offers for acting in different dramas. She is enjoying it a lot. However, she has also been subject to controversy for portraying bold scenes in the series.
The Business Standard talked to her over all these issues recently.
First of all, Tisha talked about how she got involved in the role. "The role was very challenging for me. When Shihab Shaheen bhai called me over phone and offered me the role, I thought why me. Then when I talked to him over the proposal, my first question to him was why he had chosen me," recalled Tisha.
However, when asked about the criticism of doing some explicit scenes in "August 14," Tisha said she just played the role as per her director's instruction. "I think the director tried to show the things in the web series what he thought were necessary for the role. Besides, at the beginning it is said that the content is for mature audience. So one should watch the web series keeping that in mind," she explained.
"He said first he thought of actress Prasun Azad for the role. But she told him that she was physically unfit for doing the role. So as a second option, he chose me. He thought I was perfect for the role. Besides, Shihab bhai's wife Actress Jakia Bari Momo suggested he take me. My face, height and getup go with the character," she added.
How did Tisha go deep into the role of a teenager? Tisha said she read the script, then studied news in print media and watched TV reports on the incident. Besides, she also read the charge sheet of the case and the verdict. She followed the director's guideline. All these things played a role in the making of Oishee in Tisha.
She said, "I remained immersed in the character of Oishee during the entire period of the shooting. It took 15 days at a stretch to complete the shooting and for not a single moment, I thought of anything but the character. Even after coming home, I felt that I was absorbed in the character. While doing the role, I thought that it would be applauded. But I did not expect such huge response."
"The web series has completely changed my world. Earlier, directors used to call me if they did not get the schedule with two to three renowned actresses. Now they first contact me. Before the release of '14th August' I was just an average actor to the directors. But now I am their first choice," she said.
With a tinge of resentment, Tisha said earlier she used to wait for big projects in the industry, especially for something like "Close up Kache Asar Golpo." She used to keep space in her schedule so that she could say yes if such offers came her way. But it never happened. "I was never in the list of the directors for those big projects," she added.
But things have changed now. Many directors are now waiting for her with good scripts.
During this lockdown, Tisha has worked on a number of projects. While doing this, she prioritised the quality of the scripts. Now she can expect the good scripts after a new turn in her career, she feels.
