“This will be the experience of a lifetime”

National Award-winning actor Arifin Shuvoo entered the world of showbiz with television, making his way to the silver screen with hits like "Dhaka Attack" (2017) and "Shapludu" (2018), among many other memorable hits.

The actor is set to portray the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in his biopic. In a candid chat with The Daily Star, the actor talks about his preparations for the role, his experience and his expectations.

How are you preparing yourself for portraying the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman?

I was cast in this role in February 2019 and since then, I have prepared for this every day. I watched a lot of documentaries and films on our great leader, and viewed his archived video clips. Reading different research-based books and conversing with the writers of such pieces has also helped me understand him a lot.

We were supposed to start shooting, but it was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic. Nevertheless, the long break has given me more time to perfectly understand the character of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

How do you feel about this opportunity?

Being a Bangladeshi, it is a matter of great pride and honour from my side. As an artiste, it is my responsibility to do justice to his legacy, and I will give it my all. Even though at times, there is a lot of anxiety and pressure, I am trying to keep calm. This will be the experience of a lifetime, and I want to enjoy it to the fullest. Shyam Benegal is a perfectionist, and I wish to deliver in accordance with his expectations. The performance I put up is all that matters now, and that's what I have been focusing on.

Tell us a bit about your recent conversation with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

This has been one of the most memorable incidents of my life. She gave me a lot of insight on her father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's character, things I would have only known from someone very close to his heart. This experience has left a mark in my heart for all eternity. She gave me her blessings to succeed in this challenging portrayal.

When do you plan to begin shooting for this project?

We will be travelling to Mumbai, India on January 19 and plan to start from January 25. This role will remain a milestone in my career.