Everything I have achieved is due to my own merit: Mithila

Popular actress Rafiath Rashid Mithila has been garnering immense praise for her powerful presence in movies. Mithila has completed shooting for three movies back to back and there seems to be no stopping for the actress as she is going to shoot soon for her third Kolkata project.

In a candid conversation with The Daily Star, the versatile artiste opens up about passion for movies, tele-fictions, and music.

"I will be focusing most of my attention in movies right now. I might do tele-fictions on special occasions but for now, doing movies is my top priority and I want to focus on that," she says.

Mithila shared details about her completed projects which include two Tollywood movies and one Bangladesh movie.

"I have completed the shooting and dubbing of "Maya", directed by Indian filmmaker Raajorshee De. This is my Tollywood debut and I am truly happy to be part of this film," added Mithila.

"Shooting for Anonno Mamun's "Omanush" has also been completed in Bangladesh and I have also wrapped up the shooting for Arunava Khasnobis directorial anthology film "Nitishastro"," added the actress.

Mithila also revealed when "Maya" might hit theatres.

Currently, 50 percent of audiences are able to enter cinema halls in Kolkata.

"Maya" will hopefully be released in theatres next year. We are planning on releasing the movie when 100 percent of the audiences will be able to enter into cinema halls," mentions Mithila.

The "Batch 27" actress also revealed about her upcoming projects, including her character in her anthology movie "Nitishastro",

"In "Nitishastro", I play the role of a doctor named Dr Geeta Basu, in one of the episodes called 'Dhee'. The shooting of the movie took place in Kolkata. Next up I will be working in noted Indian-Bengali filmmaker Riingo Banerjee's "A River in Heaven," added the actress.

"In terms of stories and talented directors, we are not lagging behind Kolkata at all.  We are producing a lot of good story-based movies. Unfortunately, a lot of cinema halls are being shut down and we are losing halls at a greater level.

In terms of filmmaking, Kolkata has an upper hand due to their development in technology which we are lacking greatly in Bangladesh. We need to develop further in terms of pre-production and we need good art-directors as well," she adds.

Srijit Mukherji and Mithila tied the knot in 2019. Upon asking why she hasn't featured in any of his movies yet, Mithila gives an honest answer.

"Well, it is up to the director to decide whom he wants to cast in his movies. I can't really say much about it. I am glad that people are seeing more of my work from different directors, instead of my husband. Everything I have achieved is due to my own merit," she says.

"Maya has to be one of the most challenging characters that I have played on-screen. The movie is an adaptation of William Shakespeare's popular tragedy "Macbeth". I will be seen in three different age dimensions- one as an adolescent girl aged 17-18, one as a woman in her early 30s, and another as a woman in her early 50s.

I had to take up extensive get-ups and makeup for this role. It was challenging as well as a big achievement for me to play a character with multiple unimaginable layers and shades," adds Mithila.

Apart from acting, she is busy with her PhD degree and writing books.  Occasionally, she hosts shows, and she has a passion for singing.