OF BEAUTY AND GRACE JAYA AHSAN
Jaya Ahsan is a household name in Bangladeshi, and is probably the most easily recognized face of the Bangladesh media. As vivacious as she is beautiful, her heart-warming smile alone can turn a heart of stone to that of a poet. Fond of singing and dancing as a child, she earned a diploma on Rabindra Sangeet, and studied at Eden University College, Dhaka. She is the eldest daughter to freedom fighter late Md. A.S. Masud. Jaya is one of the biggest stars of Bangladesh and like many other actors; she started off as a model. She had won many prestigious accolades including the National Film Award, Dhaka International Film Award and Calcutta International Film Award. Some of most highly watched films and telefilms include Guerilla, Aborto, Gorom Bhat o Nichok Bhooter Golpo, Bikal Pakhir Gaan, Tobuo Angurlota Nondoke Bhalobashe, Purnodoirgho Prem Kahini etc. Jaya is currently engaged in filming Purnodoirgho Prem Kahini 2, and Star Showbiz recently visited the production set to share a few words with her.
Why are you sometimes lost from news despite being such a well-known celebrity? Is it because you want to take a break from the media?
Not really. Actually the thing is I only work when something good or something really convincing comes my way and I try to do my work in small quantities. Even when I worked with television productions, I did not do a lot of productions. I prefer quality over quantity. I like to satisfy the audience doing a couple of good works instead of doing countless mediocre works. I do not have any intention of increasing the number of films that I am involved in every year.
You have garnered critical acclaims for you work. What are your thoughts about your future in the industry?
I believe in DREAMING BIG! But sometimes I feel claustrophobic about it. To be honest there are some kinds of work we want to do in this industry but sadly it cannot be done because no one is patronizing those kinds of works properly. The movies here are mostly formulaic, which I must say is very sad. You know, it's like a set menu. We created the menu and the audience has no choice but to have this preset fixed food. The audience is our responsibility. Sometimes I myself do some formulaic films just for the sake of bread and butter and I don't think there is anything wrong with that, after all an artist must adhere to industry norms at times in order to survive, even if they don't like it.
What can be done for proper patronization of good films in Bangladesh?
Yes proper patronization is not being done and we can't just blame it on the production houses. There are a lot of things involved in the process. Starting from the economic situation of our country, prediction of how the audience will react to a new movie, the political stability of the country etc. Everyone is involved with it in some way or the other- the cinema hall owners, the production houses and even the audience. Most producers fear producing something different, they don't want to take that risk. But I try to do that. I act in movies where I play unique characters. Many people in the industry told me that since I have garnered critical acclaim, I should stick to the mainstream or else I might lose my fans and fewer people will go to my movies. They suggested me to stick with one kind of productions instead of doing different kinds roles but I am trying to do something out of the box. To be honest, even during my television years I tried to experiment. People should think outside the box and work with talented people. At times, people also told me to not do those mainstream movies because they thought the audience will not like it and only mass people will watch them. My point is I am an artist and I work for everyone. Even the hardworking mass people also want to watch movies and we should try to give them something good to watch. We should think about all kinds of audiences, not only the upper class people. But I don't want to work where there is no artistic appeal. I also want my movies to be well received, just like any other artist.
What kind of offers do you get for doing mainstream movies?
I get a lot of offers and to be honest I have turned a lot of them down because I did not find the stories and scripts appealing. I always want to do something with a meaningful story and a great character. I would do mainstream movies only if I find the stories intriguing.
Please share your experience from Kolkata. What was it like there?
Since the movie 'Aborto', I have gotten some offers to act in movies in Kolkata but I did not do it yet because it is impossible to work somewhere if you do not even live there! And it was not possible for me to go and live in Kolkata. In the near future, I will be working on a movie with Srijit Mukherjee, where I will play a very significant role. Hopefully we will start working in December. I am glad to say that my work was critically acclaimed. My character was unique and the female audience could relate to it a lot.
Why do you think television in Bangladesh is facing such a downfall?
I think the owners of the television channels are becoming too commercial; the number of advertisements is just dreadful. And speaking of musicians, if someone can see him or her playing the guitar and singing on television then logically they won't be going to the concert that is being broadcasted and hence musician are having problems I guess. And television channels are doing things for sponsorships and this is affecting the music sector as well as the television drama series. No matter what, I must admit; I am what I today because of those television series. But it is high time for channel owners to take some action to improve what they are giving the viewers.
Do you think an actor's life is a lot different than others?
Yes! That is because our work is not only methodical, it is also a bit emotional, and our work is not vapid. An actor has to entertain people and survive at the same time and hence I think an actor's life is a bit different. Acting is madness. It's not like any other work. There are successful writers, painters, singers, athletes, etc. And they all follow a certain discipline, unlike actors. Actors are a little undisciplined in that case.
What will you do if one day you find yourself without any work and people stop recognizing you?
It would make me feel great because I do not want people to give me a second look. Stardom never attracted me. I see acting as a passion and I believe that an actor should be versatile. I do not believe in fame.
Catch the uncut version of Showbiz's Cover Interview and more on Radio Shadhin 92.4 FM Every Saturday, 11 PM onwards.
Interviewed by
Rafi Hossain
and narrated by
Rayan Quddus
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