In addition to directing, you acted in the film. One man did two things together. How did you handle it?
I came into the industry to work as an actor. However, I generally don’t do acting. I am so grateful to Nandita Roy for giving me the opportunity to act in the movie. Besides, I’ve been able to work with actresses like Paoli Dam, Jaya Ahsan, and it’s been a big deal for me to share the screen with them. And, as a director I would like to say that Shibprasad the director has liked working with Shibprasad the actor in the same movie.
How would Director Shibprasad number actor Shibprasad?
I think Nandita Roy can give a good answer to this question because it would be critical for Director Shibprasad to answer the question. I tried to do well, the rest up to the audience. The viewers can tell how well an actor has done.
In Kolkata, ‘Kantha’ was commercially successful. There is a huge difference of thought between the audience of Bangladesh and India although the language of the people of Bangladesh and Kolkata is similar. In that case, why do you think the viewers of Bangladesh will watch the movie ‘Kantha’?
I don’t think that. I could be completely wrong. I think that ‘Matir Moyna’ has united the hearts of the two Bengal. ‘Ahare’ and Aynabaji’ has engrossed the minds of Bangladesh along with mine. So, cinema has only one language, good or bad. What I made as a movie will either be in the hearts of the people, or it will not be accepted. I don’t think what has been liked in India won’t be accepted by the people of Bangladesh. ‘Pather Pachali’ has been well accepted in India and Bangladesh. Judging by our own films, we can say, just as ‘Bela Sheshe’, ‘Prakton’, ‘Posto’ has won every one in India in the same way, I think ‘Kantha’ will become popular here in Bangladesh.
You had previously acted in a Bangladeshi movie. Want to work again?
In my life, I first worked in Bangladeshi film titled ‘Ekti Nodir Nam’. There, Shumi Kaiser played opposite to me. I worked in Bangladesh for a long time then. So I have another connection with Bangladesh. One of my very favorite directors in Bangladesh is my friend Nirjhar, the director of ‘Ahare’. I think if I could ever make a movie like that I can say that I have made a good movie. It was such a simple movie which is what made it a great movie. I am a fan of Jaya Ahsan’s performance. I am grateful that Jaya has acted in our own film. It looks good!
This is your first movie with Jaya Ahsan.
Do you want to make movies with someone else in Bangladesh?
I had a phone call with Shakib Khan of Bangladesh. So if I can ever work with Shakib, I would love it. I would love to work with Ferdous he is a very good friend of mine. I love Aupi Karim’s acting. I would love to work with her.
I would like to know about your expectation of ‘Kantha’ in Bangladesh—
Many of our films are liked by the audience of Bangladesh. I believe that ‘Kantha’ will also be liked by everyone because ‘Kantha’ is not just a movie but a mission of ours. It is a love story, story of struggle and a story of survival. So, I request everyone to go and see ‘Kantha’.
How much would you give Jaya Ahsan as an actress out of ten?
Ten out of ten can’t be given to anyone. Nobody can give it. But I can give her nine out of ten.
