Two songs of director Mehedi Hasan Hridoy’s upcoming film Rakshas are yet to be shot, while dubbing work has not started. So far, only the Sri Lanka schedule of the film has been completed. Meanwhile, the film’s female lead Tollywood actor Susmita Chatterjee has taken a short break from work.
In a recent interview with Anandabazar.com, Susmita opened up about the film and her experience working in Bangladesh. She visited Bangladesh in December when “Rakshas” was officially announced, and shooting began shortly afterward. However, after six days of filming, the sudden death of student leader Osman Hadi led to unrest in the region, prompting the production to halt as a precaution.
“I saw a country change overnight. Although we did not get any direct hint of the riots, shooting was stopped for safety reasons. No one let me get even a scratch on my body,” she said.
The actress expressed deep appreciation for the hospitality she received in Bangladesh. “There was no flaw in the food or the care. People from across Bengal are very mindful of their guests. At first, I had some difficulty understanding the language, but I gradually got used to it,” she shared.
The film stars Siam Ahmed as the male lead. Recently, Siam shared a still from one of their songs on social media, which drew widespread praise from Bangladeshi audiences.
Regarding the film’s release, Susmita mentioned that she has heard “Rakshas” is likely to hit theatres in Bangladesh during Eid this year and may not see a release in West Bengal initially.
Speaking about her role, she said, “In the poster, the hero has a rose on his lips, which suggests there is love in the story. My character has many layers, and I am satisfied with my performance.”
Following the recent elections in Bangladesh, Susmita also shared a hopeful message about cross-border relations. “Let the exchanges between the two countries remain as free as before. There is a barbed-wire fence in between. I hope it never becomes important again in the coming days,” she added.
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
