'The beauty of char amazed me'

National Film Award-winning actress Runa Khan has graced both silver screen and theatre stage with her exceptional talent for years. The actress is currently busy shooting for her upcoming film "Bok: The Soul of Nature", in the picturesque Lalpur char of Ashuganj in Brahmanbaria.

In a candid conversation with The Daily Star, Runa delved into her experiences of shooting for the new movie and shared insights into her aspirations.

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Runa Khan reborn

You are shooting for your new film on Meghna 'char'. Tell us more about the project.

You're right! "Bok: The Soul of Nature" is directed by Masud Pathik. It marks my first collaboration with him as a director. In this film, I portray Sobita, whose husband is a Heron hunter. Through this movie, we aim to narrate a tale that encompasses life, nature, and the lives of coast dwellers.

Is the film's script inspired by Jibanananda Das' poem?

Most certainly. Das' poetry is well-known among Bengali readers, and his film script is inspired by his cherished poem Aat Bochhor Ager Ekdin.

Through this production, we intend to capture the essence of Bengal, the unique charm of the char, and the beauty of the rivers.

How challenging is it to shoot in a 'char' area?

Char areas have their own set of challenges. Accommodation is scarce, and boats are the only means of transportation.

Interestingly, the weather has also played its part. Sudden drizzles during the shoot made the sequences authentic without the need for artificial intervention.

At times, we would shoot under the scorching sun and other times, we would drench in downpours.

For this film, I had to shoot without makeup and the experience was quite unique. Sunburn on my skin for the first few days were a little difficult to cope with. However, I got used to the environment with time.

Any particular scene that you found challenging during the shoot?

A river scene which took around six hours and numerous takes. We started at around 9:00am with a team of some forty individuals. A part of the team would be ashore while another had to be on boats, which exacerbated the challenges.

It was quite an endeavor as we had to stay at local homesteads and I must say, people here are incredibly warm and welcoming. Their hospitality has been overwhelming, with gestures like offering guavas or homemade meals.

Despite the limitations, the beauty of the char and the genuine connection with its people have made this experience truly memorable.

What aspired your acting career?

As long as I am healthy and alive, my passion for acting will continue to burn brightly. My aspiration as an artiste is to embody diverse characters that challenge and inspire me. The thrill lies in exploring a diverse range of roles which pushes my boundaries and capabilities to new heights.