"I try not to act" --Prachi
Did you originally want to become an actress? If not, then how did your acting career begin?
Initially, I used to recite poems and poetry was my passion. For some reason, I became interested in theatre and become a member of Loko Nattya Dal in 1989. Since then, I've greatly relished acting and became a member of theatre groups such as Arannyak and Nagarik.
What was your breakthrough performance?
Without doubt it is my performance in Morshedul Islam's "Dukhai". Although by then I'd become a regular in TV dramas, after "Dukhai" people started recognising me as an actor. I received the National Film Award in 1997 for the best supporting actress. Better and meatier roles were offered to me after this film.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Who is your idol, when it comes to acting?
I don't have an idol in its true sense. In other words, I don't try to imitate or follow anyone's style. However, I rate Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi as skillful actors.
What is your approach to the roles you play?
I always try not to "act". I just think about how the character I'm playing would react to the situation she is in and perform accordingly.
Do you want to share your experience with Matir Moyna?"Matir Moyna" has been an incomparable experience. I can't say enough about this movie. Tareque and Catherine Masud have taken Bangladesh to a whole new level in the arena of international films. It was like a dream come true.
What is your dream role and why?
Hands down, the character of "Noti Binodini". Binodini made a tremendous contribution to theatre. In her time, when female theatre actors were looked down upon, Binodini paved a way for us. Besides that, any character in movies or plays that I think has been beautifully portrayed, makes me want to play that role. For instance, I recently watched "Two women" and I would kill to play either of the two main characters in that movie.
A naive act that still makes you laugh.
I had never worked in a film prior to "Dukhai". We were in Patuakhali for the shooting of the movie and after the first day, the director Morshed Bhai was going through the shot-division script. I noticed that next to other actors' there were initials like "NG" and "GS" and next to my name there was no "NG". I was a little disappointed and asked Morshed Bhai, "I didn't do so well, did I?" Morshed Bhai started laughing and explained to me that "NG" stands for "not good" and "GS" stands for Good Shot. Not having "NG" next to my name, wasn't bad at all.
Where do you see yourself five years on?
I want to do more meaningful movies and plays. I have intentions of writing good scripts. I want to move towards direction as well.