Afran Nisho, Rumana Rashid Ishita and Ashfaque Nipun on the sets of ‘Eti Ma.’ Photo: Jisan Mirza

Rumana Rashid Ishita is one of the most beloved faces in our television industry. Her powerful acting and charisma has immersed the audiences for decades. For the last few years, the actor has been very selective of her work, and often comes back into the limelight with intriguing performances. This Eid, she appeared in a lead role in the telefilm Eti Ma, directed by Ashfaque Nipun. It has been one of the most popular works this Eid, and was widely appreciated by audiences across the country. In a candid chat with The Daily Star, Ishita talks about her role in this project.

How was your experience working in 'Eti Ma'?

It has been wonderful. This was my first project with director Ashfaque Nipun, who has been producing some of the best works for television in the last few years. I finally had the opportunity to work with him, and it has been a great experience overall. We finished the shoot before the lockdown was issued.

The telefilm tells the audience a powerful story, which is scarce in today's television industry. Do you think this will create a positive impact overall?

Eti Ma was not a borrowed story --thisis the story of our lives. The primary aspect of a telefilm is its script. A powerful script comes to life with the actors' performances. 

Our television industry often falls short in the storytelling aspect. I believe more projects like this will positively affect the industry.

How did you feel after watching it on the screen?

Whenever I work on a project, I always make time to watch it. Usually, the mistakes are noticeable while watching it on screen, but this time, the story captivated me completely.

I received praises from friends and acquaintances after it aired. The audience also had many expectations from this telefilm, and it could deliver.

How was it like working with actor Afran Nisho?

I have worked with Nisho before. He is an excellent actor, who is adept at portraying various characters – versatility is very important for any artiste.

How are you spending time during this pandemic?

At home, mostly. My kids are participating in their online classes and I have to help them out. I am usually busy with them.