Actress Nazifa Tushi, known for her acclaimed performance as Gulati in Mezbauer Rahman Sumon’s ‘Hawa’, is set to appear in the same director’s upcoming Eid release ‘Roid’, where she portrays a very different character shaped by a process of intense physical and psychological preparation.
According to the production narrative, Tushi’s approach to the role went far beyond conventional preparation. To align herself with the character’s look and emotional world, she reportedly spent a long period avoiding the use of shampoo, soap and conditioner for around six months, aiming to develop an unpolished and natural appearance. The intention, as described, was to allow her skin texture and facial features to reflect the character’s lived reality.
Her transformation also included deliberate changes to her appearance, including unkempt hair, a darker complexion and altered facial texture. She is said to have embraced natural exposure to sunlight as part of this process, rather than relying on make-up techniques to simulate skin tone changes, which she considered less authentic for the role.
The actress also adopted habits linked to the character’s environment, including consuming paan. In doing so, she reportedly used a traditional form of lime, which led to physical discomfort, including burning sensations in her mouth and difficulty speaking at times. Despite these challenges, she continued the process as part of her commitment to realism.
Beyond physical preparation, Tushi also immersed herself in the character’s working-class surroundings during filming. She is said to have actively participated in building a mud house set alongside local workers, including carrying soil, working on elevated terrain and planting trees. She also sourced second-hand clothing from a local market to ensure her on-screen appearance blended seamlessly with everyday rural life.
During the shoot, she reportedly continued working despite health discomfort, including migraine pain caused by intense heat conditions on set. Her collaboration with co-actor Mostafizur Noor Imran and the wider team was marked by sustained effort throughout production.
Tushi has previously expressed that acting, for her, is not merely a profession but an immersive experience, describing it as a process of temporarily leaving behind one life to inhabit another.
The upcoming film ‘Roid’ is expected to reflect the outcome of this intensive preparation when it is released.
