Actors Khairul Bashar and Masuma Rahman Nabila underwent rigorous physical and mental preparations to portray Jibanananda Das and Bonolota Sen authentically in the film 'Bonolot Sen'. Khairul Bashar had to keep a lemon in his mouth for 32 days to achieve a specific physical trait of Jibanananda Das. He also faced extreme cold during night shoots in Srimangal, where the temperature dropped to 5 degrees Celsius. Nabila, on the other hand, suffered an internal knee injury from repeatedly getting up and sitting down during a scene. Both actors continue to feel the effects of these challenges two years after filming. The film, based on the life and literary ambiance of poet Jibanananda Das, is now showing in theaters across the country. Director Masud Hasan Ujjal and the lead actors recently shared their experiences at a Prothom Alo office visit. They discussed the various hardships they faced during the shooting, including physical discomfort and mental pressure to make their characters believable. One notable challenge for Bashar was figuring out how Jibanananda Das would sit—whether with legs folded or in another manner—to make the character appear natural on screen. For Nabila, the most difficult scene involved repeatedly getting up and sitting down, which led to an internal knee injury that she still feels the effects of today. Both actors described each scene as a final exam, requiring intense preparation and emotional investment to capture the right emotions, body language, and character depth on camera.
Physical and Mental Trials
Khairul Bashar's preparation for the role included keeping a lemon in his mouth for 32 days to achieve a specific physical trait of Jibanananda Das. This caused mouth sores, making it difficult for him to eat properly. He also endured extreme cold during night shoots in Srimangal, where the temperature dropped to 5 degrees Celsius. Despite the physical discomfort, Bashar found strength in immersing himself in the character of Jibanananda Das.
