Nazifa Tushi unravels ‘Pagli’ in ‘Roid’

Nazifa Tushi’s star seems to be on a roll. In consecutive Eid seasons, her films have hit theatres, with both roles portraying fierce women who challenge societal norms. This Eid-ul-Azha, her film “Roid” is set for release, where she plays a character with no name of her own, known to villagers simply as Pagli or Sadur bou.

Amid her busy schedule of juggling shooting and promotions, we caught up with the actress to talk about “Roid” and her Eid plans.

Recently, Nazifa Tushi made headlines for her first-ever playback singing performance of “Paglir Prem Jala” at the Roider Gaan concert held at Rabindra Sarobar.

“When the ‘Roid’ team asked me to sing, I was really scared. I honestly had no idea whether the audience would like it or not. However, when I performed it live in front of the audience, the way people clapped and danced to the song made me really happy. The story of ‘Roid’, its atmosphere, and its songs are all very grounded. That feeling is also reflected in the song. I tried to sing it with my own emotions. I hope the audience will like it even more after its release.”

Tushi, who found herself deeply drawn to the music of “Roid”, said she instantly connected with the project after hearing one of its songs. “Almost all of the songs are beautiful, but when I listened to “Mon chara ki” by Kanai Das Baul, I knew in my heart that I wanted to be part of it,” she shared.

Speaking about preparing for the psychological depth of Pagli’s character, she emphasised her approach of separating real life from performance while still drawing emotional truth from within.

“No character I play is ever like my real life. I can’t become that way in real life—it’s not possible for me to just wander around the streets like that. That is purely a character, not me,” she said. However, she added that what resonates with her most is the emotional core of the character. “Pagli’s psychological state and the way her mind works — those aspects connected deeply with me.”

“Roid” is a love story loosely inspired by the tale of Adam and Eve. The shoot took place in remote locations with no trees, mobile network, or modern facilities, where the cast lived closely with villagers—an experience that made it difficult for Tushi to detach from her character.

For nearly a year, she immersed herself in the role of Pagli. “It was really difficult for me to come out of the character. My physical transformation became complete. I stopped wearing my own clothes. Not just me — the others playing villagers also lived together. We cooked, ate, climbed trees, caught fish, and rowed boats together. Every day, we visited different villagers’ homes,” she said.

According to Tushi, returning to normal life after the shoot took time. “I become very intense when I play a character, and sometimes that affects my personal life and the people around me,” she added.

Reflecting on how Eid has changed for her over the years, she said, “Honestly, celebrations have become more like a tradition. But I believe every single day has its own beautiful moments. The moment I feel alive—that’s what I love the most. It could be sitting in the mountains, hanging out with friends, or sharing a meal with my mother at the same table. That moment itself is my feeling.”

When asked about her favourite part of Eid, she spoke warmly about her mother’s cooking. “I’ve always loved my mother’s cooking,” she said. “During Eid, she makes korma and jorda, which I enjoy a lot. Whether it’s beef or fish dishes, I love all the Eid food she prepares.”

She added that homemade meals hold a special emotional value for her. “I really prefer home-cooked food — especially anything made by a mother’s hands,” she shared. “I have a strong attachment to those meals. And of course, my mother’s cooking is my favourite.”

Tushi also mentioned that she helps her mother during Eid preparations whenever she can.

Recalling a memorable Eid, she shared a moment that felt both joyful and bittersweet. “One year, Eid fell on my birthday,” she said. “I received a lot of gifts and salami, then went out with my friends. While roaming around, I ended up spending money carelessly, and afterwards I felt really upset.”

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Looking back, she now remembers the incident fondly. “It felt like I experienced the happiest and the most painful day at the same time,” she added with a laugh. “Now it feels like a funny childhood memory.”