Tasnia Farin has carved out an extraordinary career in a relatively short amount of time, showcasing her versatility at every turn. A graduate from the Bangladesh University of Professionals, Farin’s journey from television to highly acclaimed OTT productions, such as Ladies & Gentlemen (2021), Karagar (2022), Syndicate (2022), Baba, Someone’s Following Me (2023), Oshomoy (2024), and Kacher Manush Dure Thuiya (2024), highlights her ability to adapt and thrive. She made her silver screen debut last year with the Tollywood film, Aaro Ek Prithibi, directed by Atanu Ghosh. A recipient of prestigious awards such as Most Promising Actress of 2023 from the West Bengal Film Journalists’ Association and Best Debut Actress at the Filmfare Awards Bangla 2024, Farin’s contributions to the industry solidify her status as a sought-after name.
What inspired you to pursue a career in acting, and how did you start in the industry?
Acting was a hobby I picked up early in my childhood. It started with playing house, marrying my dolls, and talking to my hands. Turning it into a profession was more incidental. I started taking up acting gigs for an allowance while I was still studying, and then one day it just became a part of my dream of being an entrepreneur. I wanted to have my own business someday and build my own brand. I’m pursuing that ambition now, but the difference is that I’m working towards making myself a brand.
How do you approach preparing for and embodying different characters?
Preparation for a role stems from the demands of the script. It is a collaborative effort between the creative team and the artiste. The trajectory of characters is usually shaped by their internal journey. To capture their nuances and innermost turmoil, I often delve into their past and present lives. The most effective tool for that is imagination. Besides that, their location, background, traumas, and upbringing are additional layers that help bring a vision to life.
What elements of a script interest you and make you want to be part of the project?
The imperfections that make a story very human and very much our own; it can be a subtle connection between my own life and the character. More often than not, it’s about how I feel from the audience’s perspective. Is the script captivating enough, or does it keep me awake at night thinking about the dimensions of the story’s universe?
If you could play any character in a TV show or film, who would it be and why?
Off the top of my head, I would say it is Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s character in Fleabag. Her dry humour and direct interaction with the audience, while being submerged in deep emotion, took me aback. It is a beautiful story that explores aspects of feminism, which are often absent on screen.
Who is your biggest fashion inspiration?
I don’t have a role model in fashion because to me it’s about one’s own comfort and style. However, there are stylists I keep an eye on. One of them is Law Roach. I love the way he merges vintage pieces with modern ones to create a unique signature of his own.
What is one thing you love to do in your free time that most people wouldn’t expect?
I love writing and creating music. Sometimes I spend hours at my desk only to scrap the whole thing later on.
One piece of advice you would give to young people who aspire to be in showbiz.
It is important to have a vision and a roadmap. If you have tunnel vision, you can only go so far. But if the sky’s the limit, then you can fly as long as you’re alive.
What can you tell us about your upcoming projects?
I’m currently busy with a project titled How Sweet, directed by Kajal Arefin Ome, and I’m starring alongside Ziaul Faruq Apurba. It is a Valentine’s Day web film for Bongo.