Theatre brought peace to my life: Nawshaba
There was a time when Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed found herself facing one of the most challenging phases of her life. In the middle of that chaos, theatre entered her world — offering a rare sense of hope and peace just when she needed it most.
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"Theatre isn't just close to my heart; it's a reflection of my soul. I haven't been involved in theatre for very long. I might have worked in one play before 2018, but my real journey began after that. During that turbulent period, my presence on screen became limited, and even stepping outside the house felt overwhelming," shared the actress.
Nawshaba is currently starring in "Siddhartha", directed by Reza Arif and produced by the theatre troupe Aarshinagar Dhaka. Based on Hermann Hesse's acclaimed novel, the play features Nawshaba in the titular role of Siddhartha, a young Brahmin on a profound journey through wisdom, disillusionment, and ultimately, enlightenment.
Speaking to The Daily Star, Nawshaba reflected on how the play has helped her rediscover inner peace during one of the most challenging periods of her life.
"When I started working on 'Siddhartha', I was going through a lot mentally," she said. "Around that time, I created 'Together We Can' — my own group through which I offer art therapy to people with special needs. I wanted to use art to support their mental health. Since 2018, I've directed two or three productions featuring their stories and performed in different parts of Bangladesh."
"While I was sitting and watching a rehearsal, Reza Arif sir suddenly told me to read for 'Siddhartha'. I thought he meant only for the reading, but when he told me I would actually be playing Siddhartha, I became anxious. Siddhartha is traditionally a male character. When I asked him, 'Why me?', he simply replied, 'Does Siddhartha belong to any gender? What does Siddhartha mean to you?' I told him Siddhartha is a feeling. And he said, 'Feelings don't have a gender.' After that, I never doubted it again."
For Nawshaba, the play resonates far beyond her personal experience. "As a nation, we're also going through a turbulent period. With everything happening around the world, the wars, the uncertainty — Siddhartha doesn't just give answers; it also raises questions. It inspires you to love your life and helps you move forward. Siddhartha is not a destination; it's a journey."
When asked about her film Joto Kando Kolkatei, which was released in Kolkata, Nawshaba laughed and said, "Haha, my life is full of kando (incidents)." She continued, "I've learned a very important lesson from Siddhartha and also from my father — that if you remain honest and consistent, whatever is meant for you, whatever is written in your fate, no one can take it away."
When asked about her film "'Joto Kando Kolkatei', Nawshaba laughed and said, "Haha, my life is full of kando (incidents)."
She continued, "I've learned a very important lesson from Siddhartha and also from my father that if you remain honest and consistent, whatever is meant for you, whatever is written in your fate, no one can take it away."
Her Tollywood debut holds a special place in her heart. "It's a symbol of my hard work and determination. If you truly love your work and stay patient, good opportunities will come. This film was a big moment for me. I auditioned for the role, and I got it. I had the chance to work with one of my favourite directors, Anik Dutta, and on top of that, I played a central character. The story reflects what I deeply believe that family should always come first. And seeing the film run successfully despite the heavy competition during Durga Puja is a huge achievement."
Although she faced no visa issues during the shoot, she couldn't travel for dubbing. "I didn't face any visa restrictions during filming, but I couldn't go for dubbing because it coincided with the July movement."
Nawshaba also expressed heartfelt appreciation for "Antara' from "Dui Shaw". "I will forever be grateful to Nuhash for giving me Antara, which I shot in February 2024. At that time, no one was considering me for central roles not in OTT, not in cinema. I was doing strong work in theatre, but casting me as a protagonist was still considered risky. Nuhash went against the tide and trusted me. I will always be grateful."
Looking ahead, she hopes to take on more powerful roles. "I'm waiting for a project where a young director will have the courage to cast me as a protagonist so I can give my best. I haven't received any exciting OTT offers after Antara. Now I want to explore something different. I do a lot of romance and comedy in theatre, and I want audiences to see that lighter side of me on screen. I'm eagerly waiting to do romance in cinema."
This is the fourth edition of the play, with four shows scheduled from November 19 to 21. There will be two shows today (November 2) — one at 4pm and another at 7:30pm.
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