Alfeeya Donna, who plays Bhawna in Jihad that won several national and international film festival awards, speaks with SHALINI SAKSENA about challenges of playing a Kashmiri Pandit
What is Jihad about?
This film is not a typical commercial masala Bollywood kind of a movie. It has been specifically made for the international festival circuits. It is a drama film made on the ongoing terrorism in Kashmir. When we talk about jihad, it simply means to kill the anger and not to kill innocent people in the name of God. This film revolves around a militant whose path crosses with a vulnerable Kashmiri Pandit girl — Bhawna. She is four months pregnant and a widow. What happens next is what Jihad is all about.
What attracted you to the project?
As an actor, I have always wanted to pursue realistic cinema and take up projects with good subjects which have profound scripts and challenging roles where I can portray my acting skills. I never wanted to take up a film just for the sake of playing a character even if it was a big production banner. Art and quality is what drives me. After narration of Jihad by director Rakesh Parmar sir I was so absorbed in the story that I said yes. Also, it was a great opportunity for me to be part of a message-oriented film.
Why said yes to the character?
After Bhawna loses her husband, who was shot dead by militants, she is depressed and facing many obstacles all alone. It is a strong character. She is a loving person but at the same time she is strong and has the ability to change someone’s life. It is not a glamorous role and that attracted me.
Were there challenges to your role?
I had to get the dialect correct and trained for it; I took classes for it. I interacted with the locals to see how they sit, talk, walk and eat. I wore loose fitting Kashmir clothes. We were shooting in dangerous areas of the Valley; we got threats as well. There were many safety protocols we followed.
You are a singer and an actor from Dubai. How did you get into Hindi cinema?
I have been exposed to Hindi cinema since childhood. I did my acting course at New York Academy and Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares. Then auditions for Jihad were happening which I give a shot at.
You are looking to launch music in Hindi and English. Tell us about that.
The first Hindi single was launched by Mika Singh’s Music and Sound. Then I released a song on my YouTube channel. But I have been working on a lot of projects including one with Mika.
You also produced a short film Karb. What is it about?
It is about woman empowerment and stressing the need for women to get equal opportunity to education.
What are your upcoming projects?
I have been getting offers but I am taking it easy because of the COVID-19. I am looking for quality over quantity for now.
