Every girl should celebrate her skin, whatever be the tone: Nusraat Faria

Actress Nusraat Faria, while getting ready for an exclusive shoot with us, told the team to ensure that her wheatish skin tone shouldn’t look fair. When asked about it, she quipped, “My skin tone is wheatish gold, or rather, I’d say, caramel. So, why would I want to look fair?” And true to her word, her skin literally shone during the shoot! In the chat that followed, the actress spoke about her love for Kolkata, her recent breakup, her Poila Boishakh pl-ans and more.Excerpts:
Why did you insist on keeping your skin tone natural during makeup?
Everyone in my family is fair except me. So, when I was born, they were worried that I’d never get married because of my skin tone (laughs)! But I’ve always been confident about my skin tone. When I started my career, some makeup artists used to make me look fair, and I hated it. I would become unrecognisable! Slowly, they realised that I celebrate my skin tone. And I strongly feel that every girl should celebrate her skin tone, whatever it may be, and be happy and confident about it.
So how confident are you?
A lot! It’s my confidence that sells. I believe I’m not that talented but sail through because of my confidence (laughs).
We hear that you always say Kolkata is your second home.
Oh yes! I love being here. The city welcomes everyone with open arms. There’s a joke in Bangladesh. People say that they go from Gulshan to Banani, but Faria goes from Gulshan to Kolkata (laughs)! I come here every two-three months.
So you must have a favourite food in Kolkata?
(With a sparkle in her eyes) Dosa with coconut chutney! That is my cheat meal when I’m here. I also have to watch a film at a theatre, as I can’t do that in Dhaka.
Who’s your friend from the film industry in Kolkata?
I think I can call Ankush a good close friend. I’ve done four films with him, and he is extremely nice and sweet to me. He helped me when I started my career. Apart from him, I really don’t know who I can call a friend, as ‘friend’ is a pretty strong word.

Bangladeshi actors are working a lot on OTT platforms here.
True and I am so happy about that. We should do more joint work so that we can create good content for the audience. Hawa was released here and got so much appreciation from the audience. I hear that my next, Abar Bibaho Obhijaan, will be released here and in Bangladesh simultaneously, though I’m not sure about it yet. But people here always tell me that they love to watch content from Bangladesh.
Most actors are now working on web series along with films. What are your plans?
For the time being, I’m more into films. This year I completed two — Abar Bibaho Obhijaan and Football 71. I’ll start shooting for another film in Dhaka in April. But again, I’m very unpredictable, so I might change my mind and do web series in future.
How was it working with British rapper Mumzy Stranger in his music video?
It was my fourth music video and I loved being part of it. Mumzy always used to say, “Nusraat I got your back” and that meant a lot to me.
Out-and-out commercial films or off-beat movies, which interests you more?
At the end of the day, I need appreciation from my audience for whatever project I’m doing. During the pandemic, I did an offbeat film, A House With No Name, Patalghar. The film travelled to many festivals and was screened at IFFI Goa. So, I realised that I could do both commercial and offbeat films so long as my audience likes them. Actually, I love the process of filmmaking or any other project, as every project enriches you as an artiste.
Why, do you feel, there’s a dearth of fresh faces in the industry?
Self-grooming is very important. I am a self-groomed person. A production house can give you a break and support you to a point, but after that actors have to work on themselves. Today’s generation is more concerned about likes or views on their pictures or reels on social media. They are not bothered whether their work is making any mark in the industry or how they can work towards it.
Poila Boishakh is celebrated in a grand way in Bangladesh. What are your plans this year?
This time, Poila Boishakh falls during Ramadan. We are fasting, and a lot of rituals happen during this time, so we won’t be able to celebrate it in a big way. But we’ll have panta bhaat and illish maach during iftaar. I think Eid is 10 days after Poila Baishak; we’re looking forward to celebrating it in a grand way.
Recently you ended a 10-year-long relationship and broke your engagement with long-term boyfriend Rony Rashid. What went wrong?
Well, nothing went wrong as such. We both are mature enough to take calls in life. We mutually decided to call it off. I met him when I was 17, 10 years down the line our perspectives towards life changed, and we realised that we were not happy together, so we decided that there’s no point in getting married. We’re still in touch as we co-parent our cats. Rony helped me become what I am today and is a big part of my life. And he will always be my biggest cheerleader.
So, do you still believe in love?
I think I can fall in love anytime. It’s the only food for my soul (laughs).
Pix: Anindya Saha