CRAFTING ONSCREEN IDENTITIES

Whether it's on the silver screen or the theatre, the fundamental elements of a successful production piece are firstly a killer script, and then actors who can portray their characters with absolute finesse. What further adds value to the production's visibility and artistic appeal are choreography, costumes and makeup. Costumes not only serve as signifying attires, they help create a character's identity, and specify a time period of the story's setting. Makeup is just as imperative, as it accents visibility of a performer's facial features on stage or film set.
This week Star Showbiz speaks to Afsana Ara Bindu, renowned actress and model, and Nusrat Sharmin, a talented costume designer, regarding the importance and necessity of a proper costume designing sector in our media industry. Bindu, one of industry's prominent talents, believes that a flawless appearance depends on donning the right attire. She came into the limelight only a few years ago through the Lux Channel i Superstar 2006 program, and has already engraved her forte within the world of glamour and showbiz.

“My line of work isn't limited to developing my skills as a performer, but also keeping up with current fashion trends and always attempting to reinvent my appearance,” says Bindu. “For such an emerging modern film and media industry, generic costumes limit a production and it's performers from evolving. It is vital is to have a sector specialized in costume design within the industry because it's a key component that helps create the theme and persona for whichever setting a story is set on. As a production studio requires a light director, a sound director, a set designer, it also needs a costume designer,” she adds.
Bindu, whose acting career has led her to play several different roles under different settings and themes, realises the importance of having a designer on set. In her last feature film, she played the role of a Hindu girl from the 70's. Starting from her clothes and makeup, down to each and every single accessory, thorough research was needed to create the appearance of the role that she would have to play. Each and every little detail needed to be perfect in order to perfect the portrayal of the character and the story. “The actor's appearance needs to be able to tell a story by itself; present an identity; create a persona that will leave a legacy,” says Bindu. Being experienced from performing on stage, and on the silver screen, she has worked with several independent fashion and costume designers for her various gigs. However, working with fashion, or boutiques is quite different from a costume designer who specializes in entertainment and show business.

Over the past one year, Nusrat Sharmin has been Bindu's costume designer and her personal fashion stylist. She also runs a professional costume/fashion “wearhouse” called Bella Dea. The young and talented designer came into this line of business only about a year ago. Inspired by her very close friend, Bindu, Nusrat has had a chance to work on several of her projects, taking full advantage of the opportunity to learn and refine her expertise. “The Bangladeshi media industry is progressive and demanding, and in order to thrive in it, one needs to know what they're doing, and of course, be good at what they're doing. As a costume designer, my work involves creating costumes based specifically on what setting a scene is about, the timing that the setting is indicating, and on what the model needs to wear to fit her character in that particular setting,” says costume designer Nusrat. When quizzed about how much work it is to be a costume designer, Nusrat explains, “this kind of work requires a lot of brainstorming and research, which then follows on to visualization of the needed attire, and then comes the tedious bit – collecting the necessary material needed and putting together the final costume. If for any reason, the setting or scene changes at a last minute decision, it comes down to a matter of thinking on one's feet and improvising to make things click.” The photographs of Bindu here have been captured by Rafiqul Islam RAF, who is known for his photographic skills for advertisements mainly. But he has decided to venture out into glamour photography, and, working closely with actors and costume designers, he is being able to capture an experimental fresh look.
In the last few years, the media industry in Bangladesh has risen significantly in terms of quality and versatility. And with new TV channels, copious range of movies and TV shows, as well as theatre productions, the media is booming. The talented new generation of young actors and directors are taking the industry to a whole new level step by step. With the media world in many countries reaching new heights every year in terms of production value, why should the Bangladeshi movie industry lag behind? With so much more room to grow, the Bangladeshi media industry and its members still have ground to cover, but with the right push and opportunities, nothing's impossible. If the sky is the limit, shouldn't Bangladesh's stars be up there too?