Zerifa moves to theatre - Backstage girl

Zerifa Wahid addresses the media at the launch of her production house at Guwahati Press Club on Wednesday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Sept. 12: Actress Zerifa Wahid has decided to take a backseat, literally.

After wooing the Assamese audience with her acting skills in the proscenium, the film and theatre actress has now ventured into production of plays. And that means a lot of backstage work for the bubbly and glamorous Wahid.

Zerifa Wahid Productions was formally launched at a small function at Guwahati Press Club today. The launch saw Assamese film and theatre personalities, friends, family members and well-wishers of this multifaceted talent coming together.

“I would like to take the blessings of one and all for my dream project. I am grateful for all the encouragement I have received from the theatre world. Theatre has always given me a wider space to experiment and express myself as a complete actor. It is the love for theatre that has motivated me to start the production house,” said Wahid, a law graduate, who has also practised for a while in Gauhati High Court.

It is not for anything that Wahid is so much committed towards theatre. Her four plays, over a period of five years, has been well received by both her fans and critics.

She has acted in Goduli, based on the famous story by littérateur and filmmaker Bhabendranath Saikia and directed by Giyasuddin Ahmed, Suryastha, directed by national award winning director Bidyut Chakraborty, Eti Tumar by veteran actor and theatre director Moloya Goswami and Gulam, again directed by Ahmed.

Wahid’s production house will produce five plays every year. Directors like Chakraborty, Rajiv Bhattacharya and Ahmed have consented to work with Wahid’s production house.

“The production house is not a profit-making endeavour. Initially, I have to invest money from my own pocket to produce the plays. Since we are all aware of the current deplorable situation of both Assamese cinema and theatre, we have to make a lot of sacrifice to keep the production house going. I am also looking forward to approach corporate houses to help me in my productions,” Wahid said.

“I will give full creative freedom to my directors. I will be the producer of the plays and my role will be limited only to that. The director will have the discretion to choose his actors and story,” she added.

With a series of successful films under her kitty like Nayak, Gun Gun Gane Gane, admirable theatre performances and music videos, the pretty woman has become one of the most sought-after faces in the state’s glamour industry.

A few months ago, she set up a legal panel to help victims of domestic violence. “The counselling panel is the first step towards helping abused women,” said Wahid.

“If the panel succeeds in doing its job, it will be converted into an NGO. And everyone is welcome to join in the cause,” she added.