Tisca Chopra to be seen as a burqa boxer in Bioscopewala
24/05/2018
Tisca Chopra essays a rather interesting part in the film Bioscopewala. While Danny Denzongpa plays the title role, Tisca is a burqa boxer. She portrays the role of an Afghan immigrant, Wahida, who finds herself in the boxing ring. Tisca says, “I had heard about burqa boxers in Kolkata in passing as a documentary was made on them. But they don’t wear burqas for their bouts. In fact, they sport hijabs. I explored their lives a lot more to play the character because I needed to know what their circumstances might be. Director Deb Medhekar, also gave me a lot of feedback.”
She adds, “Some Muslim immigrant women get into this to avoid prostitution. They are used just the way roosters are used in cockfights. Most people who come to watch them are immigrant labourers, who are away from their families. For them, it’s a kind of illicit pleasure. These women often get hurt, but don’t get proper medical care. There’s no training or equipment. They don’t even have access to gloves or gear. It’s just an improvised boxing area where they sometimes have to fight their friends.”
BACK TO HER ROOTS
Tisca also took up this role for personal reasons. She reveals, “My father was the principal of the India International School in Afghanistan and was attached to the Embassy there. So, I grew up in that country. When the makers told me this character was an Afghan immigrant, I knew I had to take it up. I always wanted to portray a character that would help me connect with that part of my life. I speak fluent Persian and I got a chance to say some lines in the film, which was delightful.”
FIGHTING IT OUT
Besides getting to know about the personal struggles of the women who are burqa boxers, Tisca also underwent physical training for the role. She says, “I learnt a bit of mixed martial arts and boxing to get into the groove of the character. Though this is not the longest role, it’s the most exciting role. Wahida ages from 22-23 to 45 years. She goes through the entire journey and is a big part of Bioscopewala’s (Danny Denzongpa’s) life.” While most of the boxing scenes were choreographed, the actress says that they also left room for improvement. “Or else, it would’ve seemed like a rehearsed fight,” she feels. Tisca gushes about their shooting locale, Leh. “Shooting there was an amazing experience. The landscape is something that I am used to, but the locations were stunning and a joy to shoot at,” she concludes.
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