Whether it's rush hours or stress, life in the city gets harder each day. Lightening up the air of gloom is the affable actress Shahnoor, who seems to be perpetually smiling, both on and off screen.

It is difficult to believe that when she embarked on her career, she was a complete introvert. “I was quite shy up until my college days. When I used to go to college I'd almost veil myself, hardly talking to anyone. Many of my more outgoing friends had also taken a shot at acting, but when out of them all, I, the shy, introvert made it — it was a complete surprise to everyone!”

So far Shahnoor, aka Moushumi, has done around 34 movies, 45 TV plays and telefims and several TV commercials. In 1997 she started modelling and hosting stage shows. Her first commercial was for Sunny Brand Mango Juice after which she did Plaza Print Saree and other ads. In 1999, she made her debut on the silver screen. Some of her early films were "Kuashar Shesh Chithi” directed by Abed Islam Tipu and “Ziddi Shontan” directed by Zillur Rahman.

With a string of other films behind her, Shahnoor also did a movie shot in India, “Chor O Bhogoban” directed by Biplob Chatterjee.

Shahnoor is currently busy with “Ke Aamar Shotru”, “Neel Neel Akashe" and “Police Super”. She had worked with the late actor Manna in a movie titled "Jibon Jontrona”. Shahnoor also composed and recorded a song in the album “Isharaye Sheesh Diye” in 2004 and has plans to do something similar in the near future.

One memorable and tragic moment in Shahnoor's life was her first day of shooting. "The role in my first film was that of a girl from a well-to-do background with short hair. Back then I had really long hair. Shooting was in the evening — I was taken to a salon for a trim. My long hair was reduced to neck-length. I couldn't stop crying. Believe it or not, I fainted four times!

“That evening before the shooting, something hilarious happened. The director told the make-up artiste to 'cut' my nose and cheeks. Tears streamed down my cheeks. The make-up artiste probably thought that I was still upset about the haircut. I made up my mind that if I saw a knife or sharp object in his hand, I would get up that very moment and quit acting. After a while, when nothing happened, I asked the makeup artiste what the director meant when he said that. In reply I was told that it's a technical term, which means sharpening the cheeks and nose with make-up. I didn't know whether I should laugh or cry."

“My main source of inspiration is my family. My parents are very sociable. Maybe that's why my brother and I turned out to be fun-loving as well.”

“As a person, I think I am rather emotional. I trust people a lot and get hurt easily.”