ZAHID AKBAR

This Eid-ul-Fitr marked the debut of Kolkata’s Jyotirmoyee Kundu in the Bangladeshi film industry, starring opposite Shakib Khan in Prince . Having begun her journey on television with Bodhua in 2024 and making her big-screen debut in 2025 with Prajapati 2 alongside Dev, the young actor is still only three years into her career.

Following the Eid release of Prince , directed by Abu Hayat Mahmud, Jyotirmoyee travelled to Bangladesh, visiting cinemas on the first day to experience audience reactions firsthand, before sitting down for a photoshoot and interview at The Daily Star.

After ‘Prince’ hit theatres, you visited cinemas across Bangladesh. What stood out from the audience response?

The song Pori has really taken on a life of its own. Everywhere I went, people kept calling me ‘Pori’—that’s what I’ve been hearing the most. We had hopes for the song, but the love it has received has gone beyond our expectations. That warmth is what brought me to Bangladesh. If audiences continue to embrace me like this, I would love to do more films here. I also witnessed the incredible craze for Shakib Khan across both Bengals—it’s something I’ll always remember.

How did your family react?

My mother absolutely loved Pori . She told me how much she enjoyed it after it was released. I’ve also received a lot of positive feedback on social media. I think the chemistry between Shakib Khan and me felt fresh to the audience. The excitement around the film has been truly overwhelming.

What was it like working opposite Shakib Khan? Did it feel challenging?

Of course—it’s a big challenge for any newcomer to work opposite someone like Shakib Khan. But it was also a huge learning experience. He supported me throughout and helped me in every way possible, which made the process much easier. Despite being such a big star, he never made me feel intimidated. The director and the entire team were equally supportive. Prince has given me a certain recognition, and with that comes a greater sense of responsibility moving forward.

You’ve now worked in both industries. How do you see the experience?

Acting doesn’t really belong to any one place, but working in both industries has been very fulfilling for me. Shakib Khan’s professionalism stood out—he’s not just a star, but a wonderful co-actor. People here are incredibly warm and hospitable. In 2025, I worked opposite Dev in Prajapati 2 , and I learned a lot from him as well. Overall, it’s been a very enriching journey.

There has been some criticism about your dialect in ‘Prince’. How do you respond to that?

I followed the director’s instructions when delivering my lines. Beyond that, there isn’t much I can say. I simply tried to do justice to the character.

What about love—does it have a place in your life right now?

Not at the moment. Right now, my focus and my love remain my work. Perhaps I’ll fall in love in the future, but for me, love isn’t a casual thing. It comes with depth and responsibility. It’s about care. If someone does enter my life, I’ll definitely share it.

What lies ahead for you as an actor?

I want to keep rediscovering myself with every role. I’m looking to take on meaningful work in both industries and grow step by step, rather than rushing the process. I respect criticism, as it helps us improve. I’m preparing myself for a long journey, and there are already conversations around a few exciting new projects. I’m hopeful about what’s to come.