PHOTOS: COLLECTED

“My passion for work, my dedication, and my ability to stay committed until I successfully complete something — I learned all of that from my mother,” she shared. “She is my inspiration. She is everything to me. Her contributions to my life are beyond words. A mother can only be compared to another mother.”

SHAH ALAM SHAZU

As Mother’s Day returns once again, people everywhere take a moment to celebrate and cherish mothers who played great roles in all aspects of their lives.

While children love their mothers every single day, this occasion often becomes a special opportunity to express that affection more openly and wholeheartedly.

Many choose to reflect on memories, sacrifices, and lessons shared with their mothers — and celebrities are no exception. Speaking to The Daily Star, several stars opened up about the immense influence their mothers have had on both their personal and professional journeys.

My mother is my greatest inspiration: Rafiath Rashid Mithila

Actor and singer Rafiath Rashid Mithila spoke with deep admiration about her mother, describing her as an exceptionally hardworking and dedicated person.

“My mother is a teacher, and there is so much one can learn from her,” Mithila said. “She has done so much for me and for our entire family. On this special day, I want to express my deepest love and respect for her.”

She added that although she loves her mother every day, Mother’s Day makes that love feel even more profound.

“My passion for work, my dedication, and my ability to stay committed until I successfully complete something — I learned all of that from my mother,” she shared. “She is my inspiration. She is everything to me. Her contributions to my life are beyond words. A mother can only be compared to another mother.”

My mother taught me strength and independence: Tanzika Amin

Actress Tanzika Amin described her mother as one of the most important people in her life, crediting her for shaping both her career and personal values.

“My mother means so much to me,” she said. “From my career to my personal life, her contribution has been immense. She managed everything while working a full-time job. She would go to the office in the morning and then return home to take care of the family.”

Watching her mother balance responsibilities with resilience taught Tanzika valuable life lessons. “She always wanted me to become independent and self-reliant. She believed women should achieve things on their own and never depend entirely on others.”

Calling her mother “the best person” she has ever known, Tanzika also revealed how supportive her mother was when she entered the entertainment industry.

“I have come this far because of my mother’s love, prayers, and support,” she said. “There were difficult times in my life when I could have broken down completely, but my mother gave me courage. She stood beside me and reminded me that I was not alone. She never reacted with anger — only with love and strength. Everything I learned about resilience came from her.”

Seeing happiness in my mother’s eyes is priceless: Siam Ahmed

Popular actor Siam Ahmed reflected on how his mother always prioritised education and dreamed of seeing him build a strong academic career.

“My mother always wanted me to excel in my studies,” Siam said. “She studied at the University of Dhaka and completed master’s degrees in three subjects. At one point, she wanted me to become a chartered accountant.”

Inspired by his parents, both of whom studied at the University of Dhaka, Siam pursued higher education seriously and later studied law abroad.

However, acting was never part of his mother’s original plan for him.

“She wanted me to finish my education and establish a conventional career,” he explained. “Even though she did not initially want me to join showbiz, my journey eventually began there and continues to this day.”

The actor fondly recalled the moment he received his first National Film Award.

“That day, I saw pure joy and pride in my mother’s eyes,” he said. “Perhaps she finally felt that her son had achieved something meaningful. Now, when she sees the love I receive from people, it makes her happy. And as a son, being able to see happiness in my mother’s eyes is truly priceless.”

She has always been a selfless person: Chanchal Chowdhury

Chanchal Chowdhury is thankful to his mother for not just giving birth to him, but being the ultimate support of the family. “My mother would take care of everything in the family, as my father was a teacher and he would be busy with his job.”

As they were multiple siblings growing up together, he shared how his mother kept them all together with love, affection and the attention required. “My mother would give all her time for us, and she has always been a selfless person, and all she wanted for us is that we become good human beings. She is the greatest inspiration to me and she embodies the word ‘selflessness’. I cannot thank her enough for not only giving us life, but taking the best care of us at all times.”