Set during the pandemic, Joya and Sharmin tells the story of two women from very different social and economic backgrounds who, due to COVID-19, end up locked in the same room. Their unusual relationship becomes the film’s central theme. In the movie, Jaya Ahsan plays “Joya” herself—a woman living alone. How much of the character is drawn from her real life remains a mystery.
After its May release, Jaya’s performance earned widespread praise. At the time, no one knew this was only the beginning of a series of surprises from the actress, as she went on to appear in thrillers, dramas, and literary adaptations in quick succession.
In early June, Jaya made a double impact during Eid with Tandob by Raihan Rafi and Utsob by Tanim Noor. Tandob marked her return to a full-scale commercial film after years away from the genre and reunited her with Shakib Khan on screen after nearly a decade. Playing journalist Sayra, Jaya delivered a powerhouse performance—balancing vulnerability, courage, and charisma—adding depth even though she wasn’t the lead heroine.
In Utsob, she appeared as a ghost—briefly, but memorably—showcasing her ability to poke fun at herself. The fact that she embraced such an unconventional role, despite being one of the industry’s top stars, earned her special appreciation.
Then came another first—despite her diverse roles in both Bangladesh and India, she had never played a mother. That changed with Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury’s Dear Maa, released in July. Critics in Kolkata hailed it as one of the best Bengali films of the year. Anandabazar Patrika praised her transformation from an ambitious careerist to a wife seeking life beyond domestic routines, and finally into a lonely mother clinging to her daughter, noting that Jaya surpassed herself with each shift in role.
On August 1, audiences finally saw her as Kusum in Putulnacher Itikotha, Suman Mukhopadhyay’s long-awaited adaptation of the Manik Bandopadhyay classic. Jaya had described Kusum as an open-hearted and spirited character with the strength to challenge Shashi’s worldview. Despite filming long ago, the role had stayed with her. Since the release, both the film and her portrayal have been receiving glowing reviews.
“The Response Has Been Incredible”
Asked which of the five roles was most challenging, Jaya explained:
“Honestly, our job is to step into different lives over and over again. Each of these characters had distinct lifestyles and philosophies, and I enjoyed that variety. Kusum was unique because she’s such a widely read literary figure. People already had an image of her in their minds, so I had to make her feel believable and fresh. The feedback so far has been amazing.”
Which Role Is Her Favorite?
When asked to choose, she laughed:
“It’s like asking which child is your favorite—impossible! Joya and Sharmin was my first time playing myself, Tandob was my return to commercial cinema, Utsob’s ghost was a completely new experience, Dear Maa’s Brinda is far removed from my own personality, and Kusum from Putulnacher Itikotha is deeply close to my heart—and to anyone who loves Bengali literature. Each role was a wonderful journey, so I can’t pick one.”
Earlier in the year, Jaya appeared in a segment of Nuhash Humayun’s 26 and in Ashfaque Nipun’s Eid-ul-Fitr series Jimmi. From May onward, she delivered five films back-to-back—a coincidence, she says:
“We work and wait. Sometimes projects take time to come, and sometimes they arrive all at once. From Jimmi’s Runa Laila to Kusum in Putulnacher Itikotha, each character was different.”
A ‘Gift’ to the Audience
Speaking about Utsob, Jaya revealed the ghostly self-mockery idea was partly her own:
“Remember when audiences trolled me for Purnodoirgho Prem Kahini 2? Our viewers are great at trolling—they focus more on a project’s weaker points than its strengths. This time, I decided to gift them their own joke back. I hope they stop now.”
