Once known for her lavish birthday bashes, Pori Moni is embracing a quieter celebration as she prepares to turn a year older on 24 October.
Leaving behind the grand festivities that once defined her special day, the actress has named her gathering ‘Shiuli Shondha’ and says she now wants peace, genuine friendships and work that will outlive her.
In an exclusive interview with TIMES, Pori Moni said her priorities have changed. Her children and career now come first, while she hopes to make a lasting mark through her work.
“I see life anew every year. I live it anew, too. I look for peace and happiness in my work and among my loved ones,” she said.
“This year, I have only one wish: peace. I also want to free myself from fake people and fake friendships. I would rather have fewer friends, as long as they are genuine,” she added.
The name ‘Shiuli Shondha’ has sparked curiosity, particularly after Pori Moni posted a picture on Facebook on 23 October captioned ‘Shiuli khujte jai’ (Going in search of shiuli flowers). The post and the name of her gathering appear to be connected, raising questions about whether she has something more to reveal. The actress has hinted that there may be another announcement but has left fans waiting for now. Whether she has a surprise in store remains to be seen.
Behind her changing relationship with celebrations lies a deeply personal loss. Since the death of her maternal grandfather, whom she affectionately called ‘Nanabhai’, Pori Moni has stopped cutting birthday cakes.
“I always cut my birthday cake holding Nanabhai’s hand,” she recalled. The tradition made the occasion special, and his absence has changed how she marks it.
Rather than an elaborate bash, she plans to bring relatives, close friends and colleagues together to talk and spend time with one another.
Her ambitions extend beyond the present. She wants to take on meaningful projects that will keep her memory alive long after she is gone.
“I want to do such good work that, when I am no longer here, I can continue to live through my work,” she said.
She also hopes her children will grow up to become good human beings.
For an actress once synonymous with extravagant parties, the shift is striking. With ‘Shiuli Shondha’, Pori Moni appears to be trading spectacle for sincerity, choosing the people who matter and the legacy she hopes to leave behind.
