Popular actor Jaya Ahsan celebrates her birthday today, but one familiar tradition has long disappeared from the occasion.
The acclaimed star of Bangladesh and West Bengal stopped cutting birthday cakes after the 2016 Holey Artisan attack. Since then, she has chosen to observe the day in a quieter and more meaningful way.
Jaya once celebrated her birthday with family, friends and cake-cutting. However, the Holey Artisan tragedy changed her outlook. Since then, she has stayed away from personal birthday celebrations centred on cakes.
The cakes she receives from fans and well-wishers never go to waste. She shares most of them with the security guards of her building and people living nearby. For years, she has also spent part of her birthday feeding stray dogs. She follows the same tradition on the birthdays of her family members.
Known for her powerful performances and understated elegance, Jaya has established herself as one of the most accomplished actors of her generation. Her work in both Bangladesh and West Bengal has earned critical acclaim and commercial success, making her one of the few artists to enjoy equal popularity on both sides of the border.
Born in Gopalganj, Jaya is the daughter of freedom fighter A S Masud and teacher Rehana Masud. She developed a passion for dance, music and painting from an early age. Before entering films, she remained actively involved in cultural activities and also founded a music school.
Jaya married model and actor Faisal Ahsan in 1998. Their marriage ended in divorce in 2011. She continued to focus on her career and built a strong identity through a series of acclaimed performances.
She made her big-screen debut with Bachelor in 2004. Her portrayal of Bilkis Banu in Guerrilla later brought her widespread recognition and national acclaim. In 2013, she received an invitation to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.
Alongside her acting career, Jaya has remained engaged in social causes. After appearing in the television drama Enechi Surjer Hashi, she served as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations’ women and children support programme.
With her versatility, dedication and ability to reinvent herself, Jaya Ahsan has become one of the defining faces of Bangla cinema across both Bengals. She has won five National Film Awards, three Filmfare Awards and numerous other honours during her career.
As she celebrates another birthday, Jaya continues to inspire audiences not only through her performances but also through the quiet compassion that has come to define the way she marks her special day.
