Three stars reflect on the women who shaped their lives and careers

As the world celebrates International Mother's Day today, three stars have expressed heartfelt tributes to their mothers- the unsung heroines behind their journeys. 

In conversations with The Daily Star, actors Sumaiya Shimu, Shajal, and Tama Mirza opened up about the invaluable roles their mothers played in shaping not only their careers but also their lives.

Sumaiya Shimu: "I owe it all to my mother."
For seasoned actress Sumaiya Shimu, her mother's influence extends beyond the spotlight. "My mother played the biggest role in both my academic and showbiz life. While my father also supported me, it was my mother who completely stood by me," she said.

Shimu recalled how her mother accompanied her to early shoots and supported her cultural pursuits from childhood. "I couldn't have started acting without her. In fact, many of our mothers came to sets in those days. It's impossible to measure her contribution in words."

Having been honoured alongside her mother on Mother's Day this year, Shimu added, "Whatever love and respect I receive today from people, it's because of her. I dedicate this day to my mother and all mothers."

Shajal: "If it weren't for her, I wouldn't be here."
Actor Shajal also credits his mother with giving him the chance to pursue his dreams. "My father didn't want me to work in showbiz. It was my sister and my mother who convinced him," he shared. "At first, my father put restrictions. I was only allowed to do a limited number of projects. But my mother made all the arrangements behind the scenes for me to at least start."

Even now, his mother stays up until he returns home. "I've often missed family events due to work. She handles everything. When I was sick as a child, it was my mother who never left my side. She truly is above everybody."

Tama Mirza: "My mother is my strength."
Award-winning actress Tama Mirza describes her mother as her partner in success. "Whenever I win something, my mother is happier than I am," she said. "She's been with me from the beginning and always will be."

Calling her "Ammu," Tama fondly recalled winter nights shooting ads in Gazipur after long film shoots. "I told her to sleep, but she stayed up with me. That's what mothers do- they share your burdens without a question," she said.

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Tama also shared how her mother's unwavering belief in her, even during career slumps, gave her the strength to persevere. "She would always say, 'You can do it.' That one sentence carried me through difficult times."

As Bangladesh joins the rest of the world in celebrating mothers today, the stories of Shimu, Shajal, and Tama serve as powerful reminders of the irreplaceable role mothers play- on and off screen.