Pori Moni announces new film as actress turns 34
Actress Pori Moni has revealed that a woman sent her shiuli flowers by plane from Chattogram for her 34th birthday, clearing up speculation about the sender after actor and director Shahriar Nazim Joy jokingly questioned who had arranged the unusual gift.
Pori Moni spoke about receiving the flowers at her birthday celebration on Saturday night, October 24 , but did not initially disclose the sender’s identity. The gesture sparked curiosity on social media throughout Sunday, with Joy joining the discussion through a humorous Facebook post.
Days before her birthday, Pori Moni had posted on Facebook asking for two maunds of shiuli flowers by noon on October 24. A woman from Chattogram responded by arranging for the flowers to be flown to Dhaka.
“I had shiuli flowers in mind for everything. I also posted on Facebook asking someone to bring me lots of shiuli flowers. But that is actually not possible. These flowers cannot even stay fresh for four or five hours. But someone sent me shiuli flowers from Chattogram by plane,” Pori Moni said at the event.
The actress celebrated her birthday at a restaurant in the Purbachal Expressway area of Dhaka, surrounded by close friends, colleagues and journalists. Shiuli flowers featured throughout the arrangements, including decorations on the restaurant’s staircase. Pori Moni also wore a sari featuring shiuli flower designs.
She had hoped to transform the venue into a shiuli flower garden, but the flowers’ short lifespan made it difficult to use them throughout the arrangements. She carried the theme into her outfit instead.
As news of the flowers spread, Joy posted a tongue-in-cheek message on Facebook suggesting that the wives of wealthy families in Chattogram might be worried about which husband had sent such an elaborate gift to the actress.
He joked that people might try to identify the sender and bring him before the media, adding that he hoped the person would not be caught. Referring humorously to his own experience, Joy said he had also given shiuli flowers to people without getting caught.
“One sinner will support another sinner. That is only natural,” he wrote.
Joy also praised Pori Moni, describing her as one of the popular actresses of the current generation who considers the film industry her own community and values its people beyond promotional events and press conferences. He ended the post by wishing her a happy birthday.
In a comment on Joy’s post, Pori Moni clarified that the flowers had been sent by a woman, not a man. She did not reveal the woman’s name or further details about her identity.
The birthday celebration also brought news of Pori Moni’s upcoming film, Farzana, directed by Tarek Rahman. The actress said most of the film’s shooting had been completed, although some work remained.
“I have a surprise for my birthday. I thought you would ask me about this, so I came prepared with an answer. I felt this was a good time to talk about work as well,” she said.
Pori Moni added that the film’s look had been finalised six months earlier, although the production had faced various challenges.
Director Tarek Rahman, who attended the event, said Pori Moni would portray a woman struggling through difficult circumstances.
“We are about to begin a beautiful journey. Pori Moni’s character is that of a struggling woman. I hope this journey will be a good one. You will discover a new Pori Moni,” he said.
The actress also thanked her fans, well-wishers and colleagues for their continued support, saying she hoped to return their affection through her work.
“I am grateful for the love everyone has given me, for standing by me and blessing me from the very beginning. In return for that love, I have nothing to offer except good work. Please pray that I can continue to do that,” she said.