Jafrien Shaj wants people to recognise her through her work

New faces constantly emerge in the showbiz industry. Among the crowd, some stand out with their dreams, hard work and determination. Budding model and actress Jafrien Shaj is one such talent. Her goal is simple: to establish herself as a skilled and audience-loved actress.

Jafrien Shaj's acting journey began in 2016 when she was a ninth-grade student. She first faced the camera in the film 'Swapna Dekhe Mon', directed by Juvel Farsi. She had been interested in acting since childhood but had to take a break of about five years to focus on her studies.

After the break, Shaj returned to showbiz with renewed energy and began working regularly on YouTube and television. So far, she has worked in around 40 single-episode and serial dramas, one web series and four music videos. She has also been seen in two solo dramas. Several of her dramas have been aired on popular television channels including Channel i, Asian TV and BTV.

Sharing her dream about acting, Shaj said, "I want to see myself much higher five years from now. I want people to recognise me through my work. I want to reach a place where people see me and say, 'There goes Saj.' Just being on screen is not enough; I want my acting to leave a mark on people's hearts."

"I want to work on good stories and strong characters. I am preparing myself constantly. I believe that with hard work and patience, one can surely create their own place," she added.

Alongside acting, Shaj has also showcased her skills in modelling. She participated in the 'Mr and Miss Glamour Looks Season-5' competition, where she made it to the top ten among nearly 350 contestants. "This was a very important stage for me. I learned a lot about speech, acting, expression and movement, and also how to present myself better," she said.

Though her ancestral home is in Cumilla, she grew up and studied in Old Dhaka. The culture and real-life experiences there have shaped her personality and thinking.

Shaj has signed for two films: 'Swapna Dekhe Mon' and 'Ontor Majhi'. Shooting for both will begin soon, she said.

For newcomers, Shaj said from her experience, "I was once new too. I had to struggle a lot to get here. The beginning was not easy. But you learn by doing. No one becomes perfect overnight. Those who want to work in this industry must learn dance and acting. Preparing yourself is very important. You need patience, willingness to learn and belief in yourself."