Nusrat Jahan Ruhi, born in Kolkata, West Bengal, on January 8, 1990, has established a multifaceted career as a prominent actress, producer, and former politician. Coming from a Bengali Muslim family, she began her journey in the public eye after winning the “Fair One Miss Kolkata” beauty pageant in 2010.
Her acting debut came in 2011 with the Bengali film “Shotru,” which was a major success. Since then, she has become one of the most recognised and highest-paid actresses in Bengali cinema. Her notable filmography includes hits like “Khoka 420” (2013), “Khiladi” (2013), and the mystery film “Har Har Byomkesh” (2015). She also showcased her versatility in films like “Asur” (2020) and “SOS Kolkata” (2020). Beyond acting, Nusrat has been featured in popular item songs like “Chicken Tandoori” and “Desi Chhori.” In 2023, she expanded her career into production, co-founding YD Films with actor Yash Dasgupta. Their first production, “Mentaaal,” features both of them in lead roles.
In 2019, Nusrat Jahan entered politics, successfully contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the Basirhat constituency on an All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) ticket. She secured a significant victory, winning with a margin of 350,369 votes against her opponent from the BJP. However, her parliamentary performance, according to PRS Legislative Research, showed a low attendance rate of 23% compared to the national average of 79%. Despite this, she actively participated in 12 debates and asked 147 questions on various topics, including airfare, railway safety, farmer suicides, and minority institutions. She was not given a ticket by the Trinamool Congress for the 2024 elections.
Nusrat Jahan’s personal life has often been a subject of public scrutiny. She married businessman Nikhil Jain in 2019 but later separated in 2021, claiming the marriage was legally invalid in India. She is now in a relationship with actor Yash Dasgupta, and they have a son named Yishaan. Nusrat has received several honours for her contributions, including the prestigious Mahanayika Award from the West Bengal government in 2022 and the Youth Icon Award in 2021. She is widely regarded as a trailblazer, being the first actress from a Muslim family to achieve leading-lady status in mainstream Bengali cinema. As of 2025, she remains an active figure in the film industry, with upcoming projects and continued involvement in her production company.