Meher Afroz Shaon
Bangladeshi actress, director and architect
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Meher Afroz Shaon (born 12 October 1981)[2] is a Bangladeshi architect, actress, director, dancer and playback singer. She won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for her performance in the film Krishnopokkho (2016).[3] She was the second wife of writer and director Humayun Ahmed.[4]
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Meher Afroz Shaon | |
|---|---|
মেহের আফরোজ শাওন | |
Shaon in 2020 | |
| Born | 12 October 1981 Chittagong District, Bangladesh[1] |
| Education | University of Asia Pacific |
| Occupations | architect, director, actress, singer, dancer |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Mother | Tahura Ali |
Early life
Shaon was born to Mohammad Ali, an engineer, and Tahura Ali,[5] who was a member of parliament from Constituency 319 of the 9th Bangladesh Parliament.[6]
Shaon studied at Viqarunnisa Noon School and College. She obtained a SSC and a HSC in 1996 and 1998 respectively. She also studied in BAF Shaheen College Dhaka.[7] She then enrolled at the University of Asia Pacific and received a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 2008.[8] Her country house is in Narundi of Jamalpur district.[1]
Career
Shaon was an enlisted artist of Bangladesh Television (BTV) and began her career acting as a child artist in BTV drama Swadhinota Amar Swadhinota in 1988. She started working with Humayun Ahmed in a drama named Jononee in 1991. She was in drama serial Nokkhotrer Raat in 1996 and Aaj Robibar in 1999. She appeared in Srabon Megher Din directed by Humayun Ahmed the same year.
Personal life
Shaon was married to Humayun Ahmed from 2004 until he died in 2012.[5][9] She has two sons - Nishad Humayun (born mid 2000s) and Ninith Humayun (born early 2010s).[10]
Criticism
Marriage controversy
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Shaon married Humayun Ahmed, a famous Bangladeshi writer and film director, and was criticized by Humayun's fans and readers. They blame Shawon for Humayun Ahmed's divorce with his first wife. Some claim that at the instigation of Shawon, Humayun Ahmed divorced his wife Gultekin and married his daughter's friend.[11] Humayun Ahmed's family members were against the marriage. The other side denied this. They claim that everyone has a personal life and everyone should be given that personal freedom.[12]
Detained controversy
Shaon was detained by the Detective Branch on 6 February 2025, on charges of sedition and alleged anti-state behaviour,[13][14][15] but she was later released the next day following interrogation.[16]
In April 2025, a murder case was filed against Shaon and 16 other actors over the death of a protester in Vatara during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement against the Awami League government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.[17]
Facebook post about the July Uprising and public reaction
In July 2026, a Facebook post by Meher Afroz Shaon regarding the July Uprising drew widespread discussion and criticism on social media. Following the post, a number of individuals and organisations criticised its content, and the matter was reported by several Bangladeshi news outlets.[18]
Subsequently, the organisation Manch 24 held a protest rally in front of the Bangladesh National Museum in Shahbagh, Dhaka. During the demonstration, participants symbolically threw shoes at a portrait of Shaon in protest against her Facebook post. The event was covered by Bangladeshi news media.[19][20] Professor Dilara Choudhury condemned Shaon for her comments and expressed her anger saying that "she is not worth being a human being". Dilara Choudhury further made an open request to the government to arrest Meher Afroz Shaon.[21]
Works
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Srabon Megher Din | Kusum | Humayun Ahmed | |
| 2001 | Dui Duari | Toru | Humayun Ahmed | |
| 2003 | Chandrokotha | Chandra | Humayun Ahmed | Won - Meril Prothom Alo Awards Critics Choice Awards for Best Film Actress |
| 2004 | Shyamol Chhaya | Ashalata | Humayun Ahmed | |
| 2008 | Amar Ache Jol | Nishat | Humayun Ahmed |
Television dramas
Actress
| Year | Title | Playwright and director | Airdate | Notes and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Swadhinota Amar Swadhinota | BTV | drama | |
| 1989 | Shuprobhat Dhaka | BTV | drama | |
| 1990 | Khowar | BTV | drama | |
| 1991 | Jononee | BTV | drama | |
| 1992 | Khadok | BTV | drama | |
| 1993 | Mohor Ali | BTV | serial drama | |
| 1995 | Nokkhotrer Raat | Humayun Ahmed | BTV | serial drama |
| 1995 | Onyoprishtha | BTV | drama | |
| 1997 | Sabuj Shathi | Humayun Ahmed | BTV | series drama |
| 1998 | Jonok | BTV | drama | |
| 1998 | Sabuj Chhaya | Humayun Ahmed | BTV | serial drama |
| 1999 | Aaj Robibar | Humayun Ahmed and Monir Hossain Jibon | BTV | serial drama |
| 2004 | Urey Jay Bok Pokkhi | Humayun Ahmed | NTV | serial drama |
Director
| Year | Title | Playwright | Channel | Notes and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Noya Riksha | TV drama, aired on Eid-Ul-Fitr | ||
| 2011 | Shopno o Shopnobhongo | Humayun Ahmed | Channel i | TV play, aired on Pahela Boishakh[22] |
| 2014 | Everest Joy | Chowdhury Khaekuzzaman | Aired on Eid-Ul-Fitr | |
| Osomoye | Chowdhury Khaekuzzaman | Aired on Eid-Ul-Fitr[23] | ||
| Bibhrom | Humayun Ahmed | Channel i | TV play, aired on Eid-Ul-Adha[24] | |
| 2016 | Krishnopokkho | Meher Afroz Shaon | Only feature film as a director | |
Beside directing several movies, Shaon also began to script some movies. As of March 2018, she was drafting scripts of Gouripur Junction and Nokkhotrer Raat.[25]
Television host
- Meghe Dhaka Tara on Maasranga Television[26]
