Meher Afroz Shaon

Early life Shaon was born to Mohammad Ali, an engineer, and Tahura Ali, who was a member of parliament from Constituency 319 of the 9th Bangladesh Parliament.

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. She then enrolled at the University of Asia Pacific and received a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 2008. Her country house is in Narundi of Jamalpur district.

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. She has two sons - Nishad Humayun (born mid 2000s) and Ninith Humayun (born early 2010s).

Criticism

Marriage controversy Shaon receives National Film Awards from Hasan Mahmud in 2021. 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. 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.

Detained controversy Shaon was detained by the Detective Branch on 6 February 2025, on charges of sedition and alleged anti-state behaviour, but she was later released the next day following interrogation.

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.

Facebook post about the July Uprising and public reaction

Participants in a protest organised by Manch 24 symbolically throwing shoes at a portrait of Meher Afroz Shaon in Shahbagh, July 2026.

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.

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. 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.

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

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 2014 Everest Joy Chowdhury Khaekuzzaman Aired on Eid-Ul-Fitr Osomoye Chowdhury Khaekuzzaman Aired on Eid-Ul-Fitr Bibhrom Humayun Ahmed Channel i TV play, aired on Eid-Ul-Adha 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.

Television host Meghe Dhaka Tara on Maasranga Television

Discography Solo Na Manushi Bone

Singles Ilshe Guri

Duet Je Thake Akhi Pollobe

Film scores Srabon Megher Din Dui Duari Chandrokotha Shyamol Chhaya Noy Number Bipod Sanket Amar Ache Jol Krishnopokkho Pita