Meher Afroz Shaon

{{short description|Bangladeshi actress, director and architect}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Meher Afroz Shaon

| image = Meher Afroz Shaon (12) (cropped).jpg

| caption = Shaon in 2018

| native_name = মেহের আফরোজ শাওন

| native_name_lang = bn

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1981|10|12|df=y}}

| birth_place = Chittagong, Bangladesh

| nationality = Bangladeshi

| citizenship = Bangladesh

| alma_mater = University of Asia Pacific

| occupation = Director, actress, singer, dancer

| years_active = 1988–present

| spouse = {{marriage|Humayun Ahmed|2004|2012|end=his death}}

| children = Nishad Humayun
Ninith Humayun

| mother = Tahura Ali

| father = Mohammad Ali

}}

Meher Afroz Shaon (born 12 October 1981){{Cite web |title=৪ অভিনেত্রীর জন্মদিন আজ |url=https://www.jugantor.com/entertainment/354188/৪-অভিনেত্রীর-জন্মদিন-আজ |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=www.jugantor.com |language=bn|date=2020-10-12}} is a Bangladeshi 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).{{Cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/national-film-award-winners-announced-1558849 |title=National Film Award winners announced |date=2018-04-06 |work=The Daily Star |access-date=2018-05-25 |language=en}} She was the second wife of writer and director Humayun Ahmed.{{cite news |url=http://www.priyo.com/2015/01/23/129351.html |script-title=bn:হুমায়ূন আহমেদ ও শাওনের বিয়ের অদেখা একটি ছবি! |trans-title=A Photo of Humayun Ahmed and Shaon's Marriage |newspaper=Priyo News |language=bn |date=January 23, 2015 |access-date=2015-11-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125225241/http://www.priyo.com/2015/01/23/129351.html |archive-date=2015-01-25}}

Early life

Shaon was born to Mohammad Ali, an engineer, and Tahura Ali,{{Cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/homage-to-humayun-at-nuhash-palli |title=Homage to Humayun at Nuhash Palli |date=2013-07-20 |work=The Daily Star |language=en |access-date=2019-02-24}} who was a member of parliament from Constituency 319 of the 9th Bangladesh Parliament.{{cite news |url=http://www.parliament.gov.bd/index.php/en/about-parliament/110-mps-category/mps-of-9th-parliament/1222-constituency-319 |publisher=Government of Bangladesh |access-date=2015-11-09 |title=Constituency 319 |archive-date=2016-09-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919063602/http://www.parliament.gov.bd/index.php/en/about-parliament/110-mps-category/mps-of-9th-parliament/1222-constituency-319 |url-status=dead }}

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.{{cite news |title=BAF Shaheen College reunion held |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/city/baf-shaheen-college-reunion-held-1510387 |work=The Daily Star |date=26 December 2017 |language=en |access-date=1 June 2024 |archive-date=28 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928230451/https://www.thedailystar.net/city/baf-shaheen-college-reunion-held-1510387 |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web |title=চল্লিশে পা দেয়া আমি অনেক কিছু হারিয়েছি |url=https://thedailycampus.com/other-world/55637/%25E0%25A6%259A%25E0%25A6%25B2%25E0%25A7%258D%25E0%25A6%25B2%25E0%25A6%25BF%25E0%25A6%25B6%25E0%25A7%2587-%25E0%25A6%25AA%25E0%25A6%25BE-%25E0%25A6%25A6%25E0%25A7%2587%25E0%25A7%259F%25E0%25A6%25BE-%25E0%25A6%2586%25E0%25A6%25AE%25E0%25A6%25BF-%25E0%25A6%2585%25E0%25A6%25A8%25E0%25A7%2587%25E0%25A6%2595-%25E0%25A6%2595%25E0%25A6%25BF%25E0%25A6%259B%25E0%25A7%2581-%25E0%25A6%25B9%25E0%25A6%25BE%25E0%25A6%25B0%25E0%25A6%25BF%25E0%25A7%259F%25E0%25A7%2587%25E0%25A6%259B%25E0%25A6%25BF |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=thedailycampus.com |language=bn}}

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 his death in 2012.{{cite web | url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-242931 | title=Humayun Ahmed's death mourned | date=21 July 2012 }} She has two sons - Nishad Humayun and Ninith Humayun.{{Cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/arts-entertainment/shaon-seeks-help-establish-cancer-hospital-116155 |title=Shaon seeks help to establish cancer hospital |date=2015-07-25 |work=The Daily Star |language=en |access-date=2019-02-24}}

Criticism

= Marriage Controversy =

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. They claim that at the instigation of Shawon, Humayun Ahmed divorced his wife Gultekin and married his daughter's friend.{{cite web|url=https://onushondhantv.com/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%81%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%93%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AA/|title=সংসার বাঁচাতে শাওনের পায়ে পর্যন্ত পড়েছে গুলতেকিন,শাওন কথা শোনেনি|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123004547/https://onushondhantv.com/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%81%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%93%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AA/|archive-date=23 November 2023}} 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.{{cite web | url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-243391 | title=Pain and the remnants of love | date=25 July 2012 }}

= Detained Controversy =

She was detained by the Detective Branch on 6 February 2025, on charges of sedition and alleged anti-state behaviour,{{Cite web |date=2025-02-06 |title=Now, DB says Meher Afroz Shaon picked up for questioning |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/now-db-says-meher-afroz-shaon-picked-questioning-3817816 |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Actor Meher Afroz Shaon detained |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/372997/actor-meher-afroz-shaon-arrested |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=Dhaka Tribune |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-02-06 |title=DB now says Shaon taken into custody for questioning, not arrested |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/db-arrests-meher-afroz-shaon-sedition-charge-1062701 |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=The Business Standard |language=en}} but she was later released the next day following interrogation.{{cite web |date=7 February 2025 |title=Shaon, Saba released after interrogation |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/jry9279yb0 |website=Prothom Alo}}

Works

= Filmography =

Year ! Title ! Role ! Director ! Notes and source
class="wikitable"
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
class="wikitable"
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
class="wikitable"
2009	Noya Riksha			TV drama, aired on Eid-Ul-Fitr
2011	Shopno o Shopnobhongo	Humayun Ahmed	Channel i	TV play, aired on Pahela Boishakh{{cite news \|url=http://archive.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2010-03-28/news/145982 \|script-title=bn:দুই বছর পর পরিচালনায় শাওন \|newspaper=Prothom Alo \|date=April 11, 2011 \|language=bn \|access-date=2015-11-09 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018050649/http://archive.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2010-03-28/news/145982 \|archive-date=2020-10-18}}
rowspan="3" \|2014	Everest Joy	Chowdhury Khaekuzzaman		Aired on Eid-Ul-Fitr
Osomoye	Chowdhury Khaekuzzaman		Aired on Eid-Ul-Fitr{{cite news \|url=http://www.priyo.com/2014/07/05/83138.html \|script-title=bn:দীর্ঘ বিরতির পর ফিরছেন শাওন, তাও আবার আইটেম গান দিয়ে! \|newspaper=Priyo News \|date=July 5, 2014 \|language=bn \|access-date=2015-11-09 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708001306/http://www.priyo.com/2014/07/05/83138.html \|archive-date=2014-07-08}}
Bibhrom	Humayun Ahmed	Channel i	TV play, aired on Eid-Ul-Adha{{cite news \|url=http://www.priyo.com/2014/10/05/111473.html \|script-title=bn:ঈদে হুমায়ূন আহমেদের নাটক ও টেলিফিল্ম \|newspaper=Priyo News \|date=October 5, 2014 \|language=bn \|access-date=2015-11-09 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017210229/https://www.priyo.com/i/%E0%A6%88%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%82%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%93-%E0%A6%9F%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AE \|archive-date=2021-10-17}}
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.{{cite news |title=More movies on the way |url=http://en.prothomalo.com/entertainment/news/172351/More-movies-on-the-way |access-date=2018-03-10 |publisher=Prothom Alo |language=bn}}

== Television host ==

Meghe Dhaka Tara on Maasranga Television{{cite news |url=http://www.priyo.com/2013/11/21/41796.html |script-title=bn:প্রতিযোগীদের সঙ্গে নাচলেন বিচারক শাওন |newspaper=Priyo News |date=November 21, 2013 |language=bn |access-date=2015-11-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131124071035/http://www.priyo.com/2013/11/21/41796.html |archive-date=2013-11-24}}

Discography

=Solo=

Na Manushi Bone{{cite news |author=Rajib Kanti Roy |date=July 18, 2020 |title=Humayun Ahmed and his taste of music |url=https://www.daily-sun.com/post/494489/Humayun-Ahmed-andhis-taste-of-music |work=Daily Sun}}

==Singles==

Ilshe Guri{{Cite web |script-title=bn:ইলশেগুঁড়ি - Meher Afroz Shaon - Nachiketa |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5rOpgc5xe8 |publisher=Dhruba Music Station |language=bn |via=YouTube | date=22 April 2019 }}

=Duet=

Je Thake Akhi Pollobe

==Singles==

Juboti Radhey{{Cite web |title=IPDC আমাদের গান II Meher Afroz Shaon | date=20 October 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpzbNVD7L3M&list=TLPQMjkxMDIwMjCXcCNMjKlBwg&index=1 |publisher=IPDC আমাদের গান |language=bn |via=YouTube}}{{Cite web |title=IPDC আমাদের গান II Chanchal Chowdhury | date=20 October 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q8kY84tPCg |publisher=IPDC আমাদের গান |language=bn |via=YouTube}}