Mahnaz Afshar (; born June 10, 1977) is an Iranian-born German actress. She began her acting career with the television series Gomshodeh in 1998 and entered cinema the following year with the film Doostan. In 2010, she won the Crystal Simorgh for Best Supporting Actress at the Fajr Film Festival for her role in Saadat Abad. She was nominated for the Crystal Simorgh for Best Actress for her performances in Darkoob (2017) and Ghasam (2018). She is currently banned from appearing on screen in Iran, left the country in 2019, and holds German citizenship.
Personal life Mahnaz Afshar was born on 11 June 1977 in Tehran, Iran to a family of Tabrizi Turkish descent. She earned a high school diploma in experimental sciences and studied editing for four years at a non-profit institute. Due to her family's religious inclinations, they initially opposed her acting career. She trained in acting under Hamid Samandarian.
In June 2014, Afshar married Yasin Ramin, son of Mohammad Ali Ramin, who served as Deputy Minister of Culture and Press during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s second presidential term. Their marriage ceremony was officiated by Seyyed Mohammad Khatami. In May 2015, Afshar and Ramin had a daughter named Liana. The couple divorced in 2019.
Professional career
Acting Afshar began her acting career with the television series Gomshodeh in 1998, followed by her cinematic debut in Doostan, directed by Ali Shah-Hatami, in the same year. She gained recognition with her role in Shoor-e Eshgh, directed by Nader Moghaddas, in 2000. Her resemblance to Googoosh contributed to her early fame and media attention. During the 2000s, Afshar became a prominent figure in Iran's commercial cinema. In the latter part of the decade, she sought to diversify her roles by working with varied directors, earning her several awards and recognitions from critics and reputable domestic festivals. In 2014, she played a leading role in the film Moallem, directed by theTajik filmmaker Naser Saeedov.
Producing In November 2012, Afshar produced a charity concert by Roozbeh Nematollahi at the Milad Tower Convention Center to aid earthquake victims in Azerbaijan. The event, attended by filmmakers, actors, and athletes, was named Daroog. Nematollahi performed songs including Ey Vatan, Toei Niazam, Agar Ye Rooz Biay Soragham, Tazehtarin Zakhm-e Delam, Bazamadeh-am, Gol-e Yas, Nafas Keshidan Sakhteh, Khalij-e Fars, and Khaak-e Vatanam.
Talent show judging In 2019, Afshar served as a judge on the television talent show Persia's Got Talent, which sparked varied reactions and discussions on social media.
Legal issues Mahnaz Afshar faces legal charges in Iran for supporting the Girls of Revolution Street and criticizing mandatory hijab laws, with accusations of encouraging corruption and immorality. Her advocacy for prisoners such as Yasaman Aryani and Mohammad Ali Taheri, as well as her opposition to child marriage, has drawn significant criticism from Iranian conservatives. She also faces open legal cases with charges including spreading falsehoods and propaganda against the state.
On 2 February 2026, Afshar boycotted the Fajr Film Festival in protest of the government's handling of the 2025–2026 Iranian protests.https://www.afkarnews.com/بخش-سیاسی-3/1367233-چرا-تحریم-جشنواره-فجر-شکست-خورد
Filmography
Film Year Title Role DirectorNotes1999 FriendsSara Ali Shah Hatami2000 The Young LionsLeila Mohsen Mohseni Nasab2001 The Passion of LoveSahar Nader Moghaddas Gray Bita Mehrdad Mir Fallah2002 Gem NedaAsghar Hashemi A Girl in CageNargesGhodratollah Solh Mirzayi2003 Poisonous HoneyShararehEbrahim Sheibani2004 ComaMaryamArash Moayerian13 Cats on the RoofLeilaAli Abdolalizadeh2005 Season Salad Mehr Angiz Fereydoun Jeyrani AquariumShirin Iraj Ghaderi2006Men at WorkSaharMani Haghighi Cease Fire Sayeh Tahmineh MilaniWho Killed Amir?MarjanMehdi KarampourTrapNazaninSirous Alvand2007 The TrialNegarIraj Ghaderi The Boss Tala Masoud Kimiai Kalagh ParSaraSharam Shah Hosseini2008 The Cast BackNasimReza Karimi Invitation Shaida Ebrahim Hatamikia Shirin Woman in audience Abbas Kiarostami Tonight is the Moonlight Night Sahar Hadi Karimi2009The Day Goes and the Night ComesFoujan RahaeiOmid Bonakdar, Keyvan Alimohammadi Poopak and Mash Mashallah Poopak Farzad Motamen2010 Pay Back Sara Tahmineh Milani MemoryParichehr Nader Tarighat Son of Adam, Daughter of Eve Mina Rambod JavanThe Third Floor Young LadyBijan Mirbagheri2011 Fairy TaleSarvin Fereydoun Jeyrani Felicity LandLalehMaziar Miri2012 A Simple Love Story Gandom Saman Moghaddam Wooden BridgeShirin Mehdi KarampourThe Snow on the PinesRoyaPayman Moaadi2013No Where, No BodySanazEbrahim Sheibani From Tehran to ParadiseGhazal Abolfazl Saffary Good to Be BackHouri Yasaman Dariush Mehrjui2014MetropoleKhatoonMasoud Kimiai Alien Sepideh Bahram Tavakoli Teacher Hedieh Naser Saeidaf2015 Sperm Whale Rouya Saman Moghaddam2016 A House on 41st Street Forough Hamidreza Ghorbani DelightedTina Abdolreza Kahani2017I Want to DanceMaryamBahman Farman AraGildaGildaOmid Bonakdar, Keyvan Alimohammadi2018Sperm Whale 2: Roya's SelectionRoyaSaman Moghaddam AxingNiloufar Behrouz ShoeibiPigHerselfMani HaghighiLos Angeles TehranAydaTina Pakrevan2019 The Agitation Darya Fereydoun Jeyrani Suddenly a Tree Mahtab Safi Yazdanian Oath Razia Mohsen Tanabandeh Hotel New Moon Noushin Takefumi TsutsuiKingslayer AydaVahid AmirkhaniBlue Like the Color of the SkyHerselfAmir Rafiee
Web YearTitleRoleDirectorPlatform2015Love is Not ClosedNafasBijan BirangVideo CD2016RomanceGisou BarazandehManouchehr Hadi2018GolshiftehRaheleh GolshiftehBehrouz ShoeibiFilimo
Television YearTitleRoleDirectorNotesNetwork1998LostSaharMasoud NavabiTV series IRIB TV12013Red HatHerselfIraj TahmasbTV programIRIB TV22020–presentPersia's Got TalentJudgeTalent showMBC Persia
References
External links
Official website