Sumaiya Rahaman Shimul (known as Sumaiya Shimu; born 30 April 1980)[2] is a Bangladeshi model, television actress and social activist.[3][4][5] She has been acting on television dramas since 1999.[6] She is the founder and chairman of a non-profit organization named 'Better Future for Women'.[7]
Early life and education
Shimu was born on 30 April 1980 in
Narail.[8][9] She earned her master's in government and political science from
Jahangirnagar University.[10] In 2017, she completed her PhD from the same university in the topic – “The artistic and socio – economic perspective of women in acting” from the department of drama.[11][12][13][14]
Career
Audiovisual media
Shimu debuted her television career through the drama Ekhane Ator Paoa Jai in1999.[15] Her drama Shopno Chura garnered significant audience attention in 2008.[16] She received the Meril Prothom Alo Award in the Best TV Actress (Popular) category for her performance in this drama in 2008.
This actress first came into the spotlight as a model for
Bappa Mazumdar's song "Pori". Her popularity soared with the Euro Orange advertisement.[8] She has only made one film appearance,
Bachelor.
Non-profit
In 2019, she established a non-profit organization called Better Future for Women, dedicated to providing educational, skill-building, and entrepreneurship opportunities, as well as essential healthcare services, to empower women for greater engagement in productive work.[17][18] In 2017, Relief International appointed Sumaiya Shimu as a goodwill ambassador.[19]
Personal life
On August 28, 2015, Shimu married Nazrul Islam, the country director of
Relief International, a USA based international non-governmental organization.[20][21] On 8 November 2023, she gave birth to twin boys in a private hospital in Dhaka.[22]