Meesha Shafi

Meesha Shafi is a Pakistani-born Canadian singer, actress and model. She performs across multiple entertainment sectors in Pakistan and internationally.

Early life and education

Shafi was born in Lahore on 1 December 1981. Her mother is the actress Saba Hameed and her father is Syed Pervaiz Shafi. She completed her A Levels at Lahore Grammar School. In 2007, she graduated from the National College of Arts with a degree in fine arts. Her maternal grandfather, Hameed Akhtar, served as a novelist and newspaper columnist.

Career

Modelling

Shafi entered the modelling industry at age 17. She starred opposite Jawad Ahmed in the music video for "Bin Teray Kya Hai Jeena". In 2009, she became the brand ambassador for L'Oreal Paris Pakistan. Her work appears in international publications such as Vogue India and L'Officiel.

Acting

She made her television screen debut in 2006 with the serial Muhabbat Khawab Ki Soorat on Hum TV. In 2007, she appeared in the Geo TV serial Ye Zindagi To Woh Nahi. Shafi transitioned to film in 2012 with a role in Mira Nair's Hollywood production, The Reluctant Fundamentalist. She played the sister of the male lead in that film.

Her performance in the Pakistani film Waar earned her significant critical praise. She portrayed Laxmi, an operative for the Indian spy agency Research and Analysis Wing. In 2016, she took on a lead role in the costume drama Mor Mahal. Most recently, she appeared in the film Mustache, which premiered at the South by Southwest festival in 2023.

Music

Shafi began her singing career as a member of the band Overload alongside her husband. She left the band in 2011. She achieved massive success on Coke Studio Pakistan Season 3 with the song "Alif Allah (Jugni)" alongside Arif Lohar. This single garnered over 20 million views on YouTube.

She returned to Coke Studio in 2012 for Season 5 to perform "Ishq Aap Bhi Awalla". In 2014, she performed "Sun Ve Balori" with Ustad Tafu and the producers Strings. Shafi also contributed vocals to the film Moor in 2015 through the track 'EVA'. She later released 'Mehram Dilaan De Mahi' for the Manto biopic.

Television Judging

Shafi served as a judge on the talent show Cornetto Music Icons in 2013. She joined the judging panel for Pepsi Battle of the Bands in 2017. She continued to serve as a judge for Seasons 3 and 4 of that competition.

Personal life

Shafi married musician Mahmood Rahman in 2008. The couple has two children, a daughter named Janevi and a son named Kazimir. In 2016, she became a Canadian citizen. On 19 April 2018, Shafi made allegations of sexual harassment against singer Ali Zafar via Twitter.

This matter resulted in a high-profile legal battle involving defamation suits. Reported outcomes indicate the case was ruled in favor of Zafar on 31 March 2026. Shafi was ordered to pay Rs. 50 lakh in damages, though her legal team filed an appeal.

Awards and recognition

Shafi won the Best Supporting Actress award at the 2014 ARY Film Awards. This honor was for her role in the film Waar.