Rafiath Rashid Mithila biography is the story of one of Bangladesh's most extraordinary contemporary women — a celebrated actress, accomplished singer, dedicated development professional, and academic whose contributions extend far beyond the boundaries of entertainment.

Born on 25 May 1984 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Mithila — as she is professionally and popularly known — has built a career that defies easy categorisation. She is the Head of the Early Childhood Development programme at BRAC International, one of the world's largest development organisations, and in 2025 she earned her Doctor of Philosophy from the Université de Genève, Switzerland — a remarkable academic milestone that places her among the most educated public figures in Bangladeshi entertainment.

As an actress, Mithila has delivered powerful performances in Bangladeshi television dramas, OTT web series, and films, as well as in Tollywood productions in West Bengal, India. Her roles in films such as Amanush (2022), Mayaa (2023), and O Abhagi (2024) have earned her critical acclaim on both sides of the border, and she received the Best Actress award at the Bangladesh Achievers Award 2023 for her performance in the web series Myself Allen Swapan.

Mithila is a passionate advocate for children's rights, early childhood education, and gender equality. Her ability to balance a demanding artistic career with rigorous academic and humanitarian work makes her a truly unique and inspiring figure in South Asian public life.

👤 Profile at a Glance

Full Name Rafiath Rashid Mithila
Nickname Mithila
Date of Birth May 25, 1984
Age 42 years old
Birthplace Dhaka, Bangladesh
Nationality Bangladeshi
Profession Actress, Singer, Development Worker
Height 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Education PhD, Université de Genève (2025); MA in Early Childhood Development, BRAC University (Chancellor's Gold Medal)
Marital Status Married
Spouse / Partner Srijit Mukherji
Children 1
Net Worth $3 Million (2025)

🎓 Education

Mithila completed her schooling at Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, one of Dhaka's most prestigious educational institutions, laying a strong academic foundation from an early age.

She then enrolled at the University of Dhaka, where she earned both a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in Political Science — studying alongside then-fellow student Tahsan Rahman Khan.

Mithila went on to earn a second Master's degree in Early Childhood Development at BRAC University, where her exceptional academic performance was recognised with the Chancellor's Gold Medal. She also earned a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) from the National University of Bangladesh.

In 2010, she participated in advanced academic training in the United States, studying 'Contemporary Approaches to Curriculum: Instruction and Assessment' at the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota.

In 2025, Mithila achieved her most significant academic milestone, completing her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at the Université de Genève in Switzerland — a crowning achievement that reflects her lifelong commitment to learning and scholarship.

💼 Career

Mithila began her professional life as a model in 2002 while still a student at the University of Dhaka, working with the fashion house Neelanjana Palli. She quickly built a portfolio working in television commercials for leading brands including Meril, Bajaj, Close-up, and AKTEL.

Her acting career was formally launched in 2006 with the television drama Shunchen Ekjon Radio Jokeyr Golpo, and she rose to prominence with the drama series Housefull (2008), which became one of the most-watched productions of its era in Bangladesh.

Mithila simultaneously pursued her career in development work, joining BRAC International where she rose to lead the Early Childhood Development programme. In 2013, she served as brand ambassador for the BBC Janala campaign in Bangladesh, a nationally significant initiative that helped millions of Bangladeshis learn the English language.

Her film career gained significant momentum with the acclaimed Bangladeshi production Amanush (2022), followed by her Tollywood debut in Mayaa (2023) — an adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth — which marked her crossover into the Indian Bengali film industry. She followed this with O Abhagi (2024) and Jole Jwole Tara (2025).

Her web series performance in Myself Allen Swapan earned her the Best Actress award at the Bangladesh Achievers Award 2023, a major recognition of her dramatic range and screen presence.

Throughout her career, Mithila has also published academic research on early childhood education and development, with works appearing in the International Journal of Educational Development and other peer-reviewed publications, reinforcing her dual identity as both an artist and a serious scholar.

🏠 Personal Life

Mithila married singer-songwriter Tahsan Rahman Khan on 3 August 2006, having met him during their shared time as students at the University of Dhaka in 2004. The couple collaborated on several dramas and music projects before announcing their separation in 2017, citing the irreparable breakdown of the relationship. Their daughter, Ayra Tehreem Khan, was born on 30 April 2013.

On 6 December 2019, Mithila married acclaimed Indian film director Srijit Mukherji, in a ceremony that drew widespread attention and warm reception from audiences in both Bangladesh and West Bengal. The couple have maintained a loving and publicly visible relationship since.

Mithila has always prioritised Ayra's emotional wellbeing amid the family changes, maintaining an amicable co-parenting relationship with Tahsan. She has spoken openly about how Ayra addresses both her father Tahsan and stepfather Srijit with equal warmth and affection.

Beyond her professional life, Mithila is passionate about dance — having trained in Kathak, Manipuri, and Bharat Natyam — as well as painting, travelling, and cooking. She has exhibited oil paintings at Drik Gallery group exhibitions, illustrating the depth and breadth of her artistic sensibilities.

🏆 Achievements & Awards

  • Chancellor's Gold Medal, BRAC University, MA in Early Childhood Development
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Université de Genève, Switzerland (2025)
  • Best Actress Award, Bangladesh Achievers Award 2023 — Myself Allen Swapan
  • Head of Early Childhood Development, BRAC International (appointed April 2017)
  • BBC Janala Campaign Brand Ambassador, Bangladesh (2013)
  • Tollywood debut in Mayaa (2023), adapted from Shakespeare's Macbeth
  • Film credits: Amanush (2022), Mayaa (2023), O Abhagi (2024), Jole Jwole Tara (2025)
  • Academic publications in International Journal of Educational Development (2019, 2021)
  • Acting training at People's Theatre, Bangladesh as a child performer

💬 Notable Quotes

A child's early years are not preparation for life — they are life itself.

— Rafiath Rashid Mithila

I refuse to be defined by one thing. I am a mother, a scholar, an actress, and a woman — all at once.

— Rafiath Rashid Mithila

Art and education are the two greatest tools for changing the world, and I intend to use both.

— Rafiath Rashid Mithila

❓ People Also Ask

Rafiath Rashid Mithila is famous as one of Bangladesh's most versatile public figures — a celebrated actress known for Amanush (2022), Mayaa (2023), and O Abhagi (2024), a singer, the Head of Early Childhood Development at BRAC International, and a PhD holder from the Université de Genève.
Born on 25 May 1984, Rafiath Rashid Mithila is 41 years old as of April 2026.
Rafiath Rashid Mithila's net worth is estimated at approximately $3 million in 2025, accumulated through her long career in acting, modelling, brand endorsements, development work, and academic contributions.
Mithila is currently married to Indian film director Srijit Mukherji, whom she wed on 6 December 2019. She was previously married to singer Tahsan Rahman Khan from 2006 to 2017, with whom she has a daughter, Ayra Tehreem Khan.
Rafiath Rashid Mithila was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where she grew up, received her early education at Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, and later completed undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Dhaka.
Her biggest achievements include earning a PhD from the Université de Genève (2025), winning the Best Actress award at Bangladesh Achievers Award 2023, leading BRAC International's Early Childhood Development programme, and successfully crossing over into Tollywood with her role in Mayaa (2023).