Who Is Taraneh Alidoosti? Iranian Actor, Who Supported Hijab Protests, Arrested

Taraneh Alidoosti is one of the few Iranian actors who have extended their support to the ongoing protests in the Islamic state. The actor is best known for her role in the 2016 Oscar-winning film "The Salesman."

Taraneh Alidoosti was detained on charges of "spreading falsehoods" about the protest movement that has gripped the country, state media said.

In an Instagram post last week, she condemned the execution of a man over his involvement with the protests. "His name was Mohsen Shekari. Every international organisation who is watching this bloodshed and not taking action, is a disgrace to humanity," she wrote.

According to a post on the state news agency IRNA's Telegram account, she was arrested by police for failing to provide "any documents in line with her claims".

Her Instagram account, which has more than eight million followers, was recently taken down.

As protests against the nation's strict dress code persisted, prominent Iranian actor Alidoosti published a selfie of herself without a headscarf on Thursday, according to the news agency AFP.

This story is noteworthy because Alidoosti is seen carrying a sign that read as "Jin. Jiyan. Azadi." which states AFP translated as  "Woman. Life. Freedom." The news has grabbed people's attention.

Who is Taraneh Alidoosti ?

The 38-year-old Alidoosti gained international recognition for her performance in the 2016 Oscar-winning film "The Salesman." Hamid Alidoosti, a former member of the national football team, is her father. She visited Amin Tarokh's acting school in 2000 and then began her acting career.

She began her acting career at the age of 17 after starring in Rasul Sadr Ameli's film I'm Taraneh, 15. Her portrayal of a defiant 15-year-old girl who, after a failed romance, is determined to raise a child on her own while battling poverty and societal shame was highly appreciated by critics.

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Her Achievements

She is the youngest person to be awarded the Crystal Simorgh for Best Actress from the 20th Fajr Film Festival and the Bronze Leopard for Best Actress from the Locarno International Film Festival in 2002.

Soon after, she broke another record by being nominated for the Fajr Film Festival's best actress award three times in a row for her early three projects. Since then, she has continued to work steadily but selectively in both theatre and cinema.

Her Works

Shahrzad, a popular Iranian television series, had Alidoosti in the titular role throughout all three seasons.

Alidoosti, who speaks both English and German fluently, has also translated Alice Munro and Nicole Krauss works from English to Persian.