Actor Zaher Alvi has addressed the death of his wife, Afra Ibnath Khan Iqra, for the first time in a video message shared on his Facebook profile, responding to questions and rumours surrounding the tragedy.
Alvi described his relationship with Ikra as “toxic,” claiming that she had been suspicious from the start. He also addressed speculation about his whereabouts, his alleged relationship with actress Iffat Ara Tithi and other circulating gossip.
“I never intended to discuss this personal tragedy publicly,” Alvi said. “Since my wife is no longer with us, I felt there was no need for so much explanation. I have always wanted to keep matters of my family private.”
He admitted that Iqra’s death has left him traumatised. “I am not in a state to explain anything coherently. Her passing has devastated me to the point of feeling numb. But I feel people are judging the story after reading only one page. They cannot judge from a single side.”
Alvi, currently abroad, explained that he has not returned to Bangladesh due to threats against his life and fears of mob violence. “If I return, people at the airport will attack me. If the police arrest me, I will face it legally, but I am worried about my child. Do you want Rijik to lose his father too?” he said.
He also claimed that people close to Iqra influenced her negatively. Alvi recounted a 22-second video call with Iqra, during which she asked to see him one last time. He said he immediately contacted his personal assistant to check on her. When Iqra locked the door, their son Rizik called to her, but she did not respond.
Regarding Tithi, Alvi said their relationship is purely a friendship. He denied reports that he travelled to Nepal to celebrate Tithi’s birthday and stated that Iqra and Tithi had a positive relationship. He also rejected claims that he intended to divorce Iqra to marry Tithi, describing viral chat screenshots suggesting this as fake.
Iqra’s body was discovered at their Mirpur DOHS residence on February 28. On March 1, her family filed a murder case at Pallabi Police Station, naming Zaher Alvi as the primary accused. Alvi has stated that he intends to return to Bangladesh to face the case legally.
Zaher Alvi and Ikra married secretly on November 9, 2010. News of their marriage became public in 2024 and the couple has one son, Rijik.
