By playing strong, independent characters, she contributed to shifting the portrayal of women in films. She has been involved in conversations about social freedoms, women’s issues, censorship, and artistic independence. Even outside, her posts and interviews attract attention for highlighting the experiences of artists navigating political and cultural restrictions. Despite these controversies, she remains one of the most followed actresses on social media, demonstrating her ongoing relevance and public interest.
Her advocacy has contributed to her image as an artist who extends her influence beyond the screen. Mahnaz Afshar has often emphasized that acting, for her, is not simply a profession but a medium for emotional connection and a channel to reflect societal realities. She prefers roles with emotional weight and human depth over superficial characters, even though she started her career with more commercial roles. She is known to study the social background, psychology, and behavior of her characters in detail—especially when playing women facing social constraints or internal conflict.

