Lagatar24 Desk
Kolkata: In a tragic incident amid the massive unrest in Bangladesh, popular Bangladeshi actor Shanto Khan and his father, Selim Khan, were lynched by a mob on Monday night. The news, reported by PTI, has sent shockwaves through the film industry and left many in disbelief.
Selim Khan, who owned a renowned Bangladeshi production house, was also an expelled leader of the Awami League, the supporters of which have been facing relentless attacks in recent weeks amid violent anti-government demonstrations. There is no confirmed reason behind the brutal killings of the father-son duo, but the political tensions in the country are believed to be a contributing factor.
The lynching occurred on the same day that Sheikh Hasina, the party’s chief and former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, resigned and fled to India with her sister amid escalating violence. This wave of violence has already claimed over 400 lives and shows no signs of abating.
The news of Shanto Khan’s death has deeply affected the Kolkata film industry. Many Tollywood actors expressed their grief and shock. Popular actor Rajatabha Dutta, who worked with Shanto Khan in the 2022 Bangladeshi film “Bikkhov” (Resentment), said, “I was stunned after hearing the news that he and his father were killed. We don’t know the circumstances leading to their deaths. It saddens my heart to learn they were killed. Artists like us who thrive on art and creativity always yearn for peace, amity, and brotherhood.”
Shanto Khan, who debuted with “Prem Chor” in 2019, had a promising career with notable works in “Piye Re” (2021), “Bubujaan” (2023), and “Anto Nagar” (2024). He also played a young Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the 2021 film “Tungiparar Miya Bhai,” a role that connected him to the historical and political legacy of Bangladesh.
As Bangladesh continues to grapple with turmoil, which began as protests over government job quotas but have since morphed into widespread anti-government demonstrations, the situation remains dire. Sheikh Hasina’s dramatic escape to India, facilitated by a military aircraft, has added to the nation’s instability. She currently remains hidden in India, with security agencies preparing to seek asylum for her in a European nation.
In the wake of these events, Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus is set to take oath as the chief adviser of the interim government on Thursday evening. Yunus, who was en route to Dhaka from Paris for a medical procedure, was chosen by the protesting students to lead the country. Following his acceptance, Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved Parliament and appointed Yunus as the head of the interim government.
The ongoing crisis in Bangladesh highlights the urgent need for stability and reconciliation in a country torn by political strife and violence.
