The recent lynching of Bangladeshi actor Shanto Khan and his father, producer Selim Khan, has left Kolkata in shock. The tragic incident occurred on Monday in Chandpur, Bangladesh, and has garnered widespread attention.
Selim Khan, the proprietor and director of Shapla Media, had been involved in numerous Tollywood projects, including the unreleased film ‘Commando’ starring Dev. He was also known for directing ‘Tungi Parar Miya Bhai,’ a film about Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Selim had approximately ten films in various stages of production, working with several prominent Tollywood stars. His production company was behind successful films like ‘Ami Neta Hobo’ and ‘Bikkhov,’ featuring actors such as Shakib Khan and Srabanti Chatterjee.
According to a report by The Daily Star, the violence erupted after Selim and Shanto tried to flee their village amidst the escalating unrest following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. The pair initially escaped to Farakkabad Bazar in Balia Union but were eventually caught and killed by an angry mob in Bagarabazar.Officer-in-Charge Sheikh Mohsin Alam of Chandpur Sadar Police Station confirmed the incident details.
Arindam Das, an executive producer from Tollywood who had collaborated with Selim, recounted his last conversation with the producer on Monday. Das was later informed by Shamim Ahmed Rony, director of ‘Commando,’ about the distressing news of Selim’s death. “I was left numb upon hearing the news,” Das said.
Selim Khan’s death has been met with shock and sorrow in the film industry. Dev, who had worked with Selim, expressed his sadness over the news, reflecting on the warm hospitality he had experienced in Bangladesh. “This is truly upsetting. I hope that this turbulent period will soon end and that Bangladesh will recover swiftly,” Dev told reporters.
Bonny Sengupta, who had worked with Shanto Khan on several productions, also expressed his shock. “This is a shocking development. I had completed a Bangladeshi production with him titled ‘Production No. 1’,” Sengupta said.
The brutal killing of Selim and Shanto Khan highlights the ongoing political and social tensions in Bangladesh and has cast a shadow over the film industry’s connections across the region.
