Kolkata: Members of the Kolkata film industry on Wednesday expressed shock over the killing of Bangladeshi actor Shanto Khan and his father, producer Salim Khan, amid the unrest in the neighboring country.
Several Kolkata-based actors, who have worked with Shanto Khan in Bangladeshi film projects, refrained from commenting on the reasons for the killings, deeming them internal matters of another country.
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“I was stunned after hearing the news of their deaths. We don’t know the circumstances, but it saddens my heart. Artists like us, who thrive on art and creativity, always yearn for peace, amity, and brotherhood,” said popular actor Rajatabha Dutta.
Dutta, who worked with Shanto in the 2022 Bangladeshi film ‘Bikkhov’ (Resentment), told PTI that the young actor was cooperative and respectful on the sets. “During our shoot in Chandpur for the movie, he personally took care of my needs. He was attentive even at the hotel. I do not know why he had to die at such a young age when his career was looking up,” he said.
The critically acclaimed actor declined to comment on the situation in Bangladesh. Shanto debuted with ‘Prem Chor’ in 2019 and later worked in ‘Piya Re’ in 2021, ‘Bubujaan’ in 2023, and ‘Anto Nagar’ in 2024.
Actor Kaushani Mukhopadhyay, who starred opposite Shanto in ‘Piya Re’, said, “I received the deeply disturbing news late Monday night and have been distressed ever since.”
She recalled that Shanto extended hospitality to her and other actors from India during the shoot in Chandpur and Dhaka, making her feel welcome in a foreign land. “As a senior in the industry, Shanto was very respectful towards me and shared his ambition of making a significant impact in the industry,” Mukhopadhyay said. “I believe in the triumph of humanity and hope the situation will soon return to normal,” she added.
Shanto, who also dabbled in modeling, played the role of young Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the film ‘Tungiparar Miya Bhai’ in 2021.
Filmmaker Raj Chakraborty said, “Any death, be it of a protesting student, a policeman, an actor, a producer, or a political activist, is shocking. All of us have fond memories of working in Bangladesh. I say this not only as a stakeholder in the film industry but also as a human being and a citizen of India.”
Actor-director Parambrata Chatterjee, who has worked on several projects in Bangladesh, was also appalled by the killings in the neighboring country. He denounced the vandalizing of statues of iconic figures during the turmoil.
According to media reports, Shanto was lynched at Chandpur on Monday night along with his father Selim Khan, owner of a renowned Bangladeshi production house, who had financed films such as ‘Tungi Parar Miya Bhai’ and ‘Commando’. Selim Khan was an expelled leader of the Awami League, whose supporters have been facing attacks in recent days. Sheikh Hasina, who headed the Awami League government, resigned on Monday. PTI
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