Actor Khalil Ullah Khan no more

Actor Khalil Ullah Khan has died, bringing the curtain down on a colourful career spanning over five decades in Bangladesh films.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 7 Dec 2014, 06:53 AM
Updated : 7 Dec 2014, 05:51 PM

He passed away at the capital's Square Hospitals around 11am on Sunday at the age of 80.

The actor from Sylhet, who starred in almost 800 films, leaves behind a treasure trove of memorable performances.

He had been suffering from lung, liver and kidney ailments for some time and was hospitalised several times after falling critically ill, his son Musa Khan told bdnews24.com.

A large number of people from Bangladesh’s cultural world along with media persons had rushed to the hospital on learning of Khan’s death.

Later, Khan’s body was taken from the hospital to his home at Mohammadpur’s Noorjahan Road.

Then his remains were taken to his long-time work place, the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (FDC), for all to pay their last respects.

The body was brought back to his house after a Namaz-e-Janaza there.

After aNother Janaza following the Esha prayers, Khan was buried at the Mohammadpur graveyard.

A condolence message was posted, right after the news of his death was reported, on the Facebook page of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s press wing.

President Md Abdul Hamid and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia have also condoled the death.

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu along with Khan's long-time friends and colleagues had paid tributes at FDC.

The minister told reporters, "He was a dedicated, born actor. The state has accorded him the assistance and honour he deserved."

Legendary actor Razzak also joined the others in paying tributes to the man who played the villain in many of his films.

He recalled, "I never met anyone like him. He was brave and despised anything false. He looked like a serious guy, but really he was a person with good sense of humour."
Celebrated actress Babita, who had worked with Khalil in many movies including 'Arunodoyer Agnishakhi', said, "He was one of my favourite people. He was very close to me. He used to call me over phone to talk even when he was very sick."
"I won't be able to finish telling the memories I have with him," she said.
Actor Alamgir said Khan's demise was an irreparable loss for the cultural arena.
Paying his last respect, veteran actor ATM Shamsuzzaman said, "Whenever he played a role, he made it look like that role was created only for him. Artists are not created. Khalil was a born artist."
Khan had acted in several movies directed by actor and director Amzad Hossain. Hossain said, "We were father and son. He was like a banyan tree to our generation."
Praising Khan's contributions to the film artists, BFDC Film Artist Association General Secretary Misha Sawdagor said, "The artist didn't even have a place to seat at FDC. As a senior artist he played major role in setting up the Artists Association office in FDC."
Born in Sylhet's Kumarparha on Feb 1, 1934, Khan graduated from the Murari Chand College and joined Ansar in 1951.
He had acted in numerous films during the past 54 years. He began his career in television and first starred in Jahir Raihan’s film ‘Sonar Kajal’ in 1959.
Some of his other movies were ‘Preet Na Jane Reet’, ‘Sangam’, ‘Bhawal Sannyasi’, ‘Kayse Kahu’, Jangli Ful, ‘Agun’, ‘Pagla Raza’, ‘Mintu Amar Naam’, ‘Wada’, ‘Bini Sutar Mala’, ‘Bou Kotha Kau’ and ‘Kajal’.
Khan, who also excelled in playing the bad guy, first acted as a villain in ‘Begana’, directed by SM Parvez, in 1966.
‘Bhawal Sannyasi’ gave him his directorial debut in 1965. He had also produced two films – ‘Sipahi’ and ‘Ei Ghar Ei Sangsar’.
A familiar face on TV, he was widely acclaimed for his role as ‘Miah’r Beta’ in the television drama based on Shahidullah Kaiser’s novel ‘Shangshaptak’.
The former head of Bangladesh Film Actors Association received the lifetime achievement award in 2012 for his contribution to Bangladeshi cinema.
“From now on, I take the responsibility for his lifelong treatment. He gave us a lot, now it’s our turn to give him back,” Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had said while handing the crest to ailing Khan in May 10, this year.