Shahed Zahidi
BDNEWS Writer
Advisory: With Photo
Dhaka, Sept 7 (BDNEWS) - 'All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players'. The aforesaid words are much more true about a man in our filmdom both in reel and real life, Salman Shah who had appeared like Prometheus during 90s at a time when the Dhaka film industry was in need of a man to bring back its lost glory.
Salman's emergence in the Dhaka film industry brought back cultured middle class audience again to the cinema halls resulting in brisk movie business. It can be said without the slightest shadow of doubt that the contribution of a man behind it played a pivotal role and that is Salman Shah.
The wretched condition of the filmdom after his departure also bear the testimony of his contribution to the Dhaka film industry in particular and the resurrection among the audience in general. This renaissance hero brought to an end to his glorious life on 6th September 1997 making his numerous fans weep and wail. As if he did it for the sake of scripts.
Many people concerned with the film industry think that if Salman had been alive the condition of the Dhaka film industry would have undergone a tremendous change and the cinema halls would not have been shut down one after another the way it is going on.
The value of Salman can be traced easily in committing suicides of some of his admirers, the tumult his death created and the intensity of the grievance following his death. But some papers specially the crime magazines in the country capitalizing on his death did brisk business.
Following the departure of 'lover-boy' Salman his place has still remained void. Though Riaz, Ferdous are also bright performers, Salman was number one, think the film experts. It is noticeable that after Salman's death a newcomer was brought who resembled him to give a finishing touch to his incomplete works in a movie but that was all.
Salman Shah, the chocolate boy of Dhalliwood, was introduced to filmdom by Sohanur Rahman Sohan through his copyright movie, Keyamat theke keyamat , a remake of Bolliwood super hit keyamat Se keyamat tak. In this film, Salman'a performance was highly praised. He became the heartthrob to new generation.
Then one after another Salman's films made hits. In keyamat Mousumi, a newcomer and cherubic face of 90s, was cast as heroine and that was her debut too. Then Salman did several hit films with Shabnoor, another divine beauty of Dhalliwood. These are Tumi Amar, Bikkhove, Swapner thikana etc.
Shabnoor-Salman pair became popular. Thus Salman made him as the most expected hero both to makers and viewers. Among salman's other heroines there are Shabnaj, Shahnaj, Lima, Brishti, Kanchi etc.
Actually no films of Salman were made sheer flop. Thus he became super star. So his so early and unexpected demise struck severely on show people and fans.
He was always the star. There was consistently an astral quality about him. He shot to fame with his song 'O amar bandhu go chiro sathi path chalar' and 'tumi mor jiboner bhabona in his debut film ' keyamat and another one.
His acting talent and boy next-door looks immediately endeared him to the audiences.
He followed up his success with similar lover boy roles in Tumi Amar, Bikkhove, Swapner Thikana, Rangin Sujan Sakhi with Shabnoor, Antore Antore with Mousumi, Anjuman with Shabnaj and Ei Ghar Ei Sangsar with Brishti and TV serial 'Iti Katha' with Shomi Kaiser.
Before entering filmdom Salman appeared in several TV programmes from 1980 to 92.
Renaissance man Salman Shah was the first hero with natural get-up, gesture and posture in the Dhaka filmdom.
On every death anniversary of Salman movie related people organise memorial function, which is also observed in Sylhet, the home district of late Salman.
On the occasion of Salman's ninth death anniversary when asked his colleagues in the film industry said about different aspects of Salman.
Mousumi: "First it was me who got Salman as a hero, I developed a misunderstanding with him during 'Keyamat'. In fact it was a mistake on my part. At the first sight Salman seemed moody and I thought he had superiority complex. When this notion of mine disappeared I found him a 'my dear type of boy'".
Shabnur: "Salman was tremendously cooperative, Truly speaking, I have learnt a lot from him. I think, viewers like me more with Salman."
Diti: "Though he called me "Khala" (aunty) he expressed his eagerness to be my hero. As I opposed the idea he referred to the Sri Devi-Salman Khan pair."
Champa: "It hurts my heart when I remember Salman. When there was a shooting on the premises of the FDC a festive like atmosphere was created. When he expressed his intension to become my hero I used to laugh it away."
Shomi Kaiser: "Salman was not the type of hero of the stereotyped cinemas', I observed it while working for the TV serial 'Iti katha' by Mamunur Rashid."
Brishti: "I worked with Salman in only one film. Now he sometimes comes across my mind when I am in the air as I am an airhostess. He liked very much to give surprise."
Shibli Sadik: "I grew a sort of friendship with him while he was working for my motion picture 'Antare Antare'. It was very easy for me to pursue him into doing my works."
Sohanur Rahman Sohan: "I suddenly discovered Salman when I was looking for someone like Amir Khan for my movie 'Keyamat Theke Keyamat'. During works I had never thought it was his first work. Always he tried to do things in his own way by coming out of my orbit. In some cases I could extract better works out of him."
BDNEWS/2057 hrs
