Veteran actress Rani Sarker passes away at 86

Rani Sarker, one of the most prominent actress of Bangla films in the 1960s, has died at the age of 86.

She breathed her last after a long battle with lung and old-age complications, according to actor Zayed Khan, the general secretary of Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association.

The octogenarian actress had been taken to Eden Multicare Hospital at Dhaka’s Satmasjid road around 4am on Saturday after her condition deteriorated. There doctors declared her dead, Khan said.

The body of the actress has been taken to the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation or BFDC, where her funeral prayers were held around 2pm. She will be laid to rest at the Azimpur graveyard.

Rani Sarker was born in Satkhira’s Sonatola village in Kaliganj Upazila.

She received a lifetime achievement award in 2016 for her contribution to the film industry.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina provided financial assistance for the treatment of the actress twice in 2016.

After a short stint in theatre, Rani Sarker started her silver screen career in 1958 in AJ Karadar’s Urdu film, Dur Hai Sukh Ki Gaon.

Over the course of her career, the actress featured in about 250 films including Chanda, Talaash, Bandhon, Sangam, Ish Darti Par, Paiose, Kaise Kahu, Azan, Kacher Deyal, Kach Kata Hire, Behula, Anowara, Chhoddobeshi, Bhawal Sannyasi, Titas Ekti Nadir Naam, Chandranath, Shubhoda and Devdas.