Bangladesh Crisis: On Monday, Bangladeshi actor Shanto Khan and his father, Selim Khan, a prominent film producer-director, were brutally lynched. Various reports indicate that Selim and Shanrto attempted to escape their village, heading to Farakkabad Bazar in Balia Union. When locals tried to intercept them, they fired shots to make their escape. However, upon reaching the nearby Bagarabazar area, an enraged mob caught up with them and killed them.
About Selim Khan
Selim Khan had a significant impact on Bengali cinema, producing numerous films with Tollywood stars. He produced several hit films, including Shahenshah and Bidrohi, starring Dhallywood superstar Shakib Khan. He also directed Tungi Parar Miya Bhai, a film highlighting key moments in the life of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. This film marked the debut of his son, Shanto Khan, who went on to act in several other movies under his father’s production.
In 2022, Shapla Media released Bikkhov, featuring Shanto Khan opposite Srabanti Chatterjee and other Tolly actors like Rajatava Dutta and Joydeep Mukherjee. Among Selim's upcoming projects were Agnibina with Rituparna Sengupta, Manob Danob with Bonny Sengupta, and Chhuti with Bonny and Koushani Mukherjee.
Actor Dev reacts to Selim Khan's death
Actor Dev, who stars in Commando produced by Selim, spoke to the Times of India about the producer’s lynching. "I had spoken to Selim bhai on Monday. Just a few hours later, Shamim Ahmed Rony, the director of Commando, called me from the US, asking if I had heard any news. He said his hands were trembling after hearing something distressing about Selim Bhai. When I checked, I was left numb," he told Times of India.
"I have visited Bangladesh several times and was always floored by the hospitality of the people there. The news of their deaths is upsetting. I hope this phase will end and Bangladesh will be back on track soon," he told reporters in Delhi. Bonny Sengupta added, "This is shocking. I had completed one of his Bangladeshi productions titled Production No. 1,” he further said.
Other actors react
Actor Kaushani Mukhopadhyay, who co-starred with Shanto in the Bangladeshi film Piya Re, was quoted as saying by DNA, "I can't believe he is no more. Shanto was very respectful and had ambitions to make a significant impact in the industry.”
Tollywood actor Jeet, known for his roles in several Bangladeshi productions, took to X and described the events as "shattering to say the least."