According to local media reports, actor Shanto Khan and his father Selim fired shots in self-defense as they faced an enraged mob.
Bangladeshi actor Shanto Khan and his father, Selim Khan, were tragically lynched by a mob on Monday amidst escalating unrest in Bangladesh. Selim Khan, a former leader of the Awami League and chairman of the Laxmipur Model Union Parishad, was also a prominent film producer.
Also Read:- Who is Khaleda Zia, Former PM of Bangladesh to be Released from Jail after Sheikh Hasina Resigns and Flees
The fatal incident occurred as Shanto and his father attempted to escape the chaos at Forkkabad Bazaar in Balia Union Parishad. According to local media reports, the duo fired shots in self-defense as they faced an enraged mob. However, as they neared Bagara Bazaar, another mob intercepted them, and the two were brutally beaten to death.
Monday’s violent protests in Bangladesh, initially sparked by opposition to government job reservations, quickly morphed into broader demands for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. As unrest spread, several members of Hasina’s ruling party, the Awami League, became targets. Selim Khan, who had been expelled from the party and was embroiled in a corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission, was among those caught in the crossfire.
The shocking news of Shanto and Selim Khan’s deaths has reverberated through the Indian film industry. Filmmaker Sudipto Sen expressed his deep sorrow and outrage over the killings, urging for strong condemnation of the violence in Bangladesh.
“I am deeply anguished and angered by the news of the mob-lynching of promising actor Shanto Khan and his producer father, Selim Khan. This is horrendous—unbelievable,” Sen wrote on X.
Shanto Khan made his film debut in 2019 with “Prem Chor” and gained recognition with roles in films like “Bikkhov” (2022) and “Bubujaan” (2023). His father, Selim Khan, was the owner of Shapla Media, a prominent media and entertainment company based in Dhaka, which was instrumental in producing and distributing Bengali films.
Also Read:- Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Resigns Amid Violent Protests, Flees to India
The tragedy has left many in shock, including Indian actor Rajatava Dutta, who told PTI, “I was stunned to hear the news of their deaths. We don’t know the exact circumstances, but it is heartbreaking. As artists, we strive for peace, amity, and brotherhood, and this violence is deeply distressing.”
Actress Kaushani Mukhopadhyay, who starred alongside Shanto in “Piya Re,” shared her sorrow, saying, “I received the disturbing news late Monday night and have been distressed ever since. Shanto was always respectful and shared his dreams of making a significant impact in the industry. I hope humanity prevails and that peace is restored soon.”
Bangladesh is now poised to form an interim government, with Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus expected to assume leadership on Thursday.