Salman Shah is a name synonymous with an unrivaled leading man in Dhallywood. With his acting, style and screen presence, he won people’s hearts in a film career of just four years. After his debut in “Keyamat Theke Keyamat” in 1993, he went on to give audiences 27 films. Even three decades after his death, that popularity hasn’t faded in the slightest — if anything, Salman Shah has become an even bigger subject of discussion with time.
The actor died on Sept. 6, 1996. Thirty years have now passed. But for his beloved co-star and popular on-screen partner Shabnur, it still feels hard to believe Salman is gone. Shabnur expressed this sentiment in a social media post marking Salman Shah’s 30th death anniversary.
Shabnur wrote, “Even today I can’t believe you’re gone, Salman…” Remembering him, she also wrote, “Even after all these years, your memory remains undimmed in my heart. That beloved prince of the screen, that dream hero of people’s love, still lives on in our memories, in our love. The huge void your untimely death left in our film industry has still not been filled.”
In Shabnur’s words, time has passed and generations have changed, but Salman Shah’s popularity and the magic of his acting remain just as alive in people’s hearts. Her final words to her beloved co-star: “Wherever you are, be well, dear Salman Shah.”
The Salman-Shabnur duo was one of Dhallywood’s most popular on-screen pairings. They were so beloved on screen that rumors once spread that the two were romantically involved. Shabnur, however, has always denied those rumors, insisting she always saw Salman as a brother. Salman’s mother, Neela Chowdhury, has also recently said Salman Shah saw Shabnur as a younger sister.
Shabnur still remembers meeting Salman for the first time. She has spoken about it in an interview. According to Shabnur, “The first day I saw Salman, he was shooting with Moushumi Apu. We’d cross paths coming and going, but we didn’t talk much. Back then I’d heard a new hero named Salman Shah had come into films. We were formally introduced while acting in ‘Tumi Amar.’ Working together, we became friends. Our first film, ‘Tumi Amar,’ became a superhit after release.”
Even after Salman’s death, various stories about his relationship with Shabnur kept circulating. She holds some resentment about this.
She said, “It is absolutely true that I never saw Salman any other way than as a brother. After Salman’s death, some people tried to profit by dragging me into it. Some journalists also printed all sorts of sensational stories about our relationship. I don’t know what good that did anyone. I built my career with great difficulty, piece by piece. Some people just tried to enjoy themselves by spreading rumors.”
Shabnur also still cannot forget the moment she learned of Salman’s death. She was at home that day. Suddenly, someone called and told her Salman Shah had died. At first, she couldn’t believe it. Shabnur said, “Suddenly someone called and said Salman Shah had died. I snapped back at them, asking what nonsense they were saying. My younger sister went outside and confirmed the news of Salman’s death. I was completely stunned. After that, I went to see Salman at FDC.”