Saturday (September 19) is the 55th birthday of the actor Salman Shah. Had he lived, this popular hero of Bengali cinema would have completed 55 years and entered his 56th. There might have been a colourful celebration around the birthday. But on September 6, 1996, at the age of just 25, he left the world behind.
It is not only on the anniversary of his death or his birthday that Salman Shah is discussed. Three decades after his death, this popular actor of the 1990s remains part of the conversation among audiences and admirers for all sorts of reasons.
Members of the Salman Shah fan clubs that have grown up in various parts of the country are marking the day with a range of events. The Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association, however, has arranged nothing in particular for his birthday.
Salman Shah was born on September 19, 1971, in Jakiganj upazila of Sylhet district. His father was Kamar Uddin Chowdhury and his mother Neela Chowdhury. His paternal grandfather’s house was at Sheikhghat in Sylhet town, and his maternal grandfather’s house was at Dariapara — the house now known as Salman Shah House.
Salman Shah’s maternal grandfather acted in Mukh O Mukhosh, the first full-length Bengali feature film made in East Pakistan. It was through his grandfather’s encouragement that Salman came to acting. From his school days he was known among his friends as a singer, and in 1986 he completed a course in folk song at Chhayanaut.
He married Samira Haque on August 12, 1992, before entering films. His acting career had, however, already begun in television drama. Salman made his television debut in a role in the serial Pathor Somoy, written by Moinul Ahsan Saber. Though Tauquir Ahmed played the central role in the drama, Salman’s part was also significant. He went on to win praise for several more dramas.
It was with his big-screen debut in Keyamat Theke Keyamat, directed by Sohanur Rahman Sohan, that Salman Shah rose overnight to the top of public affection. He made his film debut opposite Moushumi, and later acted in two more films with her.
It was his pairing with Shabnur, though, that became the most popular of all, and it is still regarded as one of the best-loved pairings in Bengali cinema. Alongside Shabnur, Salman Shah also acted opposite Shabnaz, Shahnaz, Lima, Shilpi, Shyama, Sonia, Brishti, Sabrina and Kanchi.
He lived to see the success of several of the films he acted in, among them Keyamat Theke Keyamat, Tumi Amar, Antore Antore, Sujon Sokhi, Bikkhov, Prem Juddho, Konyadan, Swapner Thikana, Anjuman, Mohamilon, Asha Bhalobasha, Bichar Hobe, Ei Ghar Ei Songsar, Priyojon, Tomake Chai and Swapner Prithibi.
Swapner Prithibi was the last film whose success Salman Shah lived to enjoy. It was released on July 12, 1996. Akheri Mokabela, directed by Raihan Mujib, was released on the day he died, and Sotyer Mrityu Nei followed on September 13.