Entertainment Report :
Noted filmmaker Shahidul Islam Khokon died at a city hospital on Monday morning. He was 59.
He was under treatment there for a long time. He breathed his last at Uttara Adhunik Hospital around 8:15am, said Mushfiqur Rahman Guljar, General Secretary of Chalachchitra Parichalak Samity.
Khokon had long been suffering from Motor Neuron Disease (ALS), a progressive disease involving degeneration of the motor neurons and wasting of the muscles, in the internal part of his mouth.
He was admitted to the hospital as his condition deteriorated on December 31, 2015. He left behind wife Joy, three children, relatives and many well-wishers.
Khokon was the creator of many commercially successful films like Palabi Kothai, Bhondo, Madam Phuli, Birpurush, Loraku, and Biplob. He won the National Film Award for Madam Phuli.
Khokon sold his own residence in the city’s Uttara area around 16 years ago for making Palabi Kothai, a film on women empowerment.
He also made a film, Ghatok, against the war criminals, and a movie, Laal Sabuj, against Bangla Bhai.
Besides acting in a few films including Utthan Poton in 1992, Khokon also served as the president of Bangladesh Film Directors’ Association for a term.
Khokon’s first namaj-e-janaza was held at Film Development Corporation (FDC) after Zohr prayer. He was buried at Uttara graveyard in Sector No 4 in the city.
Khokon was born at Boalia village of Imamkathi in Barisal in 1957. He was such a director who got the highest payment rather than the actors. From mid 80s to 90s his movies were popular among the viewers. This period was the golden time of his career. Kung Fu action, exceptionality in story, songs and excitements created the viewers interested to come to the cinema halls to watch his movies.
After working under Masud Parvez (Sohel Rana) as the assistant director for 10 years Khokon started his career as a filmmaker by movie Rokter Bondi. But his directed first two movies were commercially super flop.
In his third movie Loraku, casting newcomer Rubel as a hero was super hit. Later casting Rubel he made movies Birpurush, Bojromushti, Biplob, Utthan Poton, Sontrash, Top Rongbaj, Shotru Bhoyonkor, Apohoron, Sotorko Shoitan, Dusshahosh, Lompot, Rakkhosh, Joddha, Biswa Premik, Ghatok, Bhondo, Noropishach, Pagla Ghonta, etc. His directed last movie was Chehara where Shakib and Racy acted in two lead roles.
Khokon was that director who appropriately explored the acting skills of noted actor late Humayun Faridi in commercial movies.
In the 90s, casting Humayun Faridi he made a movie Bhondo, which broke the traditional filmmaking in the country.
