In memory of stars we lost in 2020

Andrew Kishore

Hailed as the ‘Playback King’ of the music industry, Andrew Kishore’s distinct voice remains inextricably linked with Bangla cinema. You cannot think of one without the other.

The eight-time National Film Award winner was last seen on stage in early February, wearing a red punjabi and a black hat. He came in a wheel-chair to attend a concert in Singapore dedicated to him, titled Love for Andrew Kishore. He was joined on stage by Sabina Yasmin, Syed Abdul Hadi, Mitali Mukharjee, and Momin Biswas.

When Andrew performed that evening, fans broke into tears. Many in the audience believed at the time that his illness was permanently behind him, that he would go on to defeat what so brutally ailed him. The ceremony in Singapore was a celebration of his enduring spirit and his timeless music; those tears were shed in joy. His arrival was the affirmation his fans needed to believe that his days were not numbered, that an evening like that would be followed by many more.

Yet here we are. The star has died after fighting a year-long battle with an unforgiving opponent in 2020.

Aly Zaker

Ekushey Padak-winning veteran actor and freedom fighter Aly Zaker passed away at 76.

He was diagnosed with Covid-19 two days prior to his death, and had been battling with cancer for the last four years.

For many, Aly Zaker was more than an artist; he stood for greater things than his own craft. Fans lamented that his passing marks ‘the end of an era,’ recalling the long gone days of BTV’s golden age when families around the country would gather in front of the TV and fall in love with actors like Zaker lulling us to a better world – the illusion, the blending of reality and TV, admittedly, only lasted for an hour or so, but the magic stayed forever.

Abdul Kader

Veteran actor Abdul Kader, well-known for playing iconic comedy characters on television, died at a hospital in Dhaka, at the age of 69.

The renowned actor, who was diagnosed with stage IV cancer, later tested positive for Covid-19. 

Abdul Kader became a household name for his iconic character Bodi in Humayun Ahmed's serial "Kothao Keu Nei." The character brought enormous popularity for him.

Key protagonist Baker Bhai (acted by Asaduzzaman Noor) was sentenced to death in a false murder case in the serial where Bodi played a crucial role. Kader was much appreciated for his performance.

He is also best known for playing Dulabhai in Humayun Ahmed's another popular drama "Nakshatrer Raat."

He had a regular spot on Hanif Sanket's "Ityadi," the most popular magazine show in the country.

Sadek Bachchu

Veteran actor Sadek Bachchu died of coronavirus at 66.

A retired employee of Bangladesh Post Office, Sadek Bachchu entered the silver screen in 1985 with ‘Ramer Sumoti’ and acted in over 500 films till date. His career skyrocketed with Ehteshamul Haq’s acclaimed film ‘Chandni’ which cemented his identity as a regular in negative roles.

In 2016, Sadek Bachchu won the only national film award of his career as the best actor for his role as “Khal” in "Ekti Cinemar Golpo".

Alauddin Ali

Five times National Film Award winning music director Alauddin Ali breathed his las on August 9. He was 67 years old.

Born on December 24, 1952, Alauddin ventured into music direction with Shondhikkhon in 1975. 

Hailed as ‘Shur Somrat’, the late music director worked in more than 300 films in his career, winning the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Music Director five times for Golapi Ekhon Traine (1978), Sundori (1979), Koshai (1980), Jogajog (1988) and Lakhe Ekta (1990). He won the Best Music Composer, and Best Lyricists awards for the films Laal Doriya (2002), and Premik (1985) respectively.

KS Firoz 

Veteran Bangladeshi actor KS Firoz, known for portraying versatile characters in television, theatre and films, passed away at the age of 76.

With the movie “Lawarish,” Firoz debuted in Bangladeshi film industry. After a long hiatus from the silver screen, he returned in Abu Sayeed directed film “Shankhonad” (2004). He went on acting in Sayeed's film “Banshi” (2007), Murad Parvez directed “Chandragrohon” (2008) and “Brihonnola” (2014). 

Prior to his death, he acted in Sokal Ahmed directed drama “Fulmohol” and “Shunnota” by Moniruzzama.

Soumitra Chatterjee

Legendary actor Soumitra Chatterjee, star of some of Bengali cinema's finest films, has passed away at the age of 85.

He was best-known for his many collaborations with filmmaker Satyajit Ray - they made 14 movies together. Apart from acting, Soumitra Chatterjee also wrote poetry.

He made his debut in Satyajit Ray's 1959 film Apur Sansar, part of the acclaimed Pather Panchali trilogy. He was also directed by Satyajit Ray in Charulata, Devi, Teen Kanya, Ghare Baire, Ganashatru and other films.

Soumitra Chatterjee was the first actor to play the role of Feluda, the detective created by Satyajit Ray. He starred as Feluda in two films directed by Satyajit Ray - Sonar Kella and Joy Baba Felunath.

His last big screen outing was 2019's Sanjhbati.

Saroj Khan

Popular Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan passed away following a cardiac arrest at the age of 71.

In a career spanning over four decades, Saroj Khan is credited with choreographing more than 2,000 songs, which included “Dola Re Dola” from Sanjay Leela Bhansali's “Devdas,” “Ek Do Teen” from Madhuri Dixit-starrer “Tezaab,” and “Ye Ishq Haaye” from “Jab We Met” in 2007.

She also worked on television as a reality show judge between 2005 and 2010.

Sushant Singh Rajput in Chhichhore (2018)

Sushant Singh Rajput

Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput committed suicide at his Mumbai home on June 14.

Sushant made a name for himself on the small screen, especially with Pavitra Rishta, where he played the lead role, before jumping to the big screen. Sushant broke on to the big screen with Abhishek Kapoor's Kai Po Che, based on Chetan Bhagat's bestselling book The Three Mistakes of My Life.

Kai Po Che catapulted Sushant Singh Rajput, a small-town boy, into almost overnight fame in Bollywood.

Wajid Khan

Singer-composer Wajid Khan, part of music director duo Sajid-Wajid, died at a hospital in Mumbai from various health complications. 

The Sajid-Wajid duo made their Bollywood debut with actor Salman Khan’s 1998 movie Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya, and went on to compose music for Salman Khan’s films, such as Garv, Tere Naam, Tumko Na Bhool Payenge, Partner and the Dabangg franchise, according to PTI.

Wajid Khan also did playback singing for Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar. Some of his well-known tracks were “Mera He Jalwa”, “Fevicol Se,” and “Chinta Tha Chita Chita”.

Rishi Kapoor

Veteran Bollywood actor, director and producer Rishi Kapoor died while receiving treatment at a Mumbai hospital at the age of 67.

Born in south Mumbai, Rishi is the second son of Bollywood legendary film director and actor Raj Kapoor. He did his schooling with his brothers at Campion School in Mumbai. His brothers are well-known actors, Randhir Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor.

Rishi Kapoor debuted in his father's 1970 film Mera Naam Joker, playing his father's role as a child. He had his first lead role opposite Dimple Kapadia in the popular 1973 film Bobby which became an instant hit among youngsters. He made a popular pairing with future wife Neetu Singh in multi star films like Khel Khel Mein, Kabhie Kabhie, Amar Akbar Anthony, Pati Patni Aur Woh, Duniya Meri Jeb Mein. The only solo hit of the Rishi Neetu was Rafoo Chakkar

Irrfan Khan

A son of a tyre seller, Irrfan Khan made his film debut in Salaam Bombay! in 1988 to little success. He lacked the conventional good looks of a Bollywood superstar and was only offered small roles in third-rate soap operas for the longest time. The actor slowly crawled his way to the top, rising above scorn and establishing himself as India’s one of the finest character actors over the course of an enduring career spanning over three decades.

In 2018, the veteran actor was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour. He had been fighting for his life ever since. Khan’s last film Angrezi Medium was released shortly before the nation-wide lockdown.

He encapsulated his battle with the fatal disease in an emotional note that read: “I had been in a different game, I was traveling on a speedy train ride, had dreams, plans, aspirations, goals, was fully engaged in them. And suddenly someone taps on my shoulder and I turn to see. It’s the TC: ‘Your destination is about to come. Please get down!'"

The actor added, “I am confused. ‘No, no. My destination hasn’t come,’ I said. 'No, this is it. This is how it is sometimes'.”

Sadly, this is how it is sometimes. Khan's cinematic journey might have been cut short, yet it has been no less than extraordinary.

Irrfan Khan passed away in Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital where he was admitted for colon infection. He is survived by his wife Sutapa and two sons.

Chadwick Boseman 

Chadwick Boseman

 Star of the ground-breaking superhero movie "Black Panther," has died after a private four-year battle with colon cancer.

Boseman, 43, never publicly discussed his condition and continued to work on major Hollywood films during and between "countless" operations and chemotherapy, his family said in a statement.

Born in South Carolina, the son of a nurse and an upholstery entrepreneur, Boseman has roots in the west African state of Sierra Leone.

Before Marvel, he was best known for acclaimed portrayal of the legendary Robinson in Brian Helgeland's "42" (2013), which had the highest-grossing debut for a baseball movie in Hollywood history, reported AFP.

Sean Connery

Legendary actor Sean Connery, best known for playing fictional spy James Bond, died at the age of 90, leading to an outpouring of tributes for one of Britain's best-loved screen heroes.

The Scottish actor, who was knighted in 2000, won numerous awards during his decades-spanning career, including an Oscar, three Golden Globes and two BAFTA awards, reported AFP.

Eddie Van Halen

Eddie Van Halen, one of rock music's greatest guitar players and a founding member of the hard-rocking, top-selling band named after him and his drummer brother, died of cancer. He was 65.

Eddie Van Halen's pioneering, virtuoso technique earned him a place along the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin as one of rock's top guitarists. In 2012 a Guitar World magazine poll of readers voted him the greatest guitar player of all time.