Actor Shanto Khan and Father Selim Khan lynched in violent mob attack amid Bangladesh unrest

The father-son duo was brutally lynched by a mob on Monday while attempting to flee violence in their home country

The tragic killing of Bangladeshi actor Shanto Khan and his father, producer Selim Khan, amidst the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh sent shockwaves in the Kolkata film industry, particularly among those who had worked closely with Shanto Khan. The father-son duo was brutally lynched by a mob on Monday while attempting to flee violence in their home country.
Local media reports said that Shanto Khan and Selim Khan, who also served as the chairman of Laxmipur Model Union Parishad, were seeking refuge in Farakkabad Bazaar of Balia Union when they were confronted by an angry mob. As reported by Dhaka Tribune, the situation escalated after the two reportedly fired shots in self-defense while attempting to escape. They encountered another mob near Bagara Bazaar, where they were ultimately beaten to death.
The violent protests that led to their deaths were sparked by growing discontent over government job reservations and eventually evolved into broader demands for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Facing mounting pressure, Hasina resigned on Monday and fled to India. Selim Khan, an expelled leader of the Awami League and the owner of the Dhaka-based production house Shapla Media, was reportedly targeted due to his political affiliations. He had previously been jailed on corruption charges and was under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission, as reported by Prothom Alo.
Filmmaker Sudipto Sen expressed his anguish and condemned the killings, urging the international community to voice strong protests against the violence in Bangladesh. “This is not acceptable, and I strongly condemn this brutal killing. This is horrendous—this is unbelievable,” Sen wrote in a post on X.
Shanto Khan, who debuted in 2019 with the film Prem Chor, was known for his roles in Bikkhov (2022) and Bubujaan (2023).He was remembered fondly by his Kolkata colleagues for his kindness and professionalism on set. Actor Rajatava Dutta, who worked with Shanto in Bikkhov, shared his disbelief and sorrow over the news.
Actor Kaushani Mukhopadhyay, who starred opposite Shanto in Piya Re, echoed Dutta’s sentiments, recalling the young actor’s respectful demeanor and ambitions. “I got the deeply disturbing news late Monday night and have remained distressed ever since. I believe in the triumph of humanity and hope the situation will soon turn normal there,” she said.
According to a report by NDTV, Actor-director Parambrata Chatterjee, who had worked on several projects in Bangladesh, was also appalled at the killings in the neighbouring country.
He denounced vandalizing statues of iconic figures during the turmoil there.
According to media reports, Shanto was lynched at Chandpur on Monday night along with his father Selim Khan, owner of a renowned Bangladeshi production house, who had financed films ‘Tungi Parar Miya Bhai’, ‘Commando’ and others. (NDTV)
The loss of Shanto and Selim Khan marks a grim chapter for both the Bangladeshi and Kolkata film industries, as colleagues and fans alike mourn the untimely deaths of two individuals who had contributed significantly to the cinematic arts.

Also Read: “I stand with the Pains and Sufferings…India must do more to protect them”: Actor Adil Hussain on Bangladesh Violence

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