Salman Shah

Chowdhury Muhammad Shahriar Emon (19 September 1971 – 6 September 1996), known by his stage name Salman Shah, was a Bangladeshi film and television actor.

Referred in the media as the "Prince of Bangladeshi Cinema" and the "First Superstar of Modern Dhallywood", he is commonly regarded as one of the most influential and iconic figures in Bangladesh's film history.

Shah appeared in 27 films in a short acting career of three years, many of which were successful.

Chowdhury Muhammad Shahriar Emon was born on 19 September 1971 at the Ab-e-Hayat House, the home of his maternal grandfather in Dariapara, Sylhet.

He was the eldest son of Nilufar Zaman Nila and Qamaruddin Chowdhury, and his family was originally from Zakiganj.

He had a younger brother named Chowdhury Mohammad Shahran Evan.

He studied at the Boyra Model High School in Khulna.

Shah first appeared in public television in 1985 as a model for a music video produced by Hanif Sanket.

He later worked on several commercials and a small part in a TV drama.

In 1987, he passed his matriculation from the Arab Mission School in Dhanmondi, Dhaka.

After that, he completed his intermediate from the Adamjee Cantonment College, before proceeding to complete his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Maleka Science College (now Dr. Maleka University College).

Directed by Sohanur Rahman Sohan, the film was a remake of a Bollywood film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988).

Keyamat theke Keyamat became an instant hit and established Shah as a romantic lead actor in Dhalliwood.

The success of the Salman-Moushumi "romantic duo" led to their casting in three more feature films Ontare Ontare, Denmohor and Sneho.

Later, Shah co-starred with actress Shabnur in a number of commercially successful films including Shopner Thikana and Anondo Osru.

He first gained attention for his debut film, Keyamat Theke Keyamat (1993), and in the following three years appeared in leading roles in a series of commercially successful films, including Bikkhobh, Denmohor, Shujon Shokhi, Shopner Thikana, Ei Ghor Ei Shongsar, Sotter Mrittu Nei and Anondo Osru which established him as one of the most sought after leading men in Bangladeshi cinema.

Subsequently, he became the highest paid actor in the industry.

Three of his films, Shopner Thikana, Sotter Mrittu Nei and Keyamat Theke Keyamat are among the top ten highest grossing films of all time in Dhallywood box office.

Shah made his acting debut in 1993 with the movie Keyamat Theke Keyamat along with another debutant actress Moushumi.

At the height of his fame, Shah was found dead in his apartment in Eskaton, Dhaka on September 6, 1996.

In 2021, after decades of controversy and speculation surrounding his death, Bangladesh's Police Bureau of investigation officially declared Shah's cause of death as suicide.

Shah appeared in films from a variety of genres such as family dramas, comedies, social and political dramas, action films, rural dramas, coming of age stories, romance and tragedies.

He was known for his versatility and ability to play a wide range of characters as a leading young man with his distinctive style of acting and personality.

Film analysts give Shah the credit for pioneering a new brand of meaningful cinema and introducing the modern era of leading men with his artistry and fashion.

Due to his accomplishments and influence in Dhallywood over time, he has been regarded as one of the greatest and most successful actors in Bangladeshi film industry.

On 6 September 1996, Shah was found hanging from the ceiling of his bedroom at Eskaton, Dhaka.

Police had filed a case of suicide, but the family objected to it and lodged a murder case.

Business tycoon Aziz Mohammad Bhai was alleged to be involved in the murder.

One Rezvi Ahmed was arrested from the house of Shah's mother, who reportedly named Bhai and Shah's wife Samira for ordering the hit.

Rezvi later disavowed his confession.

On 24 February 2020, the Police Bureau of Investigation completed its investigation and reported that Salman Shah killed himself due to a family dispute over his affair with one of the most popular silver screen actresses at the time, actress Shabnur.

Shah is buried in Shah Jalal Dargah Cemetery in Sylhet.

Shah is considered the most popular actor of his generation and one of the icons of Bangladeshi cinema.

The credit of his lasting legacy is given to his facial expressions, screen presence, dialogue delivery, good-looks and fashion sense.

Film experts feel that his natural acting, body language, styles to match the characters and fashion-consciousness were way ahead of his time with a touch of modernity.

Many of his fashion statements became trends in Bangladeshi pop culture.

He is cited as a fashion icon and acting inspiration by a number of Bangladeshi entertainers including Arifin Shuvo, Sariful Razz, Siam Ahmed and Nirab Hossain.

Salman Shah was also known for his philanthropic work, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare.

He established the Salman Shah Foundation to provide scholarships and financial assistance to underprivileged students, and to support healthcare initiatives in Bangladesh.

In recognition of his contributions to the film industry, the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation established a statue of him in FDC, Dhaka.