The cultural community gathered in Dhaka on Wednesday (March 18) to bid farewell to acclaimed actor Shams Sumon, as his first funeral prayers were held at the premises of Channel i.
The ceremony drew a wide cross-section of colleagues, artists and media personalities who came together to honour his memory and contributions to the industry.
Prominent figures from film, television and theatre were present, including Faridur Reza Sagar and Shykh Seraj, alongside actors such as Omar Sani, Zahid Hasan and Mir Sabbir. Their presence reflected the deep respect Sumon commanded across the entertainment landscape.
Tributes were also offered by organisations including Actors’ Equity Association Bangladesh and the recitation group Swanan, with which Sumon had longstanding ties dating back to his early days at the University of Rajshahi.
The late actor’s family is currently travelling from the UK and burial arrangements will be completed upon their arrival. Until then, his body has been placed in capital’s CMH mortuary.
Sumon died on Tuesday evening after suffering a cardiac arrest at a private hospital in Dhaka. Over the years, he built a diverse career spanning stage, television and film, later taking on a leadership role as Station Chief at Radio Bhumi.
Though he had stepped back from regular screen appearances in recent years, his body of work and distinctive presence continued to resonate with audiences.
Over the years, Sumon had built a diverse filmography spanning both popular and critically noted works, with appearances in titles such as ‘Joyjatra’ (2004), ‘Bidrohi Padma’ (2006) and ‘Nomuna’ (2008). He continued to remain active through the following decade with projects like ‘Hello Amit’ (2012), ‘Ayna Kahini’ (2013) and ‘Priya Tumi Sukhi Hou’ (2014), before featuring in a cluster of releases in 2016, including ‘Mon Janena Moner Thikana’, ‘Cox’s Bazar e Kakatuya’ and ‘Chokher Dekha’.
His performances earned him widespread recognition, including a National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor in ‘Swapno Puron’, cementing his legacy as a respected figure in Bangladesh’s cultural sphere.
