Nearly three decades after the sudden death of film icon Salman Shah, the mystery surrounding the young star’s demise has resurfaced; this time, as an official murder case.
On October 20, Dhaka’s Sixth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Jannatul Ferdous Ibne Haque ordered Salman’s 1996 unnatural death case to be treated as a homicide, following a revision petition by the victim’s family.
The next day, Salman’s uncle Alamgir Kumkum filed a new case with Ramna Police Station, naming 11 accused, including the actor’s wife Samira Huq and popular villain-actor Ashraful Haque Don.
Soon after, the court imposed a travel ban on the accused, prompting widespread speculation that Don had fled the country. But in a statement to the media, the actor refuted the claim, saying, “I haven’t run away. I’m home. I’ll surrender in a day or two.”
“People are saying I’ve gone into hiding. I haven’t escaped for 30 years; why would I run now?” Don said. “I’ve suffered for three decades because of this case. It’s time for this to end.”
Reflecting on his bond with Salman Shah, Don emotionally responded: “I left home for the love of cinema, and through that, I got to work with Salman bhai. He wasn’t just a co-star; he became a part of my life; but loving him destroyed my career. I still haven’t been able to recover.”
Don added, “So many people who loved Salman have taken their own lives, I didn’t. Is that my crime? Allah knows everything. One day, the truth will come out. I just don’t know if I’ll live to see that day.”
Recalling his final encounter with Salman, Don said, “I returned to Dhaka from Chattogram on August 30. Salman asked me to inform director Shibli Sadik that he’d join the shooting of Anondo Oshru on September 3. I passed on the message.”
“I had planned a short trip to Bogura, but couldn’t return to Dhaka because of a bus strike. Then came the news on September 6 – Salman Shah was gone.”
For Don, once a familiar face of Dhaliwood’s 1990s screen villains, this case remains a haunting shadow. “I just want justice and peace,” he stated.
