Veteran actress Nasima Khan, a familiar face in Bengali and Urdu cinema during the 1960s, died in Dhaka on Sunday (11 October) at the age of 82 while awaiting news of her missing younger son.
Nasima died around 7:30pm while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Uttara. Nurjahan Begum, who had been caring for the actress, confirmed her death.
Nasima rose to prominence in Dhaka’s film industry during the 1960s and also worked in Lahore. Her notable films include Je Nodi Moru Pothe, Surjasnan, Begana and Ujala.
She had reportedly been distressed since her younger son, Nabil Nasir Rahman Kushal, went missing in February. She repeatedly appealed through the media for information about him.
Born in Old Dhaka on 6 August, 1944, Nasima made her screen debut in the 1959 Urdu film Jago Hua Savera. She later appeared in numerous Bengali and Urdu productions, sharing the screen with prominent actors of her era.
Following Bangladesh’s independence, she gradually stepped away from films before returning through television and occasional film appearances. Her later works included Matritwa, Kusum Kusum Prem and Matir Pinjira.
Nasima’s death marks the passing of a member of the pioneering generation of actresses who helped shape Dhaka’s Bengali and Urdu film industries.
