Renowned Bangladeshi filmmaker Zahidur Rahim Anjan dies at 61
Dhaka: Award-winning Bangladeshi filmmaker Zahidur Rahim Anjan, best known for his critically acclaimed film Meghmallar, passed away at the age of 61 on Monday night. He died while undergoing treatment for liver disease at a hospital in Bengaluru, India, filmmaker Akram Khan confirmed.
Anjan had been battling liver-related complications for a long time and had traveled to India for treatment. Despite undergoing surgery, his condition worsened post-operation. His wife, writer Shaheen Akhtar, was by his side during his final moments. Arrangements are being made by the Bangladesh Short Film Forum to bring his body back home.
Tributes from the Bangladeshi film community poured in following the news of his death. Filmmaker Giasuddin Selim wrote on Facebook, "Rest in peace, friend, how much is left to be said. See you soon." Director Amitabh Reza Chowdhury also paid his respects, saying, "Dada, wait a bit. Coming up to complete the talk over Tarkovsky."
Anjan made his feature film debut with Meghmallar in 2014, based on Akhtaruzzaman Elias’s short story Raincoat. The film earned him Bangladesh National Film Awards for Best Director and Best Dialogue in 2015. His most recent project, Chander Amaboshay (Dark Moon), funded by the government, is awaiting release.
Beyond his filmmaking contributions, Anjan was a founding member of the Bangladesh Short Film Forum and served as a faculty member in the Department of Film and Media Studies at Stamford University Bangladesh. He was also a jury board member for the National Film Awards last year.
Anjan is survived by his wife, two brothers, a sister, and numerous friends and relatives.
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Udupi: Woman, bank employee arrested in property tax fraud case
Udupi: Udupi City Police have arrested two persons, including a woman, in connection with the alleged misappropriation of property tax funds belonging to the Udupi Municipal Council.
The accused have been identified as Shalini, who was working as a tax consultant outside the municipal office, and Ganesh, a bank employee.
According to police, Anand Suvarna had paid Rs 34,730 towards 12 years of property tax for his building in Kalmadi to Shalini on October 16, 2025. She reportedly issued him a receipt acknowledging the payment.
However, when Suvarna recently checked the status of the payment on the property tax portal, he found that the amount had not been credited and was still shown as pending. He then brought the matter to the notice of the Municipal Commissioner, who verified that the payment had not been recorded.
During questioning, Shalini allegedly admitted to the lapse. On February 16, 2026, she generated a new challan in Suvarna’s name and paid Rs 35,213 towards the dues.
Police said a case has been registered at the Udupi City Police Station against the accused for allegedly misappropriating tax money and defrauding the government by affixing the seal of Union Bank on the challan without remitting the amount initially received from the taxpayer.
Further investigation is under way.
