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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3 killed in landslide during road widening at Hulikal ghats in K'taka, CM announces ex-gratia
Shivamogga (Karnataka) (PTI): Three labourers were killed and four others injured after a landslide struck a road construction site at Hulikal Ghat in this district, police said on Friday.
The deceased have been identified as Raghavendra (37), Raju (30), and Shabbir (40), all engaged in wall construction work at the site, they said.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a compensation of Rs five lakh each to the families of the deceased.
The incident occurred late Thursday afternoon at a hairpin bend in Hulikal Ghat in Hosanagara taluk, they said.
According to officials, a massive landslide of soil and rocks from the hillside buried the workers.
A total of seven workers were caught in the landslip. Three labourers died on the spot after being trapped under the debris.
Rescue teams managed to pull out four injured workers and shift them to hospitals in nearby areas, including Kundapura and Udupi, for treatment, they said.
The mishap took place during ongoing efforts to build a retaining wall aimed at ensuring the safety of vehicles navigating the ghat section, which is known for its steep curves and landslide-prone terrain.
An SDRF team from Mangaluru reached the place early Friday morning and took up relief work.
Police, fire and emergency personnel rushed to the spot soon after the incident and launched rescue operations.
Authorities said the sudden collapse of loose soil and rocks from the upper slope is suspected to have triggered the landslip.
A case has been registered, and an investigation is underway to ascertain whether adequate safety measures were in place at the worksite.
Taking to 'X', CM Siddaramaiah said that regarding the incident, I have spoken with District In-charge Minister Madhu Bangarappa and obtained information.
"I am deeply saddened to hear the news that three workers lost their lives when soil collapsed during the construction of a road barrier at a bend in Hulikal Ghat, in Hosanagara taluk of Shivamogga district. I pray that the souls of the deceased unfortunate workers attain eternal peace, and that their family members find the strength to bear this sorrow," he said.
These breadwinning lives, which were the support of their families, have been lost in this tragedy, and on humanitarian grounds, a compensation of Rs five lakh each will be provided to the families of the deceased workers, the chief minister added.
