“Death is a reality of life. Everyone has to die. We have to accept this truth and life goes on,” said Khaled Khan when I was his student at ULAB.
“Khaled Khan is no more” –this sentence plunged not only his family, but also his fans, colleagues and thousands of admirers intothe deepest of griefs.
Eminent actor and director Khaled Khan died at Birdem Hospital in the capital on Friday. His body was first taken to his long time workplace University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh and then the Central Shaheed Minar on the Dhaka University Campus yesterday where hundreds of people from all walks of life paid their tributes to him.
The body was taken to the Dhaka University Central Mosque around 12:30pm where his first namaz-e-janazawas held after Zohr prayers. He was buried at his family graveyard in Mirzapur upazila of Tangail after second janaza.
Before falling ill, he acted as Bishu Pagla in leading theatre troupe Nagarik Natya Sampraday’s acclaimed production Roktokorobi.
Veteran theatre personality Ataur Rahman, the helmsman of Nagarik, sad: “Khaled Khan was involved in almost every major productions of the troupe. He was a real perfectionist. His presence on stage was always charming.”
The flamboyant personality was known for greeting everyone with a pleasant smile no matter where he met them, said Khan’s long time colleague and friend thespian Mamunur Rashid. Sharing his memories, Rashid said: “His most unforgettable quality was using apt pauses in a sentence. It took him literally moments to captivate the hearts of the audience. His loyalty towards his job and ideals was absolutely pure. It is a matter of great sadness that we lost him so early.”
Eminent actor Tariq Anam Khan said: “He was a dedicated actor. Such a devoted cultural personality is rare.”
Another theatre personality Nasiruddin Yousuff Bachchu said: “He was a complete artiste. But it is very unfortunate that he lived an incomplete life since he had to pass away so early.”
Khaled Khan joined Nagorik Natya Sampradaya in 1978. His extraordinary acting in theatre productions such as Dewan Gazir Kissa, Nurul Diner Sara Jibon, Galileo, Roktokorobi and Dorpon will be remembered for years.
He acted in over 30 plays for Nagarik Natya Sampraday and directed over 10. His last direction on stage was Subachan Natya Sangsad’s Rupaboti. He had also directed Muktodhara, Putul Khela, Kalshondhay, Master Builder, Khudito Pashan and many more. He received numerous awards for his contributions in theatre including the IT Theatre Award 2013.
Aupee Karim who shared stage with Khan in Roktokorobi, which was his last performance as a theatre actor, shares: “Sir was like an institution. From pronunciation, dialogue throwing, acting, singing—he was always there for me to guide. I still don’t believe he is no more.” She adds: “I was not in Bangladesh for quite a long time and got back very recently. That made a gap from him naturally. I’m still in the state that the gap is continuing and I will meet him soon.”
The multifaceted artist first appeared on the television screen in Shiri Ghor. His roles in Imdadul Haque Milon’s Rupnagar and Humayun Ahmed’s Eishob Dinratri were particularly popular. One of his popular dialogues from the 1990s TV serial Rupnagar – “Chhi Chhi Chhi Tumi Ato Kharap” – became immensely popular.
Celebrated TV actor Tauqir Ahmed, who shared the screen with Khan in Rupnagar and few more, said: “When I began my journey as an actor in TV media, Khaled Khan was one of the role models in front of me. He was always like an elder brother.”
Veteran actor Hasan Imam said: “His responsibility towards the nation was clear in his creations and also in his personal life.”
He also lent voice to hundreds of advertisements. Recently, he gave voice in Amitabh Reza’s TV commercials Join Army and Grameenphone’s On Air Version. Remembering Khan, Reza shares: “His voice was crystal clear and uniquely elegant.”
He worked as treasurer for the University of Liberal arts Bangladesh. He previously served as the university’s registrar, finance director and deputy director of institution.
Khaled Khan is survived by his wife Mita Haque, an eminent Tagore singer, and daughter Farhin Khan Joyeeta.