Dhallywood Legend actor-choreographer Javed Dies at 82

Legendary film actor and dancer Javed, a prominent figure of the golden era of Dhallywood, has passed away. He breathed his last on Wednesday (January 21) at around 11:30am at a hospital in Uttara, Dhaka, after a long battle with illness. He was 82 and had been suffering from cancer.

Javed, whose real name was Raja Mohammad Ilias, had been battling cancer for an extended period. His wife, actress Dolly Chowdhury, confirmed that his condition worsened critically on Wednesday. Although he had recently been receiving treatment at home, he was rushed to the hospital after becoming unresponsive, where doctors pronounced him dead at 11:30 a.m. A Versatile Legacy Born in Peshawar in 1944, Javed began his career in the 1960s as a choreographer before transitioning to leading roles. He made his acting debut in the 1964 film Nayi Zindagi and went on to star in nearly 200 films. Known for his unique blend of acting and dance, Javed became a household name with hits such as: • Nishan (his most celebrated performance) • Malka Banu • Anek Din Agey • Saheb Bibi Beyond his on-screen presence, Javed was a prolific dance director, lending his expertise to over 100 films. Zayed Khan, former general secretary of the Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association, expressed deep mourning, noting that Javed's contribution to Dhallywood remains unparalleled. Javed is survived by his wife, Dolly Chowdhury, whom he married in 1984. His passing marks the end of an era for the Bangladeshi film industry.