Nearly 29 years after the tragic death of Bangladeshi film icon Salman Shah, a court has finally ordered the reopening of his murder investigation. The Sixth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge of Dhaka, Janatul Ferdous Ibne Haque, has directed that the case be investigated by the Ramna police station.
Salman Shah, one of the most beloved actors in Dhallywood, was found dead on 6th September 1996. While speculation surrounding the true cause of his death has persisted for years, no substantial action was taken until now. Following the new order, Salman’s uncle, Alamgir Kumkum, has filed a case at Ramna police station. The lawsuit has named 11 individuals as defendants, including Salman’s ex-wife Samira Haque and the actor Don Haque, who was known for playing villainous roles.
Salman Shah’s family has long maintained that the actor was murdered in a premeditated plot. His mother, Neela Chowdhury, had previously accused the police of registering Salman’s death as a case of accidental death, despite their insistence that it was a homicide. The police had claimed that if the investigation into the accidental death revealed any signs of foul play, the case would automatically be reclassified as murder.
For years, the focus of suspicion has largely fallen on Salman’s ex-wife, Samira Haque. She, however, has always denied any involvement in the actor’s death. In an open interview last year, Samira commented on the issue, stating, “Those who commit suicide don’t leave notes… it’s suicide.” She also countered Neela Chowdhury’s accusations, saying, “When a child commits suicide in a household, do the parents get arrested? Why should I?”
Samira further argued that Salman had a “suicidal nature,” claiming that he had previously attempted suicide three times before their marriage. She cited records from Metropolitan Hospital that show two attempts, with another incident occurring in a different hospital. Samira explained that these attempts were linked to personal issues, including a quarrel with his mother and pressure around their marriage.
Following the recent court order to reopen the investigation, Samira has gone missing. For the past four days, attempts to contact her through her phone have been unsuccessful, with both direct calls and messages on WhatsApp going unanswered. Similarly, Don Haque, another defendant in the case, has not responded to multiple calls and text messages over the past few days.
Salman Shah made his debut in the early 1990s, and within just four years, he became a household name in the Bangladeshi film industry, starring in 27 films and earning widespread admiration. His tragic death at the age of 26 left fans and the industry in shock, and his memory has remained etched in the hearts of many. Now, with the case reopened, there is a renewed sense of hope among his supporters that the truth behind his death will finally come to light.
Witnesses who were present around the time of Salman’s death have shared details of the events leading up to that fateful day. On 6th September 1996, Salman was busy dubbing for the film Prem Piyasi at the Film Development Corporation (FDC). Actress Shabnur was also present at the dubbing session. Despite the playful atmosphere, there seemed to be underlying tension.
On that day, Salman called his father, asking him to bring Samira to the sound complex at FDC. As soon as he received the call, Salman’s father arrived at FDC with Samira. There, Samira saw Salman joking with Shabnur, which upset her, as the media had been circulating rumours about their relationship. After Salman’s father left, Samira quickly departed in a car. However, realising the situation was tense, Salman and film director Badal Khondkar also left in the same car.
As new developments unfold in the case, the hopes of fans and the public to uncover the truth about Salman Shah’s untimely death grow stronger.