Film activist Khasru dies

Muhammad Khasru, the pioneer of film society movement in Bangladesh, died at a city hospital yesterday. He was 70.

"He has been suffering from pneumonia, breathing problems, diabetes and asthma for a long time," Anjan Jahidur Rahim, president of Bangladesh Short Film Forum, told UNB.

Khasru had been living alone in Mohanpur village of Rohingpur. He was brought to Dhaka last month after his health deteriorated and was admitted to Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital.

His body will be kept at the Teacher-Student Centre of Dhaka University today from 11:00pm. His namaz-e-janaza will be held at the university's central mosque after Zohr prayers.

He will be laid to rest in Mohanpur village.

Khasru was renowned for his editorship of the “Drupodi” magazine and had been involved with the film industry for more than five decades.

His efforts led to the formation of the Film Studies Centre under the supervision of the Bangladesh Film Society Association. He led the movement which helped establish Bangladesh Film Federation of Film Societies and the National Film Archive.

He was honoured with a lifetime achievement award of Dhaka University Film Society in 2017.