Veteran Bangladeshi Film Actor Ilias Javed Passes Away at 82

Veteran Bangladeshi film actor Ilias Javed, a celebrated figure from the golden era of Dhallywood cinema, passed away on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the age of 82.

He died at his residence in Uttara, Dhaka, after a prolonged battle with illness, including cancer and various age-related health complications. His passing was confirmed by members of the Bangladesh Film Artists’ Association and his family.

Born in 1944 in Peshawar, then part of British India, Ilias Javed—whose real name was Raja Mohammad Ilias—entered the film industry initially as a dance director before gaining fame as a leading actor.

He made his acting debut in 1964 with the Urdu film Nai Zindagi, and gained widespread popularity with the 1966 Bengali film Payel.

Over his long and distinguished career, he appeared in nearly 200 films and was particularly remembered for his role in Nishan, among other notable movies, including Maleka Banu, Papi Shatru, Rokto Shopoth, Saheb Bibi Golam, Kajol Rekha, Onek Din Agey, and Abdullah.

Beyond acting, Javed also worked as a renowned choreographer early in his career and was admired for his versatility and contributions to Bangladeshi cinema. He married fellow actress Dolly Chowdhury in 1984. His death marks the end of an era for many fans and colleagues in the film industry, who have begun sharing tributes and memories of his impactful work on screen.

Sources: The Daily Star, Daily Sun, Prothom Alo