Background and career
Masud Rana Sheikh (born 28 March 1979),, known professionally as Shakib Khan, is a Bangladeshi actor and filmmaker who works in Bengali-language films. Over a career of about two decades, he has appeared in around 250 films and is often referred to in the media as “King Khan”. He has been described as one of the highest-paid actors in Bangladeshi cinema. He made his film debut in 1999 in the action romance Ananta Bhalobasha.
He played lead roles in films including Ajker Dapot, Mayer Jihad, Dujon Dujonar, Porena Chokher Polok, Sobar Upore Prem, Boba Khuni and Juddhe Jabo. His breakthrough came with Shahoshi Manush Chai, which was followed by Ajker Somaj, Noyon Bhora Jol, Palta Akromon, Badha and Khuni Shikder.
From 2006, he appeared in several commercially successful films, including Chachchu, Ek Takar Bou, Mayer Morjada, Rajdhanir Raja, Dadima, Amar Praner Priya, Koti Takar Kabin and Pitar Ason. Priya Amar Priya was reported to be the highest-grossing Bangladeshi film of the 2000s, and Number One Shakib Khan and Bhalobaslei Ghor Bandha Jay Na were also among the decade’s top-grossing films. Following the death of the actor Manna in 2008, Prothom Alo described him as the leading male star of the industry.
He has won four National Film Awards, eight Meril Prothom Alo Awards, three Bachsas Awards and five CJFB Performance Awards. He won his first National Film Award for Best Actor in 2010 for Bhalobaslei Ghor Bandha Jay Na, and later won for Aro Bhalobashbo Tomay (2015) and Swatta (2017).
