Noted actress Sarah Begum Kabori, who was on life support, passed away today at 12:20am at the capital's Sheikh Russel National Gastroliver Institute & Hospital.
She was 70.
The news was confirmed by Zayed Khan, General Secretary of Bangladesh Cholochitro Shipli Samiti.
National Award winning actor had recently tested positive for Covid-19. Initially, she was admitted to the capital's Kurmitola General Hospital. Later, she was shifted to the ICU in Sheikh Russel National Gastroliver Institute and Hospital, as her condition deteriorated.
Born in Chattogram, Kabori started acting professionally at the age of thirteen, when she starred in Subhash Dutta's "Sutorang".
She acted in numerous films throughout the 1970s and 80s, notably "Sujon Sokhi" and "Sareng Bou" with Farooque. In the 1970s, the duo of Razzak and Kabori became a household name. She also performed with Bulbul Ahmed in "Devdas", which brought her critical acclaim.
"Titash Ekti Nadir Naam", directed by Indian filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak, was also praised, as was her role in Urdu film "Bahana", directed by Zahir Raihan.
Her other notable films are "Shat Bhai Champa", "Arun Varun Kiran Mala" and "Lalon Fokir", among countless others.
Throughout her illustrious career, Kabori shared the screen with actors like Razzak, Alamgir, Sohel Rana, Ujjal, Wasim, Khan Ataur Rahman, Golam Mustafa, Anwar Hossain and A.T.M. Shamsuzzaman.
The actress authored a book titled "Sritituku Thaak".
She also actively participated in the Liberation War, donating blood to help the freedom fighters. Her stance, however, put her in danger, for which she had to later flee the country. She also met many prominent writers and directors after she went to India, and even worked on a film, "Joy Bangladesh", in Mumbai. Kabori is survived by her five sons.
