DHAKA, Sept 21, 2023 (BSS)- Paying glowing tributes to eminent cultural personality Syed Salahuddin Zaki, Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said the demise of Zaki is an irreparable loss for the cultural arena specially when the country’s film industry is moving ahead.

“Such an eminent cultural figure like him was not created in a day,” he told reporters after placing floral wreath on the coffin of Salahuddin Zaki in front of Central Shaheed Minar in the city.

Dr Hasan said Zaki was a talented filmmaker, producer, director and scriptwriter and his first film ‘Ghuddi’ was a popular movie. The film's song "Abar Elo Je Shondha", gained widespread popularity along with the film itself, he added.

The minister said Zaki was Ekushey Padak winner and also served as the director general of Bangladesh Television (BTV). He also received National Film Award, he said, adding late Zaki was a good human being.

He prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.

Later, responding to a query of reporters over BNP’s road march the minister said BNP has declared the programme to prevent leaving their leaders from the party.

BNP would not be able to prevent the desertion of their leaders and formation of new political platform, he said asking BNP leaders how they would explain the leaving spree of their leaders from the party.

Later, the information minister joined a function of distributing ‘Shuddhachar Puroshkar’ among the employees of the ministry and departments under the ministry.

Information and Broadcasting Secretary Md Humayun Kabir Khandaker and senior officials were present on the occasion held in the conference room of the ministry.

Bangladesh Film Censor Board vice chairman Md Saifullah, assistant secretary Md Rashidul Karim, administrative officer Kohinur Akter Prity and office assistant Sheikh Md Saifullah received the award.