Ekushey Padak-winning thespian Aly Zaker was laid to eternal rest at Banani graveyard in Dhaka on Friday afternoon.

He was buried around 4:35 pm following a namaz-e-janaza after Asr prayers.  

The body of the veteran actor was taken to the Liberation War Museum at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka at about 11:30am. His body was kept there for an hour.

Different socio-political and cultural organisations placed wreaths to his coffin.  He was given state honour at the museum. 

Later his body was then taken to his office Asiatic 360 Media Agency in Banani. Tributes poured in for the freedom fighter and eminent cultural personality.

Aly Zaker, also the chairman of Asiatic 3sixty, breathed his last around 6:40 am on Friday while undergoing treatment for Covid-19 at United Hospital in Dhaka.

He is survived by his wife, actress Sara Zaker, son Iresh Zaker and host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death.

The actor had been suffering from cancer and other health complexities for the last four years.

Earlier on November 17, he was admitted to Bangladesh Specialised Hospital, due to cardiac issues and later transferred to United Hospital. He also tested positive for Covid-19. 

Zaker, born on November 6, 1944, was one of the trustees in the Liberation War museum in Dhaka. 

He was the recipient of Ekushey Padak, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Award, Bangabandhu Award, Munier Chowdhury Award, Naren Biswas Award, among other accolades.

BDST: 1850 HRS, NOV 27, 2020
AP