Renowned Bangladeshi film actor Sanko Panja has passed away. He breathed his last on Thursday (May 29) at 2 PM while undergoing treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (PG Hospital) in Dhaka.

The news was confirmed by Sony Rahman, an executive member of the Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association. According to reports, Sanko Panja had been battling cancer for several years and had been in declining health.

His body will be taken to his in-laws' residence in Masumabad, Rupganj, Narayanganj. The funeral prayer (janaza) will be held there on Friday (May 30) at 10 AM, followed by burial. Originally from Mymensingh, Panja is survived by two daughters. He was an esteemed member of the Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association.

Sanko Panja suffered a serious injury during the shooting of Shakib Khan’s film Rajababu, after falling from a crane. He required multiple stitches on his head and face, and the aftermath of that injury prevented him from returning to regular shooting. Covering medical expenses became a financial burden for him.

Panja made his silver screen debut in 1997 with the film Mrityur Sathe Panja ("Fight with Death"). Over the course of his career, he acted in nearly 200 Bengali films, earning acclaim especially for his roles as a villain.