February 18, 2008	Monday	Safar 10, 1429

DHAKA, Feb 17: Bangladesh’s biggest film star Manna who dominated the country’s cinema as an action hero for more than two decades died of a heart attack on Sunday, his agent said.

S.M. Aslam, 44, better known by his nickname Manna, suffered a massive heart attack late on Saturday at his residence.

He died at a hospital in the capital Dhaka on Sunday, his agent Kunta, who uses one name, said.

Manna won the hearts of millions of Bangladeshis by playing the hero fighting against corruption in around 200 films since making his screen debut in 1985.

One of his directors, Siddiq Jamal Nantu, said Manna had at least 15 unfinished films in the works before he died.

Bangladesh’s film industry is based in Dhaka and produces around 100 low-budget films per year at an average cost of $100,000.—AFP