Bangladeshi film actor Khalil Ullah Khan, whose career spanned over five decades, passed away on Sunday. He died at Square Hospitals Limited in Dhaka around 10 am. He was 80, bdnews24 reported.

Khalil had been suffering from lung, liver and kidney ailments for some years. He had been hospitalised several times after falling critically ill.

A condolence message on his death was posted on the Facebook page of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s press wing.

The actor from Sylhet made his debut on the silver screen with Sonar Kajol, directed by Zahir Raihan and Kalim Sharafi. He then went on to star in about 800 films, including Preet Na Jane Reet, Bhawal Sannashi, Jongli Phool, Bini Sutar Mala, Wada, Bou Kotha Kow, Sonar Cheye Dami, Megher Pore Megh and Modhumoti, among others.

Khalil earned appreciation for his role as Mia on BTV play Sangsaptak. He was also the president of the Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association.

His first national award came for Alamgir Kumkum’s Gunda, which saw him acting opposite Sumita Devi and Sultana Zaman, while in 2012 he won a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ in recognition of his contribution to the country’s film industry.