Celebrated actor and former lawmaker Sarah Begum Kabori has died after contracting Covid-19. She was 70.

She was pronounced dead by doctors at the Sheikh Russel National Gastroliver Institute and Hospital at around 12:20am on Saturday, her son Shaker Chishti told the media.

She was on life support since Thursday as her health was steadily deteriorating.

On April 8, she was moved to intensive care unit (ICU) of the Sheikh Russel National Gastroliver Institute and Hospital from the Kurmitola General Hospital where she was being treated for Covid-19.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock and condolences over the actor’s demise.

In a condolence message, the president said that Kabori was a shining star of Bangla cinema. Her death is an irreparable loss for the country's film industry. People will always remember her contribution to Bengali cinema with reverence.

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In her condolence message, Sheikh Hasina, echoing the president's sentiments, said: “Kabori was a bright star of the film industry in this country. Besides acting, her contribution in the field of politics and culture will forever be remembered.”

The two-time National Film Award winner, who bagged the first for her role in "Sareng Bou" in 1978 and later claimed the Lifetime Achievement award in 2013, was hospitalized on April 5.

Kabori made her big screen debut when she was only 13 years old, and garnered immense popularity for her portrayals. She has paired up with the biggest names of the Bangladeshi film industry including Razzak, Farooque, Bulbul Ahmed, Alamgir, Sohel Rana and Ujjal.

From participating in the country’s Liberation War and appearing in a broadcast of Radio India during the war to engaging in political activities in her later years, Kabori’s life and achievements, both in her private and professional life, are bound to intrigue many fans and readers.

Kabori made her directorial debut in 2006 with the film "Aina." She later began working on her second film "Ei Tumi Se Tumi" as director , with a grant from the government in 2018-2019 fiscal year, but the project remained unfinished.

She was elected as a member of parliament in 2008 from the Narayanganj 4 constituency with the Awami League's ticket.