‘If I live, we will meet again on a bigger canvas’
After 15 months in London undergoing treatment for a brain tumour, legendary actor Ilias Kanchan briefly returned to Dhaka on August 3, bringing immense joy to his fans, friends and colleagues in the showbiz industry.
The Daily Star had the opportunity to visit Kanchan at his Gulshan-1 residence before he leaves Dhaka at midnight today ( August 12). Away from the cameras and the spotlight, his home offers a glimpse into a life in which cinema is not merely a profession, but an inseparable part of his identity.
The first thing that catches the eye upon entering the flat is the dining room wall, adorned with several posters and photographs. One is from the film “Adil”, another from “Kung Fu Konna”, while a family photograph hangs alongside them.
The photograph brings together some of the most cherished people in Kanchan’s life — his late wife, Jahanara Kanchan, and their children, Ishrat Jahan Ema and Mirajul Moin Joy. Frozen in time, the image carries memories of a family and a life once shared.
For Joy, these are more than photographs adorning the walls of their home. They are among his father’s most treasured memories.
“The pictures you see here are some of Abba’s favourites. There is another picture of him with a football in the drawing room, which is also very dear to him. The photograph of our family was taken at Dhaka Club. I was five years old at the time. It was taken around the time of my circumcision ceremony. All the pictures you see on the walls of our home are among Abba’s favourites,” Joy recalled.
The traces of Kanchan’s life extend beyond photographs. Several bookshelves beside the dining table are packed with books, offering a quiet glimpse into another side of the actor — a man who once spent considerable time reading.
Some of the books now carry a thin layer of dust, perhaps reflecting the long period during which illness kept him away from his usual routine. Yet the shelves do not feel forgotten. The books seem to be waiting to be opened again, as if patiently awaiting their owner’s return.
In the drawing room, another chapter of Kanchan’s journey unfolds through a large showcase filled with the awards, crests and honours he has received throughout his illustrious career.
Since his return, several of his beloved colleagues have visited him at his Gulshan residence. Among them were renowned actors Alamgir, Shabnam, Rozina, Anwara, Suchanda, Champa, Bapparaj, Mukti and Samrat, along with members of the Film Artistes Association and Lamia Chowdhury, daughter of late actress Diti, among many others.
Reunited with his colleagues after such a long time, Kanchan has revisited old memories, sung songs and spent time chatting with them. At times, he has also been overcome with emotion, quietly wiping away tears.
When the veteran actor settled into the drawing room, his eyes seemed to hold countless stories. However, his illness has made it difficult for him to speak clearly. He returned to Bangladesh largely to see the people he holds dear — people he had deeply missed during his 15 months abroad.
After sitting quietly for some time, Kanchan told The Daily Star, “I believe the people of this country will carry forward the Nirapad Sarak Chai movement with the same love and support. I am leaving that responsibility in the hands of the people of Bangladesh. My love for the people of the film industry is lifelong. If I live, we will meet again on a bigger canvas. I feel relieved to be back in the country. Being able to meet the people I love is a great joy for me.”
Kanchan had been undergoing treatment in London since April 2025 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. Following his diagnosis, he received treatment at a hospital there while staying at his daughter Ema’s home.
Asked about his father’s current health, Joy told The Daily Star, “With everyone’s prayers, Abba is doing better than before. He will not need chemotherapy anymore. After returning there today, he will undergo a medical examination on August 19. The doctors are hopeful that Abba will make a full recovery.”
Reports published in several media outlets recently claimed that Ilias Kanchan could no longer recognise people. Addressing the reports, Joy said, “Some people are reporting things without knowing the facts. Abba can recognise everyone. There is no problem with his memory. His tumour is located in the speech area of the brain. As a result, he sometimes struggles to organise and express what he wants to say.”
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