A vintage photo featuring actor Manna alongside Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has resurfaced on social media, attracting attention on a significant date in politics. The image gained momentum on February 17, coinciding with the anniversary of Manna’s passing in 2008 and also marking Tarique Rahman’s inauguration as Bangladesh’s 11th prime minister this year. The chance encounter between the two figures has sparked fresh interest in their brief interaction, captured in the photograph where they are seen sharing smiles and pleasantries at a public gathering. According to Shelly Manna, the actor’s spouse, the meeting occurred over twenty years ago during the Pahela Baishakh festivities at Ramna Batamul in Dhaka, likely post-2002 when the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) held office.
Shelly mentioned that the encounter was spontaneous, with Tarique Rahman expressing admiration for Manna’s acting skills. Their conversation reportedly revolved around films, the nation, and the involvement of celebrities in politics for national service. Shelly’s account is based on personal memory, as there is no independent documentation of the dialogue. Manna, originally Syed Mohammad Aslam Talukder, born on April 14, 1964, in Elenga, Kalihati, Tangail, emerged as a prominent actor in the 1990s and early 2000s. He made his debut in 1984 through the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation’s “New Face” initiative and gained recognition with the film “Danga” (1991) directed by Kazi Hayat.
Throughout his career spanning over two decades, he starred in 200+ films, including notable titles like “Ammajan,” “Abbajan,” “Khalnayak,” “Sultan,” “Dhakaiya Mastan,” “Big Boss,” and “Ami Jail Theke Bolchi.” Manna passed away at the age of 43 on February 17, 2008, due to a heart attack. His on-screen persona, often portraying champions of the marginalized, endeared him to the masses. Tarique Rahman, the BNP’s senior vice-chairman, assumed office as prime minister on February 17, 2026, following his party’s significant victory in the national elections, marking the BNP’s return to executive authority after almost two decades.