The residence of veteran actor and ‘Nirapad Sarak Chai’ (Nischa) chairman Ilias Kanchan, located on Road 136 in Gulshan-1, has been quieter than usual lately. However, the home regained its vibrant atmosphere last Saturday evening as colleagues and friends gathered to visit him. Among the visitors were legendary actress Suchanda and her sister, actress Champa, who arrived to see their long-time collaborator following his return to Bangladesh on August 3 after more than 15 months of medical treatment in the United Kingdom.
Ilias Kanchan’s son, Joy, opened the doors around 8:00 PM to welcome the guests. The bond between Kanchan, Suchanda, and Champa transcends professional ties, rooted in years of shared cinematic history and deep personal friendship. Upon hearing of his return, the sisters arrived with gifts, eager to see the actor who has been through a grueling health journey. Director Gazi Mahbub was also present, waiting alongside the family to greet the actor.
The actor had been resting after his Maghrib prayers, but around 9:00 PM, Joy brought his father to the living room. Kanchan appeared visibly moved and surprised to see Suchanda and Champa waiting for him. Despite the fatigue from his long illness, his face lit up with a genuine smile. The guests presented him with a bouquet of flowers, and as he looked at the familiar faces of his colleagues, the need for formal introductions vanished. The atmosphere turned emotional as Champa expressed her affection, telling him, “We love you.” When Kanchan reciprocated the sentiment and was asked how much he loved them, he gestured with his arms spread wide, drawing laughter from everyone in the room.
The group spent the evening reminiscing about their careers, including memories from the film ‘Tin Kanya,’ which was produced by Suchanda and starred Kanchan. For a few hours, the weight of his illness and the uncertainty of his recovery seemed to fade away. At the request of the sisters, Kanchan sang several songs, including the popular track “Ar Jabo Na America” from the film ‘Achena,’ with Suchanda and Champa joining in to lip-sync along with him.
As the night progressed, other figures from the film industry arrived, including actors Subrata and Jacky Alamgir, producer Khorshed Alam, and representatives from the Film Artists’ Association, Joy Chowdhury and Abir Chowdhury. Champa brought a bottle of Zamzam water, which she personally helped Kanchan drink, and presented him with several Panjabis, requesting that he wear them during his future trips to London.
The gathering continued until 10:30 PM, filled with laughter and shared stories. As the time for departure arrived, Suchanda and Champa prepared to leave, and Kanchan, mindful of his health, prepared for his Isha prayers and rest. Reflecting on the evening, Suchanda noted that the visit was a wonderful experience that clearly lifted Kanchan’s spirits, adding her hope for his continued recovery.
Ilias Kanchan’s health struggle began in April of last year, leading to his relocation to London for specialized care. He stayed at hospitals and at the home of his daughter, Ema Islam, throughout his treatment. In August of last year, he underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor. While surgeons successfully removed a significant portion, the full tumor could not be extracted due to medical risks, and he was subsequently diagnosed with brain cancer.
The recovery process was extensive, involving three phases of treatment. According to family sources, he underwent over 60 chemotherapy sessions, receiving treatment five days a week for 12 weeks. This was followed by two three-month cycles of oral therapy, totaling nearly 100 chemotherapy sessions. Since returning to Bangladesh, he has been visited by numerous industry peers, including Alamgir, Rozina, Anwara, and others, all offering their support as he continues his recovery journey.
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