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Behind the murder of actress Shimu: She was found chopped 24hrs after missing
Published : Sunday, 23 August, 2026 at 3:27 PM
Observer Online Report
The murder of actress Raima Islam Shimu once sparked widespread discussion.
For almost a day, the story remained intact: Bangladeshi actress Raima Islam Shimu had left home for a shoot at 7AM on January 16, 2022, and disappeared.
Her phone went unanswered. She never reached the location. By the following morning, two missing-person reports had been filed.
Then police found a sack in the bushes near a bridge outside Dhaka where Raima's body was cut into two pieces.
The investigation initially reached into the film industry and drew a prominent actor into questioning.
But the clue that changed everything was found much closer to home. It was waiting inside the family car.
Raima Islam Shimu was a familiar face in Bangladesh's entertainment industry, although details about her early life remain limited.
Even her year of birth has been reported differently. The Daily Star listed it as 1977, while Bengali daily Jugantar stated that she was born in 1987.
Raima began her career in theatre before attracting the attention of National Award-winning filmmaker Kazi Hayat. Impressed by her talent, he cast her in Bartaman, which was released in 1998 and marked her film debut.
She went on to appear in around 25 Bangladeshi films until 2002. Raima also remained active on stage, reportedly performing in nearly 50 plays, and became a recognised face on television.
For almost a day, the story remained intact: Bangladeshi actress Raima Islam Shimu had left home for a shoot at 7AM on January 16, 2022, and disappeared.
Her phone went unanswered. She never reached the location. By the following morning, two missing-person reports had been filed.
Then police found a sack in the bushes near a bridge outside Dhaka where Raima's body was cut into two pieces.
The investigation initially reached into the film industry and drew a prominent actor into questioning.
But the clue that changed everything was found much closer to home. It was waiting inside the family car.
Raima Islam Shimu was a familiar face in Bangladesh's entertainment industry, although details about her early life remain limited.
Even her year of birth has been reported differently. The Daily Star listed it as 1977, while Bengali daily Jugantar stated that she was born in 1987.
Raima began her career in theatre before attracting the attention of National Award-winning filmmaker Kazi Hayat. Impressed by her talent, he cast her in Bartaman, which was released in 1998 and marked her film debut.
She went on to appear in around 25 Bangladeshi films until 2002. Raima also remained active on stage, reportedly performing in nearly 50 plays, and became a recognised face on television.
Her final film, Jamai Sashur, was released in 2002.
Marriage And A Life Behind The Camera
While working in the entertainment industry, Raima met Dhaka businessman Shakhawat Ali Nobel. They fell in love and married in 2004.
Raima stepped away from films after marriage but continued working in television. She produced several programmes, established her own production house and worked in the marketing department of a private television channel.
The couple had two children and lived in Dhaka's Green Road area.
From the outside, Raima appeared to have settled into a quieter life away from cinema. What investigators later uncovered inside that home told a very different story.
While working in the entertainment industry, Raima met Dhaka businessman Shakhawat Ali Nobel. They fell in love and married in 2004.
Raima stepped away from films after marriage but continued working in television. She produced several programmes, established her own production house and worked in the marketing department of a private television channel.
The couple had two children and lived in Dhaka's Green Road area.
From the outside, Raima appeared to have settled into a quieter life away from cinema. What investigators later uncovered inside that home told a very different story.
What happened on January 16, 2022
According to Shakhawat, Raima left home at around 7 am after saying that she had to attend a shoot.
But she never arrived.
As the hours passed, Raima's sister Fatima Nisha repeatedly tried calling her. There was no response. Fatima eventually contacted Shakhawat and asked if he knew where her sister was.
"She left for shooting at 7 a.m. and hasn't been heard from since. She hasn't even reached the shooting location she was supposed to be at," he told her.
Raima did not return that night.
On the morning of January 17, Fatima went to the police and filed a missing-person report. Shakhawat later lodged another report at Kalabagan police station.
At that point, there was no body and no apparent crime scene. Only a missing actress who seemed to have vanished on her way to work.
Then came the call from Keraniganj.
According to Shakhawat, Raima left home at around 7 am after saying that she had to attend a shoot.
But she never arrived.
As the hours passed, Raima's sister Fatima Nisha repeatedly tried calling her. There was no response. Fatima eventually contacted Shakhawat and asked if he knew where her sister was.
"She left for shooting at 7 a.m. and hasn't been heard from since. She hasn't even reached the shooting location she was supposed to be at," he told her.
Raima did not return that night.
On the morning of January 17, Fatima went to the police and filed a missing-person report. Shakhawat later lodged another report at Kalabagan police station.
At that point, there was no body and no apparent crime scene. Only a missing actress who seemed to have vanished on her way to work.
Then came the call from Keraniganj.
A Sack Near Hazratpur Bridge
Residents had noticed a suspicious sack lying in bushes near Hazratpur Bridge. When police reached the spot and opened it, they discovered the body of a woman.
It had been cut into two pieces and bore multiple injuries.
The remains were sent to Mitford Hospital for an autopsy. Raima's brother, Shahidul Islam, was called to identify the body.
The search was over. The murder investigation had begun.
Residents had noticed a suspicious sack lying in bushes near Hazratpur Bridge. When police reached the spot and opened it, they discovered the body of a woman.
It had been cut into two pieces and bore multiple injuries.
The remains were sent to Mitford Hospital for an autopsy. Raima's brother, Shahidul Islam, was called to identify the body.
The search was over. The murder investigation had begun.
Police questioned Raima's relatives, colleagues and others connected to her professional life. One name immediately attracted attention.
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
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Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
