Riaz reportedly leaves country amid speculation, no confirmation

Actor Riaz Ahmed has reportedly left Bangladesh for the United States amid speculation over his whereabouts, but the report has not been independently confirmed.

A media report claimed that Riaz secretly left the country for the US on Wednesday (September 16). Neither Riaz nor his family has made any public statement confirming his departure.

According to the report, there has been speculation in film circles that the actor travelled to the United States through Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on September 16. However, an airport source reportedly told the media outlet that officials had not noticed any such departure. The source also suggested that he could have left through a land port.

Riaz’s whereabouts have been the subject of speculation for some time. On the night of August 6, 2024, he reportedly went to the airport intending to travel to the US via Dubai on an Emirates flight. Several media outlets subsequently reported that he was turned back from the airport.

Since then, the actor has largely remained out of public view and has not been seen at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) or public events for an extended period. Reports have also said his personal mobile phone number has remained switched off. Leaders of the Bangladesh Film Artists Association have reportedly been unable to confirm his current whereabouts.

Riaz returned to the headlines on September 3 after reports emerged that he had sought anticipatory bail in two murder cases linked to the July movement. He appeared in person before the High Court and sought bail, but the court did not grant his application after hearing the petitions.

His prolonged absence has previously triggered various rumours, including false reports on social media claiming that he had died. His wife later dismissed those reports as baseless and said that Riaz was well. The family, however, has not publicly disclosed his current location.

Riaz began his career as a trained pilot in the Bangladesh Air Force before entering the film industry in the mid-1990s with Banglar Nayok. He went on to become one of the country's popular film actors, appearing in commercially successful movies including Praner Cheye Priyo, Hridoyer Ayna, Premer Taj Mahal, O Priya Tumi Kothay, Hajar Bochor Dhore and Mollabarir Bou.

He also appeared in several television dramas by renowned writer Humayun Ahmed. His most recent released film, Operation Sundarbans, hit cinemas in 2022.

The actor’s reported departure for the United States remains unverified, and no official statement from Riaz or his family has been issued.