Staff Correspondent

Popular film actor SM Aslam Talukder, popularly known as Manna to his fans, died of a heart attack Sunday, hospital officials said. He was 48. Manna was rushed to the United Hospital in Gulshan Sunday morning and died shortly after arriving, his family told bdnews24.com.

Manna, who reached the dizzying height of his popularity after starring in films such as Ammajan, won the best actor award in 2006. He starred in over 200 films as well as becoming a producer.

The veteran actor was secretary general of the Bangladesh Film Actors Association, and in that capacity he played a significant role in the campaign against "vulgarity, obscenity and piracy" in Dhaliwood films. A Dhaka film industry analyst said films starring Manna, and his perennial interest Champa, were often hugely popular and profitable.

One of the first films that brought Manna to attention was Danga , premiered in 1992. Other Manna blockbusters were Trash, Chadabaz and Abbazan. The veteran actor is survived by his wife and son. Manna will be buried after his wife Sheli Quader, a Biman employee, returns from Dubai, a relative told bdnews24.com.