Bangladeshi comedian confirms he is alive after death hoax posts

Nipu’s photo was shared in this Facebook post on June 12, 2021.

The Bengali-language post translates in part as: “Mustafizur Rahman, the comedian who plays 'grandson' in a Bangladeshi [show], has died in a hospital in Rangpur today with breathing complications.”

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A screenshot of the misleading post taken on June 17, 2021

Showkat Ali Talukder Nipu is widely known in Bangladesh for his role as “grandson” in the television program Ityadi. He has played the role since 1993.

Mustafizur Rahman is a Bangladeshi comedian who died on June 10, according to this report by local news outlet Jago News 24, which is titled: "Ityadi’s ‘grandson’ is well, it’s comedian Mustafiz who has died".

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Screenshot of Jago News 24 taken on June 18, 2021.

Facebook posts here, here and here have also shared Nipu’s photo alongside a similar claim.

These posts, however, are misleading.

Nipu confirmed to AFP on June 15, 2021 that he is still alive.

“I am talking to you means I am alive. Some people get pleasure from spreading such fake news on Facebook. I have nothing more to say on this,” he told AFP.

Nipu also quashed claims he had died in this video posted June 12, 2021 on the Facebook page of broadcast network Channel i.

“I, the grandson of Ityadi, am alive with your prayers and God’s blessings. I seek your prayers so that I can live longer among you all,” he said in the video.

Nipu’s photo that was shared in the misleading posts has previously appeared in this profile piece published by the news organisation prothomalo.com in January 2021.

The comedian Mustafizur Rahman had indeed died on June 10 in Rangpur Medical College Hospital, as separately reported by local media including Ittefaq and Kaler Kantho.