Dhaka: Notable film director of the country, Shahidul Islam Khokon passed away at a hospital in capital’s Uttara on Monday morning. He was at 59.

The film maker breathed his last at about 8:30am at Uttara Adhunik Hospital, said Mushfiqur Rahman Guljar, general secretary of Chalachitra Porichalak Samity.

Khokon had long been suffering from motor neuron disease.

He was admitted to the hospital as his condition deteriorated on 31 December, 2015.

Making his directional debut with film Rokter Bondi, Khokon made several films like Loraku, Birpurush, Bojromusthi, Biplob, Akorma, Shotorka Shoitan, Bishdant, Top Rongbaj, Utthan Poton, Lal Sabuj and Palabi Kothai.

Shahidul Islam also played in films and dramas. Khokhon was praised for his acting as the main protagonist in the film Utthan Poton in 1992.