Robert Ashby

Robert Ashby (born Rashid Suhrawardy) was a British Bangladeshi actor. He worked on stage, television and film.

Robert Ashby
Born
Rashid Suhrawardy

1940
London, United Kingdom
Died7 February 2019 (aged 79)
London, United Kingdom
CitizenshipBritish
Alma materUniversity of Oxford
OccupationActor
Parents

Early life and career

Ashby was born as Rashid Suhrawardy to Pakistani (Bengali) politician Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, who served as the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and a Russian mother of Polish descent, actress Vera Alexandrovna Tiscenko Calder.[1]

He received his early education at Charterhouse School and graduated from the University of Oxford.[2] He attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and later joined the Royal Shakespeare Company.[2] Described by Pakistan Today as "the quintessential theatre actor",[1] on screen he was known for playing Jawaharlal Nehru in the film Jinnah (1998)[2] and a Doctor Who villain, the Borad, in the serial Timelash (1985).[3]

Politics

In politics, Ashby was deeply committed to the people of Bangladesh. During the Bangladesh Liberation War, he was very vocal and, as a result of that, he had a strained relationship with his sisters and others in Karachi. He was invited to join politics in Bangladesh but declined, citing his language issues and saying that "he was not as great as his father". However, he headed Awami League's election steering committee in 1996. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her "profound shock and sorrow" at the news of his death.[4]

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References
  1. Niazi, Abdullah (17 February 2019). "Exeunt Rashid Suhrawardy". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  2. "Rashid Suhrawardy passes away in London". The News International.
  3. Mulkern, Patrick. "Timelash ★". Radio Times. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  4. "The life and times of Rashid Suhrawardy". Dhaka Tribune. 11 February 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2020.


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