A.K. Ratul, vocalist, bassist, and sound engineer of the rock band Owned, has passed away. The tragic news was confirmed to Prothom Alo by the band’s lyricist, Siam Ibn Alam.
According to Siam, Ratul collapsed due to a sudden cardiac arrest while exercising at a gym in Uttara around 3:30 PM on Sunday. He was immediately taken to Uttara Crescent Hospital and later transferred to Lubana General Hospital and Cardiac Centre, where doctors pronounced him dead about an hour later. He died while under treatment around 5 PM.
Ratul was the middle son of iconic Bangladeshi film actor Jashim, who passed away in 1998 at the age of 48. Though Ratul and his brothers chose not to follow in their father’s footsteps into acting, all three carved out their own paths in the country’s music scene.
Ratul was a key figure in Owned, known not only for his powerful vocals and bass playing but also for his expertise as a sound engineer. His younger brother A.K. Sami serves as the band’s drummer, while the eldest brother A.K. Rahul plays guitar for Trainwreck and drums for Poraho.
Ratul’s passing has sent shockwaves through the music community. Musician Sufi Maverick wrote on Facebook, “Our Ratul is no more. I still can’t believe it.” Singer Alif Alauddin shared, “I’m stunned and deeply saddened by Ratul’s sudden death. He was one of the finest sound engineers in the country and a powerhouse voice of Owned. We’ve lost a bright light from our music scene. My prayers go out to his family and friends.”
Owned made its debut in 2014 with their album One, followed by Two in 2017, and an EP titled Eighteen in 2021. Apart from his work with Owned, Ratul also contributed to other musical projects, including the sound engineering for Phoenixer Diary–1 by Artcell.
Though over two decades have passed since Jashim’s death, the legendary actor continues to be remembered fondly by fans for his transition from a feared villain to a celebrated hero in Bangladeshi cinema. Today, the loss of his son Ratul adds a new chapter of grief to the family’s legacy—another life cut short too soon.
