Remembering the stars we lost in 2022

Although this year gave us a lot, but we lost several stars from the country’s entertainment industry. This year has taught us how to accept and let go, no matter how hard or inconvenient it has invariably seemed. While their absence saddens us, their memories and contributions are vivid in our minds. As the year is about to end, The Business Post’s Purba Zannat takes a moment to remember the stars we lost in 2022.

Gazi Mazharul Anwar

Born in 1943, legendary Bangladeshi lyricist, director, producer, and screenwriter Gazi Mazharul Anwar started his career as a lyricist at Radio Pakistan. His career in the Dhallywood film industry began in 1965. Later he directed 19 films. In his long career of six decades, Gazi Mazharul Anwar penned lyrics for around 20,000 songs. He gave legendary songs like, ‘Joy Bangla Banglar Joy’, ‘Ekbar Jete De Na’, ‘Ektara Tui Desher Kotha’, ‘Bondhu Tin Din Tor Barite Gelam’, ‘Ei Mon Tomake Dilam’ and many more. His work in Bangla cinema began with the film ‘Ayna O Oboshishto’ by legendary director Subhash Dutta. Three of his songs have been included in the list of the ‘Twenty greatest Bengali songs’, made by BBC Bangla. The country lost the musician on September 4.

Alam Khan

This year, the country lost eminent composer and music director Alam Khan. Born in 1943, Alam Khan was awarded the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Music Director five times. Khan began his musical career by collaborating with musicians like Satya Shaha, Altaf Mahmud, and Robin Ghosh. His debut solo work was in the 1970 movie ‘Kanch Kata Heere.’ He achieved fame with the song ‘O Re Neel Doriya’, and he later went on to win National Film Awards for movies like ‘Boro Bhalo Lok Chhil’o. ‘Teen Konya’, ‘Surrender’, ‘Dinkal’, ‘Bagher Thaba’, ‘Ebadot’, and many more. He died on July 8.

Azizur Rahman

‘Chhutir Ghonta’ famed director Azizur Rahman passed away on March 15 in Canada. Although he first worked as an assistant to director Ehtesham in 1958 for the film ‘Ee Desh Tomar Amar’. His directorial debut was the 1967 film, Saiful Mulk Badiuzzamal. During his career, he directed 53 films in total.

Sharmili Ahmed

Actress Sharmili Ahmed started her career as a radio announcer and drama artiste on Rajshahi Radio in 1962. She made her debut as a film actress in 1964 and as a television actress in 1968. In her long career, she acted in nearly 400 films and 150 television programs. Some of her remarkable works are ‘Malancha’, ‘Agun’, ‘Abirvaab’, ‘Poush Phaguner Pala’, ‘Meherjaan’, ‘Abar Hawa Bodol (2014)’, ‘Brishtir Pore (2005)’, ‘Amader Ananda Bari (2005)’, ‘Anchol (2006)’, ‘Aguntuk (2005)’, ‘Poshak (2005)’, ‘Chheleti (2011)’, ‘Uposhonghar (2010)’, ‘Chena Manusher Panchalee (2007)’, ‘Dhupchhaya (2009)’ and many more. The actress died on July 8.

Masum Aziz

Ekushey Padak-winning actor and playwright Masum Aziz started his journey as an actor in 1972. He performed on stage and television and in film.

While studying at the University of Chittagong, he made his acting debut in theatre. In 1985, he debuted in TV drama. Masum starred in more than 400 TV dramas and notable films. He was honoured with the National Film Award for his performance in ‘Ghani’ in 2006.

Apart from this, he was awarded the Ekushey Padak, the country’s second-highest civilian award, this year for his contribution to acting. The actor died on October 17.

KG Mostafa

Renowned lyricist KG Mostafa, the legendary lyricist of numerous evergreen songs from the golden era of Bengali cinema, is known for writing many popular songs, including ‘Tomare Legeche Eto Je Bhalo, Chaand Bujhi Ta Jaane’ from the movie ‘Rajdhanir Buke’ (1960) starring Rahman-Shabnam. Born on July 1st, 1936, in Begumganj of Noakhali district, KG Mostafa completed his Alma Matters at the Department of Bangla at Dhaka University. He then began his career as a lyricist and journalist. This iconic track was composed by Pakistani-Bangladeshi playback singer and film music composer Robin Ghosh and sung by famous Indian singer Talat Mahmood. ‘Ogo Lajuk Lata,’ ‘Shohorbashi Shono’ are some of the other popular songs penned by KG Mostafa. The lyricist died in this March.

Akbar

‘Ityadi’-famed singer Akbar Ali Gazi breathed his last on November 13. Akbar, who was a rickshaw puller, became an overnight star by performing his song ‘Tomar Haat Pakhar Baatase’ on the popular television programme ‘Itiyadi’ on BTV and also starring in a music video with popular Dhallywood heroine Purnima. He released numerous tracks and several albums. Akbar also performed in stage shows all over the globe.