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The nation is all set to celebrate Victory Day today. The country celebrates the day to commemorate the defeat of the Pakistan Armed Forces in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 and the independence of Bangladesh. However, this day hits differently for every freedom fighter. Along with mass people and soldiers, famous people from our entertainment industry also took part in the great Liberation War. The Business Post’s Purba Zannat brings you the highlights of people in the entertainment industry of Bangladesh, who fought for the country and achieved victory for our nation
Farooque
Akbar Hossain Pathan, known by the screen name Farooque, is not only a famous actor but also a freedom fighter. In the liberation war, he was closely associated with and fought alongside guerrilla legend ‘Nader Gunda’ as his second in command. During Operation Searchlight, on March 25, he participated in the very first resistance of the liberation war at Malitola as second in command of their guerrilla force commanded by ‘Nader Gunda’. After the killing of ‘Nader Gunda’ by Pakistani forces, Farooque succeeded as commander and continued the fighting.
Debuting with the film ‘Jolchobi’ in 1971, Farooque appeared in over 150 films in a career spanning more than five decades.
Jashim
Late actor Abul Khayer Jashim Uddin, professionally known as Jashim, was also a freedom fighter. He fought in the Liberation War at sector 2 under Major ATM Haider. Debuting with the film ‘Debor’ back in 1972, Jashim starred in more than 200 films in his illustrious career. After the death of the actor, the “Muktijoddha Chitronayok Jasim Floor” (Freedom Fighter Film Actor Jasim) at BFDC, was named after him.
Jashim debuted as a lead actor in the film Shobuj Shathi, directed by Delowar Jahan Jhontu.
Asaduzzaman Noor
Bangladeshi actor, politician, and activist Asaduzzaman Noor is also a freedom fighter who actively participated in the liberation war. The ‘Baker Bhai’-famed actor came to politics during the Pakistan period in 1962. During the time of the Liberation War, Noor left Dhaka and came back to Nilphamari when he received an order from his political party on March 8. There he helped the East Pakistan Rifles. He crossed the border during the War of Liberation on April 8. Noor was a freedom fighter under Sector-6 and helped organised the war and took training. He also helped to recruit freedom fighters during the nine-month war.
The actor began his career in the entertainment industry with theatre when he joined Nagorik Theatre in 1973. Noor’s first television drama “Rang-er Phanush” was directed by Abdullah al Mamun in 1974. The actor also had a few appearances in films. His performance as a freedom fighter in Humayun Ahmed’s ‘Aguner Poroshmoni’ was quite a tear-jerker for moviegoers.
Shaheen Samad
Nazrul Sangeet singer Shaheen Samad is a former artiste of the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, the clandestine radio station that broadcast to revolutionaries and the occupied population during the Bangladesh Liberation War. During the Liberation War in 1971, Samad joined a cultural troupe, named Bangladesh Mukti Shangrami Shilpi Shangstha. They used to travel to refugee camps and different areas in Muktanchal, perform patriotic songs, arrange puppet shows, and stage dramas to inspire freedom fighters and people with the spirit of war. She visited refugee camps, villages, and camps of freedom fighters. She performed for them to encourage the fighters so that they wouldn’t lose hope.
Syed Hasan Imam
Freedom fighter and cultural personality Syed Hasan Imam started his career in 1961. Between 1966 and 1971, the actor conducted plays and mass songs on the stage with progressive student organisations and political parties.
In February 1971, Hasan Imam convened a platform of artists called ‘Bikkhubdha Shilpi Samaj’. The organisation boycotted Pakistan Radio and Television programs due to the sayings of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Under the pressure of the mass movement, the Pakistani government was forced to hand over the responsibility of television airing to the community on March 8. After March 25, Hasan Imam moved to Mujib Nagar and joined the Liberation War. In 1971, he served as the head of the theatre department of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra.
Fakir Alamgir
Bangladeshi folk and pop singer Fakir Alamgir worked with Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, the radio station that played a significant role during the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971.
His strong voice helped encourage the protest at that time. As a vocalist, he spread the spirit of victory, the light of courage in the minds of freedom fighters. Alamgir is the founder of the cultural organization “Wrishiz Shilpi Gosthi” in 1976. He served as the president of Gono Sangeet Shamanya Parishad (GSSP). Some of his notable songs are ‘O Sokhina’, ‘Shantahar’, ‘Nelson Mandela’, ‘Naam Tar Chhilo John Henry’ and ‘Banglar Comrade Bondhu’.
