Home ›› 16 May 2023 ›› Show Biz
Dhaka’s tinsel town woke up in awe on Monday with the news of the demise of legendary actor Farooque. There remained a sombre mood all day in the film arena and people from actors to technicians were reminiscing his memories and mourning his death.
Farooque passed away at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore 8:30am on Monday. He was 74.
Akbar Hossain Pathan made his acting debut in the 1971 film “Jolchobi,” directed by H Akbar, where he played the lead role opposite Kabori, with the screen name Farooque and continued to rule Dhallywood till the end of the 1980s.
He appeared in two liberation war-based films in 1973, “Abar Tora Manush Ho” directed by Khan Ataur Rahman and “Alor Michil” directed by Narayan Ghosh Mita. His performances in the 1975 films “Sujon Sokhi” and “Lathial” garnered commercial success and critical acclaim, with the latter earning him the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor.
In 1976, Farooque starred in three films – “Surjogrohon”, “Matir Maya” and “Noyonmoni” all of which received National Film Awards in various categories. He went on to act in films such as “Sareng Bou” directed by Abdullah Al Mamun and “Golapi Ekhon Traine” directed by Amjad Hossain, where despite these films being female-centric, Farooque’s acting received praise from critics.
His notable performances in films like “Nagordola”, “Din Jay Kotha Thake”, “Kotha Dilam”, “Jhinuk Mala”, “Matir Putul”, “Shaheb”, “Choto Ma”, “Atim”, “Ghor Jamai” and “Sokhi Tumi Kar” further solidified his popularity among the audience.
Beyond his remarkable performances in films like “Dosti”, “Sonar Tori”, “Janata Express”, “Masum”, “Hashu Amar Hashu”, “Mayer Anchal”, “Fulesshori”, “Sud Asol”, “Jibon Songshar”, “Koti Takar Kabir”, “Dadi Ma”, and more, Farooque received well-deserved acclaim for his acting prowess in the film ‘Ajibon Sommanona’ in 2016. His charismatic presence and profound talent have left an indelible mark on the world of cinema.
He shared a profound love with Farhana Pathan, whom he later married, and their union blessed them with two children, a daughter named Fariha Tabassum Hossian and a son named Rowshon Hossain.
Farooque’s political journey and entrepreneurial success
After gaining recognition from the film “Mia Bhai,” Farooque became widely known in the industry as ‘Mia Bhai’. He had a dream of directing a film based on his own story, but unfortunately, that dream remained unfulfilled. Alongside his involvement in the film industry, Farooque also found success as a businessman, serving as the managing director of his own manufacturing company, “Farooque Dyeing Knitting and Manufacturing Ltd” located in Gazipur.
Furthermore, Farooque actively participated in politics from his school days and was associated with the Awami League. In 1966, he took part in the Six-Point Movement. He also played a role in the glorious Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. In the 2018 general elections, Farooque, nominated by the Awami League, successfully contested the Dhaka-17 parliamentary constituency and emerged as a Member of Parliament.
Call for the Reverence of Freedom Fighters
Farooque, a freedom fighter, was not the one to seek recognition for his heroic contributions.
When questioned about this, he stated, “In our independent country, there is no true honour for freedom fighters. They endure hardships, driving rickshaws and doing daily wage labour. The heroic women who fought alongside me are like my mother, my sister, or someone’s wife. But today, their sacrifices are met with indifference. We have yet to establish the authentic history of the liberation war for the younger generation. Instead, we find ourselves engulfed in power struggles. It is essential that we honour the freedom fighters, both those who have laid down their lives and those who still walk among us. They deserve the utmost respect. I have heard discussions about the valour of freedom fighters in numerous places. I have personally witnessed people say to them, ‘Hey, aren’t you a freedom fighter? You fought!’ What kind of behaviour is that? As someone who cherishes freedom, it is only natural for me to feel deeply disheartened.”
Unbreakable Bond: Farooque and Babita
Farooque teamed up with many actresses throughout his long career, but one of his best on-screen pair is considered to be Babita. They have worked together in more than 30 films, including “Abar Tora Manush Ho,” “Golapi Ekhon Traine,” “Noyon Moni,” “Alor Michil,” “Lathial,” “Padma Meghna Jamuna,” and “Mia Bhai.”
Babita still cannot accept Farooq’s death. Babita said, “I can’t accept the news of his death. It feels extremely devastating. Just a few days ago, I met his wife’s sister, who informed me that Farooque’s blood circulation is facing some issues. Besides that, he is fine and will return to Dhaka soon. I was happy to hear that. But today, I found out that Farooque has left us! It’s very upsetting.”
Babita continued, “I have worked with Farooque from the beginning of my career. Those films are milestones. ‘Noyon Moni,’ ‘Golapi Ekhon Traine,’ ‘Abar Tora Manush Ho’ - all these movies are famous. When we used to shoot in Manikganj during the winter, we would patiently wait for the perfect shot. So many memories are intertwined with him. It feels like everything is flashing before my eyes.”
Enduring melodies: Farooque’s impact on Anjana
Anjana, a renowned dancer and actress, expressed her deep sorrow over the passing of Farooque.
Taking to social media to reminisce, she wrote, “I had the privilege of acting alongside Farooque bhai, my third milestone film being ‘Matir Maya.’ Countless memories of acting with him in numerous films fill my mind, bringing tears to my eyes. My heart feels heavy with emotions.”
Anjana added, “Farooque bhai always used to say that despite acting in so many films throughout his career, ‘Fulesshori’ was one of his best. Its songs always resonate within me, and I find myself humming ‘Nodire koto rong dekhalo amay’ repeatedly. These words will never fade away from my memory. Farooque bhai, you will live on through your invaluable contributions.”
Rozina’s heartfelt farewell to Farooque
Renowned actress Rozina, a former popular figure of cinema, expressed her immediate reaction to the news of actor Farooque’s demise.
She said, “He was not just my co-star; Farooque bhai was an admirer of our Bengali film industry. As soon as I heard the news this morning, I couldn’t hold back my tears. It felt like the world was engulfed in emptiness.”
Rozina said, “Our Mia Bhai is really gone! Despite Farooque bhai being under treatment in Singapore for a while, it still felt like he was with us. But now, he has left us completely. With his untimely departure, the film industry has lost a powerful admirer. We won’t see such a passionate supporter in the film industry again. Wherever you are, stay well, Farooque bhai.”
Shakib Khan’s homage to Farooque
Actor Shakib Khan has expressed deep sorrow over Farooque’s death. “Whenever he saw any of my good work, movie posters, or trailer releases, he appreciated them from his own perspective and felt proud,” Shakib said.
He continued, “Alongside the loss of a beloved actor, I am experiencing the grief of losing a mentor. He will remain peacefully above, carrying with him profound tranquillity.”