Anwar Hossain

A discussion on veteran character actor of Bengali cinema Anwar Hossain was organised recently by Jamalpur Zila Press Club at the public library auditorium in the town.
Presided over by journalist Bazlur Rahman, editor of local daily Sachetankantha and president of the Press Club, Deputy Commissioner (DC) in Jamalpur Delwar Haider and renowned film director and actor Amjad Hossain were chief guest and main speaker at the discussion respectively.
The programme started with a Tagore song “Tomaro Osheemey” by artiste Ajanta Rahman. Tariqul Ferdous, Assistant Professor of a local college, read out a brief biography of the unparalleled film star at the event.
Anwar Hossain was born at village Sarulia in Melandah upazila of Jamalpur on December 6, 1931.
He made his first foray into the acting world in his school days. In college, he took part in a number of theatre productions staged in Mymensingh.
Later he chose to chase bigger dreams and came to Dhaka to embark on a journey in cinema immediately after the release of the feature film “Mukh O Mukhosh”. With his role in the film “Tomar Amar”, Anwar Hossain caught the eyes of directors and producers.
The title role in “Nawab Sirajuddoula”, directed by noted actor-director Khan Ataur Rahman was his creative feat. After the release of the film in 1967, people started calling him “Nawab”.
Later he starred in the films Shurjosnan, Kancher Dewal, Dui Diganta, Godhulir Prem, along with the famous film Jibon Theke Neya directed by eminent director Zahir Raihan. Hossain superbly portrayed the character of a political leader in the film.
In post-liberation Bangladesh, Hossain delivered a number of memorable performances in several films. His last film was Ghani.
During the discussion chief guest DC Delwar Haider said that the people of Jamalpur are proud of the “Nawab of Bangla”.
The main speaker, noted director Amjad Hossain tearfully remarked that Hossain was a legend in the film industry and will remain in the heart of every Bengali.
Among others, senior journalists AAK Mahmudul Hassan Dara, Shafik Zaman, cultural activists-- Ali Zahir, Sajjad Ansary, Ali Imam Dulal, president of Udichi Shilpi Gosthi, Jamalpur district unit, former principal Mazibur Rahman and Nasima Akhtar, head teacher of Jamalpur Zila School paid homage to the film star.
Later, the film “Nawab Sirajuddoula” was screened.