Stars reminisce on wordsmith Humayun Ahmed
Tariq Anam Khan
Tariq Anam Khan reminisced on the writer saying, “I first met Humayun Ahmed a long time ago, when he had returned from the USA after completing his Ph.D. My first work on his writing was 'Diner Sheshe'. The last work I did with him was under his direction in his last film 'Ghetu Putro Komola'.“
“Working on 'Ghetu Putro Komola' was very enjoyable, because Humayun Ahmed kept the atmosphere upbeat. During the rainy season we were shooting at a zamindar's house in the Haor areas. One night, Humayun Ahmed acted out the role of a mentally imbalanced person. He was wearing a lungi, and the performance was incredibly good.“
“Humayun Ahmed dedicated a book to me, named 'Himu'r Ache Jol'. In the dedication, he wrote there are two places where you can see the true colours of a man: at a battlefield, and at outdoor shootings. He dedicated the book to 'Nishad er Darri wala mama' (Nishad's bearded uncle). It was a very touching gesture, and something I will cherish.“
When he came back to the country the last time, we watched the film together at the movie theatre. The next day, I went to his house. When I sat at the dinner table, the seat next to me was empty. Humayun Ahmed came up and said “See, nobody's sitting beside you because of the role you played in the film.“
“That was my last conversation with Humayun Ahmed. Little did I know then that this stalwart of Bangla literature would not be with us much longer.”
Shadhin Khosru
Shadhin Khosru has worked with a number of directors but it was Humayun Ahmed's TV works that made him very popular.
Speaking to TDS, Shadhin Khosru lamented the demise of the author, crediting the wordsmith for his success as an actor.
The actor said, “Humayun Ahmed wrote a number of characters keeping me in mind, for TV dramas and films. It is sometimes hard to believe that the writer is not among us,” he added. Sadhin also recounted his memories with the late director as he was lucky enough to travel with him to the US.
“I was one of the very few people close enough to Humayun Ahmed to go to his Dhanmondi residence to cut a cake at the start of his birthday. Another November 13th has come, and it will be hard to accept that Humayun Ahmed is not around to celebrate his birthday.”
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