Fans demand Ekushey Padak for Faridi

A Facebook-based community is campaigning for Ekushey Padak honours for late eminent actor Humayun Faridi. A petition campaign began yesterday at TSC of Dhaka University and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, and it will travel to Jahangirnagar University on January 26. The campaign will travel to Chittagong next, and then to other cities, continuing up to the day of the announcement of this year's Ekushey Padak honours next month. Hundreds of people signed the petition on the first day.

Humayun Faridi, one of the most powerful theatre, TV and film actors of his time, passed away on February 13, 2012 at the age of 60. He began his career in the arts in his university days at Jahangirnagar University. He then joined Dhaka Theatre and debuted on stage with “Sangbad Cartoon”, and went on to act in many memorable productions: “Kittonkhola”, “Keramat Mangal”, “Muntasir Fantasy” to name a few. Faridi arrived on TV with “Nikhoj Sangbad” and it was with his television roles that Faridi became known to the entire country. Roles like Seraj Talukdar in “Bhangoner Shobdo Shuni” and the iconic Kaan-kata Ramzan in Shahidullah Kaiser-written “Sangsaptak” placed him in Bangaldeshi TV history. Faridi ventured in films at his later stage, beginning with 1990's “Santrash”. In over 250 films, his most remarkable work being “Bichar Hobe”, “Palabi Kothaye”, “Hulia”, “Ekattorer Jishu”, “Matritto” (for which he won a National Award), “Joyjatra”, “Shyamol Chhaya” and “Aha”.