Saidul Anam Tutul passes away

Renowned director and freedom fighter Saidul Anam Tutul passed away yesterday at the capital's Labaid Hospital in Dhanmondi. He was 68.

Tutul had been suffering from a heart disease and was admitted to the hospital's Coronary Care Unit (CCU) on December 16.

The news was confirmed by his cousin eminent actor Tariq Anam Khan, and General Secretary of The Directors' Guild SA Haque Olike.

Tutul was born and brought up in Dhaka. He began his career as an actor in his teens, and was regularly featured on television and radio even before independence. He acted in the first production of Dhaka Theatre called Shongbad Cartoon and also their renowned production Muntasir Fantasy. His role in Roktokorobi, under the direction of Mostafa Monwar, was well received by the audience and earned him a lot of fame. He later went on to get the coveted degree on film from the Pune Film Institute in India.

The Dhaka-born director had many memorable tele-fictions to his name, including Nishi kabbo, Bokhate, Helicopter, Shiuly mala, Aporajita,Mallyodan, Moddhobortini, Rubai er diary, Gobra chor and Bayanno golir ek goli. He also made his presence felt as an actor and was the editor of many notable films including Ghuddi, Dukhai, Surja dighal bari, Dohon(1985) and Dipu number 2. He won the National Film Award as the editor of Surja dighal bari. Among his popular tele-fictions were Bondhu boreshur, Ashtamadal and Dokhiner janala. The only cinema that he had directed was Adhiyar, which was based on the 'tebhaga' movement which looked to restore farmers' rights.

 “He wasn't just my cousin, he was my life's biggest inspiration,” says Tariq Anam Khan, “I was inspired by him to become an actor and I followed his footsteps.”

Saidul Anam Tutul was the first General Secretary of the Directors' Guild, and a lifetime member. Recently, he had been directing his second film Kaalbela funded by the government.

Tutul is survived by his wife and two daughters.