Gone but not forgotten: Stars we lost in 2021
The entertainment industry lost some of the brightest stars this year. Most of the artistes have left us untimely due to complications in Covid-19. While their absence laments our hearts, their memories and works are forever imprinted in our minds.
As we approach the New Year, The Daily Star takes a moment to mourn the stars we lost in 2021.
Sarah Begum Kabori ( 19 July 1950- 17 April 2021)
Legendary actor Sarah Begum Kabori ruled over the silver screen with her simplicity and sweetness for over 3 decades, starting from the 1960s.
Born in Chattogram, Kabori started acting professionally at the age of thirteen, when she starred in Subhash Dutta's "Sutorang"
The actress then went on to perform in popular movies such as- Sujon Sokhi and Sareng Bou with Farooque in the 1970s. The actress also played an important role in Titash Ekti Nadir Naam directed by Indian filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak. She also acted in an Urdu film named "Bahana" by Zahir Raihan with co-actor Rahman.
The actress authored a book titled "Sritituku Thaak".
Kabori passed away at the age of 70 after suffering from Covid-19 complication on April 17, 2021.
A T M Shamsuzzaman (10 September 1941- 20 February 2021)
ATM Shamsuzzaman won the hearts of millions for his candid presence in diverse roles and became an emblem of spontaneous acting.
ATM Shamsuzzaman portrayed some incredible characters starting with- Bejar Ali, a small character of war criminal in the film 'Ora Egaro Jon' to characters like Mokbul in 'Hajar Bachhor Dhore' and Gazi Ebadat Molla in 'Molla Barir Bou', among others.
The prolific actor was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2015 and won the Bangladesh National Film Award five times for his versality.
The noted actor passed away at the age of 79 at his residence in Puran Dhaka due to breathing complications on February 20.
Dr Enamul Haque ( 29 May 1943- 11 October 2021)
Eminent actor, playwright, academician and Ekushey Padak awardee Dr Enamul Haque passed away at his Baily road residence on October 11.
The veteran artiste first ventured into acting with the tele-fiction "Mukhora Romoni Boshikoron. Throughout his illustrious career, the actor portrayed many remarkable roles in "Emiler Goenda Bahini", "Ei Shob Din Ratri", "Ayomoy", "Brihonnola" and "Amar Bondhu Rashed".
He also wrote over 60 plays for television which includes "Oneekdiner Ekdin", "Sheishob Dingulo", "Nirjon Shoikot", and "Ke Ba Apon Ke Ba Por.
Dr Enamul Haque was also a founding member of legendary theatre troupe, Nagorik Natya Sampradaya.
Fakir Alamgir (21 February 1950- 23 July 2021)
Legendary singer and freedom fighter Fakir Alamgir stole the hearts of the audiences with his patriotic songs and joyful personae.
Fakir Alamgir started his music career in 1966. The noted singer played a vital role during the mass uprising of 1969 as a member of the Kranti Shilpi Gosthi and Gana Shilpi Gosthi.
The legendary singer worked with Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra during the Liberation War.
Throughout his illustrious career, he sang songs like "O Sokhina Gesos Kina", "Shantahar", "Nelson Mandela", "Naam Tar Chhilo John Henry", "Banglar Comrade Bondhu", among countless other hits, which resonated in the hearts of all listeners.
Fakir Alamgir passed away at age of 71, after suffering heart attack in ventilation at the Covid unit on July 23.
Mahmud Sajjad ( died 24 October)
Renowned actor Mahmud Sajjad made his acting debut with renowned director Zahir Raihan's film, "Sangsar". His other notable films include Khan Ataur Rahman's "Jhorer Pakhi", "Apon Por", and Aziz Azhar's "Chokher Joley", among many others.
Mahmud Sajjad was involved with the theatre troupe Natyachakra. He acted in theatre productions, namely, Let There Be Light, Spartacus, Janak and others.
Mahmud Sajjad passed away at the age of 73 due to Covid-19 complications on October 24.
SM Mohsin (30 January 1948- 18 April 2021)
Ekushey Padak-winning theatre activist, actor and freedom fighter SM Mohsin had an illustrious career spanning over four decades.
As an actor, Mohsin acted in many notable theatre productions including "Rokte Bheja Shapla", Munier Choudhury-directed play "Kobor" and "Chithi", other plays namely "Dipantar", "Subachan Nirbasane", "Chup Adalat Cholchhe" and more. He was actively involved with the theatre troupe Drama Circle.
SM Mohsin passed away at the age of 73 due to Covid-19 on April 18.
Mita Huq ( 7 September 1962- 11 April 2021)
Eminent Rabindra Sangeet exponent and Ekushey Padak awardee Mita Huq's rose to prominence in the 90's, with her first album "Amar Mon Mane Na".
The renowned singer voiced over 200 albums in her illustrious career and also participated at the Berlin International Youth Festival in 1974.
Mita Huq was awarded the coveted Ekushey Padak in 2020 for her contributions to music.
The legendary artiste passed away at the age of 59 due to Covid-19 complications on April 11.
Wasim ( 23 March 1947- 18 April 2021)
The folk and fantasy action here Wasim debuted into the silver screen with the film ""Rater Por Din".
He has been featured in over 150 films in his illustrious career, including "Raj Dulari", "Imaan", "Daku Monshur", "Bedin", "Norom Gorom" and "Bahadur".
Wasim passed away at the age of 74 after suffering from various old-age ailments on April 18.
Farid Ahmed (3 October 1960- 13 April 2021)
National Award-winning music director Farid Ahmed had directed over 300 background scores for different drama series and over 3,000 background scores for teleplays.
The music director also composed theme songs for popular television shows including Ityadi, Hridoye Mati O Manush and Channel-i Sera Kantha.
Farid Ahmed passed away at the age of 61 due to Covid-19 on April 13.
National Professor Rafiqul Islam ( 1 January 1934- 30 November 2021)
National Professor Rafiqul Islam was the recipient of both Swadhinata Padak and Ekushey Padak, the highest civilian honours in the country.
The renowned educationalist had written more than 30 books, including the first books on martyred intellectuals and the centenary history of Dhaka University.
Rafiqul Islam has passed away at the age of 87 due to complication related to water accumulation in his lungs on November 30.
Kayes Chowdhury ( died 21 October 2021)
Renowned actor and playwright Kayes Chowdhury was a well-known face in the world of package tele-fiction for his wonderful playwright skills and amazing direction.
Kayes Chowdhury was the playwright and director of BTV's famous tele-fiction "Na" starring Tania Ahmed, Tony Dias, Shomu Chowdhury Promukh.
Kayes Chowdhury is known for his roles in Chayanika Chowdhury's tele-fiction "Shopno Morubhumi" and Saiful Islam Munna's "Goriber Kopal ey Shanti Ney".
The noted actor passed away due to kidney-related complications on October 21.
Sazzad Sony (died 15 August 2021)
Television director Sazzad Sony was a budding filmmaker who was doing quite notable works in the small screen.
He served as the finance secretary of Directors' Guild for two times.
Sazzad Sony had directed more than 20 telefilms, among which 'Nagor', 'Ajou Kaday' and 'Keu Kotha Rakheni' are notable.
The young director passed away at the age of 37 after suffering from a brain hemmorage on August 15.
Jane Alam ( died 2 March 2021)
Noted singer Jane Alam started singing after the independence. The singer gained popularity after his first album, 'Bonmali'.
The artiste, inpired by guru Azam Khan, went on to sing 4,000 songs in his career including hits like 'Ekti Gondomer Lagiya', 'Ishkul Khuleche', 'Amar Antoray','Boishakhe Tomar Shathe', among many others.
Jane Alam passed away at the age of 65 due to Covid-19 complication.
Kakoli Dewan ( 14 December 1958- 10 April 2021)
Noted singer Kakoli Dewan won the hearts of the audiences with her rendition of Lalon Sangeet and other folk songs.
The singer started her career with stage performances and then later on went on to become a regular radio singer at Bangladesh Betar from Chattogram, in the early 80s.
Kakoli Dewan passed away at the age of 63 due to chronic kidney complications and Covid-19 infection.
Borno Chakroborty ( died 17 July 2021)
Talented musician Borno Chakroborty first solo album, titled "Boka Pakhi" was raved greatly by the audiences.
Borno Chakraborty grew up in music from a young age. In addition to singing, he made music videos, tele-fictions, advertisements and documentaries.
The young singer passed away at the age of 33 after suffering from Covid-19 complications.
Anup Bhattacharya (14 July 1944- 6 May 2021)
Anup Bhattacharya worked as a composer and music director at the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra during the Liberation War.
His voice is present in liberation songs including "Teer Hara Ei Dheu-er Sagor", "Rokto Diye Naam Likhhechhi", "Purbo Digonte", and "Nongor Tolo Tolo".
The veteran artiste passed away due to age-related complications on May 6.
Kazi Sayed Hossain Dulal (23 January 1960- 22 December 2021)
Bangladesh Gram Theatre presidium member Kazi Sayed Hossain Dulal dedicated his life to folk and theatre research.
Kazi Sayed Hossain Dulal worked with 75 troupes from across the country, and compiled 35 folklore manuscripts.
The theatre artiste passed away at the age of 61 on December 22.
Shahin Alam ( 6 December 1962- 9 March 2021)
Renowned film actor Shahin Alam made his silver screen debut with the film Mayar Kanna in 1991.
He had acted in 150 films namely "Ghater Majhi", "Ek Palake", "Gariber Sangsar", "Teji", among others.
The actor passed away at the age of 58 after suffering from kidney disease.
Shamim Visti ( died 22 October 2021)
Television, film, and theatre actor Shamim Visti shared a close bond with his guru, the late Kayes Chowdhury.
Shamim Visti was a member of Natyachakra, one of the oldest theater troupes in the country and appeared in their popular production "Bhoddornok" multiple times.
Visti passed away at the age of 55 after suffering a massive heart attack on October 22. The actor had been feeling low since he got the news of Chowdhury's passing.
Russell O'neil (died 31 December)
Renowned lyricist Russell O'neil was found dead at his residence at midnight on December 31.
The lyricist penned well-known tracks like "Din Bari Jay" and "Surjo Snane Chol", composed by celebrated musician Bappa Mazumder. The lyrics for Habib Wahid's popular jingle "Rekho Na Ko Bhoy Mone '' was also written by Russell O'neil.
He wrote many popular jingles throughout his career, and was a regular contributor to songs by Bappa Mazumder and Dalchhut.
Russell was also a journalist for many years, and worked for an advertising agency.
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