‘Knowing about his work is like reading 10 novels’

Ekushey Padak and National Film Award winning actor ATM Shamsuzzaman has been one of the most prominent faces in the film industry, in his career of five decades.

Apart from proving his excellence in acting, he was also a screenplay writer and director as well. On this day of 2021, the noted artiste left us for good.

On this day, renowned director Salahuddin Lavlu reminisced the memories of the eminent actor with The Daily Star.

"When he was away from the small screen, I featured him on the mega serial 'Ronger Manush'. The project was much acclaimed and gained a lot of popularity. People loved his performance, and I had the opportunity to work with him with some more productions on television further.

Fictions like "Bhober Haat", "Ghor Kutum", and "Goru Chor" among many others, are still cherished by the audience. Needless to say, he was a gem in our industry. Not just as an actor, he was tremendously well as a screenplay writer.

His contribution towards the film industry is huge. I have tried to learn a lot from him, though I can't say how much I could take. I will always remember his words, and the suggestion he used to give me. I believe there is immense joy in learning from such talented person! We worked together again in my film, "Molla Barir Bou", and I am grateful to him for giving such an extraordinary performance in the project.

He always told me that my place is in the cinema, and I own this world. No one ever shared such words as him. I believe that getting to work and know about the great personalities such as ATM Shamsuzzaman, Mamunur Rashid, and Aly Zaker is equivalent to reading 10 novels. He was a true artiste. Walking on the path of art being humane—is something he utterly believed in his entire life. This is also something that I am still learning from Mamunur Rashid bhai.

ATM Shamsuzzaman bhai admired me a lot, and this was a great achievement for me. Many told me that, he used to tell people that if you want to be a director, go to Lavlu and take a lesson on short division from him. I don't think I am that capable, still his word and faith have always elated me.

Dear ATM bhai, wherever you are, I pay my gratitude and salute towards you."