The passing of a freedom fighter, movie legend
Freedom Fighter, actor and Member of Parliament Akbar Hossain Pathan (Farooque) passed away at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore yesterday morning.
He was 74.
His son Sharot confirmed the news of the death and requested everyone to pray for the departed soul of his beloved father.
Born in Old Dhaka in 1948, Farooque made his silver screen debut with the film "Jolchhobi" in 1971. He went on to win the hearts of millions across the nation with memorable perfomances in films like "Lathial", "Noyon Moni" and "Golapi Ekhon Train-E".
Throughout his five-decade-long career, he appeared in over 150 films, a majority of which earned incredible commercial success.
"Nagordola", "Shurjo Songram", "Ghor Jamai", "Matir Putul", and "Trishna" are just a few of those.
He was lovingly called "Mia Bhai" by fans and colleagues – derived from the Chashi Nazrul Islam film of the same name, in which he had acted.
Considered by many to be the one of the most prolific actors of his time, Farooque's acting prowess earned him the National Film Award for "Best Supporting Actor" in 1975.
In 2016, he was given the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Farooque was a devoted patriot with a rebellious spirit.
He was involved in the Six-point movement in 1966 and was also involved in the first resistance in Malitola after Operation Searchlight on March 25, 1971. He fought under guerilla legend "Nader Gunda".
In an earlier interview, when asked why he became a freedom fighter, Farooque had said, "I was once slapped by Pakistanis for speaking in Bangla when I was six years old. It was one of the worst things to have happened to me, and what later led me to join the Liberation War."
Successful in his political career, Farooque was also the MP-elect from Dhaka-17 as a ruling-Awami League candidate in the 2018 elections.
After falling ill, Farooque was taken to Singapore's Mount Elizabeth Hospital on September 13, 2020. A month later, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and returned to Dhaka after treatment.
In March 2021, he was taken back to Singapore and was admitted to the ICU. He remained in hospital for over two years for treatment, before passing away at 8:30am yesterday.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President Mohammed Shahabuddin in separate condolence messages have expressed their sorrow at the actor's demise.
"His contributions in the film industry, as well as our politics, will never be forgotten," Hasina said in her statement.
Shahabuddin said, "This [Farooque's death] is an irreparable loss to the cultural sector of Bangladesh."
Farooque's body will be brought to Dhaka by air today, after which he will be taken to his Uttara home around 9:00am.
At 11:00am, his body will be taken to the Central Shaheed Minar for well-wishers and colleagues to pay their final respects.
His namaz-e-janaza will take place at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation after Zuhr prayers.
His body will then be taken to Gulshan Azad Mosque for his second namaz-e-janaza and then he will be laid to rest in his hometown in Gazipur's Kaliganj.
The actor is survived by his wife Farhana Pathan, daughter Fariha Tabassum Hossain and son Rowshon Hossain Sharot.
Comments