Farooque


Akbar Hossain Pathan Dulu, known by the stage name Farooque, was a Bangladeshi actor, politician, businessman and producer. He was known as 'Mia Bhai' to mass people. He appeared in over 150 films in a career spanning more than five decades. Most of his films were commercially and critically successful. Farooque was one of the most recognizable stars of the classical and golden era of Bangladeshi film industry.
Farooque was the first awardee of the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for the film Lathial in 1975 which he declined. In addition, he was awarded the Bangladesh National Film Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2016. As one of the most dominant actors in the Bangladeshi movie scene during the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s, Farooque is widely considered one of the greatest and influential actors in the history of Bangladeshi cinema.
During Operation Searchlight, on 25 March 1971, he participated in the first resistance of the liberation war in Malitola, Old Dhaka as second in command of their own guerrilla force commanded by 'Nader Gunda'. Later, Farooque succeeded as commander and continued the fighting.
Farooque was a ruling Awami League member of Parliament for Dhaka-17 since 2018 Bangladeshi general election.

Early life

Akbar Hossain Pathan was born on 18 August 1948 to the Bengali Muslim Pathan family in Kaliganj, Gazipur, then a part of Dacca district, East Bengal. Farooque was born on 18 August 1948, His father, Azgar Hossain Pathan, was a medical doctor. He spent most of his childhood in Old Dhaka.
Farooque was associated with the politics in six point movement in 1966. 37 cases were filed against him by Pakistani military junta for participating in the movement.
Farooque participated in the 1971 Liberation War. In liberation war, he was closely associated with and fought alongside guerrilla legend 'Nader Gunda' as second in command. During Operation Searchlight, 25 March 1971, he participated in the very first resistance of the liberation war in Malitola as second in command of their own guerrilla force commanded by 'Nader Gunda'. After killing of 'Nader Gunda' by Pakistani forces, Farooque succeeded as commander and continued the fighting.

Career

Farooque started his film career through Jolchobi in 1971. This brave veteran and multiple award-winning actor has contributed enormously to shape the Golden Era of the Bangladeshi film industry. Golapi Ekhon Traine, Lathial, Abar Tora Manush Ho, Mia Bhai, Sareng Bou, Padma Meghna Jamuna, Ekhono Onek Raat; the list of his milestone works continued to adorn his career. Though he shared screen with every leading actress of his time, most of Farooque's works were associated with the actresses Bobita, Rozina and Kabori.
Most of his films were in village settings, though he is recognized as a versatile actor. He established himself as the most popular protagonist in village setting films. Most of his films were massive hits.
Farooque produced more than a dozen of films through his production company FP Films. Farooque was one of the founders of Film Artist Association and incumbent president of Bangobandhu Sangskritik Jot.
Farooque was also a businessman except his acting career. He was the managing director of Farooque Kniting and Dying Manufacturing Company situated in Kaliakoir, Gazipur.
As a political activist, Farooque was associated with Bangladesh Awami League politics since 1966. He was elected to the parliament from Dhaka-17 constituency as a candidate of Bangladesh Awami League on 30 December 2018.

Personal life and death

Farooque was married to Farhana Farooque. They had a daughter, Fariha Tabassum Hossain, and a son, Rowshon Hossain.
In September 2020, Farooque tested positive for tuberculosis, and was admitted to Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore. Earlier, on 16 August 2020, he was admitted to a private hospital due to fever. After, he was in intensive care unit for 4 months. In January 2022, it was revealed that two flats of his, priced at 15 crore taka, were sold. He died in Singapore on 15 May 2023, at the age of 74.

Filmography

YearFilmDirectorRoleNotes
1971JolchhobiH. AkbarDebut film released on 22 March 1971
1973Duronto DurbarMohiuddin
1973Abar Tora Manush HoKhan Ataur Rahman
1974Choker JoleAziz Azhar
1974Alor MichilNarayan Ghosh MitaRashed
1974TrirotnoKhan Ataur Rahman
1975LathialNarayan Ghosh MitaDukhu MiaWon Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor
1975Sujon SokhiChashi Nazrul IslamSujon
1976NoyonmoniAmjad HossainNoyon
1976Matir MayaTaher Chowdhury
1976SurjogrohonRosy Samad
1977TrishnaNarayan Ghosh Mita
1978Sareng BouAbdullah Al MamunKodom SarengBased on the novel of Shahidullah Kaiser by the same title
1978Golapi Ekhon TraineAmjad HossainMilonBased on the novel of Amjad Hossain titled Droupodi Ekhon Traine
1979Ghor JamaiZahirul Haque
1979Din Jay Kotha ThakeKhan Ataur Rahman
1979Noder ChandSheikh Nazrul Islam
1979Surjo SongramRosy Samad
1979Chokher MoniNarayan Ghosh Mita
1979Priyo BandhobiMotaher Hossain
1979ModhumotiHasmot
1979Choto MaTamij Uddin Rizvi
1979Shohor Theke DureDilip Shom
1979NagordolaBelal Ahmed
1980Sokhi Tumi KarAbdullah Al Mamun
1980Kotha DilamAkbar Kabir Pintu
1980EtimSheikh Nazrul Islam
1980Jibon MrityuNarayan Ghosh Mita
1980Bhai BhaiSwapan Saha
1980Chokka PanjaNur Hossain Bolai
1980DostiAjmal Huda Mithu
1980ProtigyaA J Mintu
1981Sonar ToriAzizur Rahman
1981Sukher SongsarNarayan Ghosh Mita
1981MasumSheikh Nazrul Islam
1981Matir PutulAbdus Samad Khokon
1981Janata ExpressAzizur Rahman
1982Reshmi ChuriShibly Sadik
1982Taser GhorNarayan Ghosh Mita
1982Laal KajolMotin Rahman
1982ChitkarMotin Rahman
1982Jontor MontorAzizur Rahman
1983SikandarNur Hossain Bolai
1983ShimarH. Akbar
1983IjjatSwapan Saha
1983AshaSheikh Nazrul Islam
1983ArshinagarKhan Ataur Rahman
1983Chena MukhZahirul Haque
1983MehmaanAzizur Rahman
1983Ondho BodhuSubhash Dutt
1983Hashu Amar HashuH. Akbar
1984PunomilonEbne Mizan
1984Matsya KumariKazi Kamal
1984Maan ObhimaanNarayan Ghosh Mita
1984Mayer AcholAzizur Rahman
1985PhooleshwariAzizur Rahman
1985ShahebNarayan Ghosh Mita
1985Jhinuk MalaRosy Samad
1985PoristhanMd. Shahjahan Akand
1986Sud AsalNarayan Ghosh Mita
1987ObishwasSwapan Saha
1988MoshalBadrul Alam
1988KartabyaSwapan Saha
1988Jadu MahalSwapan Saha
1988Sukher ShopnoAwkat Hossain
1988ShaktishaliSwapan Saha
1988Behula LakindarChashi Nazrul Islam
1989Bhool BicharAnjan Sarker
1989Biraj BouMohiuddin Faruqe
1989Laila Amar LailaM. A. Malek
1989Kala KhoonDarashikho
1989AdarshabanAbu Musa Debu
1989Alal DulalEbne Mizan
1990Shimul ParulDelwar Jahan JhantuShimul
1990Jobab ChaiMujibor Rahman
1990Shesh PorichoyAnjan Sarker
1990Lakhe EktaKazi Kamal
1990PalkiDelwar Jahan Jhantu
1990KismatHumayun Kabir
1990Mia BhaiChashi Nazrul Islam
1990Dukhini MaDelwar Jahan Jhantu
1991Bhai BhabiDelwar Jahan Jhantu
1991Surjo SontanAyat Ali Patwari
1991LotteryAbdul Latif Bacchu
1991Padma Meghna JamunaChashi Nazrul IslamHashu
1992KhomotabanFazle Ahmed Benzir
1992Bod NosibSheikh Alauddin
1992Bondhu AmarAwkat Hossain
1993Danga FyasadChashi Nazrul Islam
1993Chorom ProtishodSujaur Rahman
1996Jibon SongsharJakir Hossain RajuSagar Ahmed
1997Jibon Mane JuddhoMostafizur Rahman Babu
1998Prithibi Tomar AmarBadal Khandaker
1998E Jibon Tomar AmarJakir Hossain Raju
1998Ekhono Onek RaatKhan Ataur RahmanZahed
1998Manush Manusher JonnoMaruf Hossain Milton
2001Mone Rekho AmayAwlad Hossain & Nasir Uddin
2006Koti Takar KabinF I ManikMannab Talukder
2008Ghorer LokkhiAzadi Hasnat FirozLast film