Farooque

Akbar Hossain Pathan Dulu (; 18 August 1948 – 15 May 2023), known by the stage name Farooque (Bengali: ফারুক), was a Bangladeshi actor, politician, businessman and producer. 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. 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 (MP) 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,

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. 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.

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.

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. 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 (ICU) 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

Year Film Director Role Notes 1971 Jolchhobi H. Akbar Debut film released on 22 March 1971 Golapi Ekhon Traine Amjad Hossain Milon Based on the novel of Amjad Hossain titled Droupodi Ekhon Traine1979 Ghor Jamai Zahirul Haque Din Jay Kotha Thake Khan Ataur Rahman Noder Chand Sheikh Nazrul Islam Surjo Songram Rosy Samad Chokher Moni Narayan Ghosh Mita Priyo Bandhobi Motaher Hossain Modhumoti Hasmot Choto Ma Tamij Uddin Rizvi Shohor Theke Dure Dilip Shom Nagordola Belal Ahmed 1980 Sokhi Tumi Kar Abdullah Al Mamun Kotha Dilam Akbar Kabir Pintu Etim Sheikh Nazrul Islam Jibon Mrityu Narayan Ghosh Mita Bhai Bhai Swapan Saha Chokka Panja Nur Hossain Bolai Dosti Ajmal Huda Mithu Protigya A J Mintu 1981 Sonar Tori Azizur Rahman Sukher Songsar Narayan Ghosh Mita Masum Sheikh Nazrul Islam Matir Putul Abdus Samad Khokon Janata Express Azizur Rahman 1982 Reshmi Churi Shibly Sadik Taser Ghor Narayan Ghosh Mita Laal Kajol Motin Rahman Chitkar Motin Rahman Jontor Montor Azizur Rahman 1983 Sikandar Nur Hossain Bolai Shimar H. Akbar Ijjat Swapan Saha Asha Sheikh Nazrul Islam Arshinagar Khan Ataur Rahman Chena Mukh Zahirul Haque Mehmaan Azizur Rahman Ondho Bodhu Subhash Dutt Hashu Amar Hashu H. Akbar 1984 Punomilon Ebne Mizan Matsya Kumari Kazi Kamal Maan Obhimaan Narayan Ghosh Mita Mayer Achol Azizur Rahman 1985 Phooleshwari Azizur Rahman Shaheb Narayan Ghosh Mita Jhinuk Mala Rosy Samad Poristhan Md. Shahjahan Akand 1986 Sud Asal Narayan Ghosh Mita 1987 Obishwas Swapan Saha 1988 Moshal Badrul Alam Kartabya Swapan Saha Jadu Mahal Swapan Saha Sukher Shopno Awkat Hossain Shaktishali Swapan Saha Behula Lakindar Chashi Nazrul Islam 1989 Bhool Bichar Anjan Sarker Biraj Bou Mohiuddin Faruqe Laila Amar Laila M. A. Malek Kala Khoon Darashikho Adarshaban Abu Musa Debu Alal Dulal Ebne Mizan 1990 Shimul Parul Delwar Jahan Jhantu Shimul Jobab Chai Mujibor Rahman Shesh Porichoy Anjan Sarker Lakhe Ekta Kazi Kamal Palki Delwar Jahan Jhantu Kismat Humayun Kabir Mia Bhai Chashi Nazrul Islam Dukhini Ma Delwar Jahan Jhantu 1991 Bhai Bhabi Delwar Jahan Jhantu Surjo Sontan Ayat Ali Patwari Lottery Abdul Latif Bacchu Padma Meghna Jamuna Chashi Nazrul Islam Hashu 1992 Khomotaban Fazle Ahmed Benzir Bod Nosib Sheikh Alauddin Bondhu Amar Awkat Hossain 1993 Danga Fyasad Chashi Nazrul Islam Chorom Protishod Sujaur Rahman 1996 Jibon Songshar Jakir Hossain Raju Sagar Ahmed 1997 Jibon Mane Juddho Mostafizur Rahman Babu 1998 Prithibi Tomar Amar Badal Khandaker E Jibon Tomar Amar Jakir Hossain Raju Ekhono Onek Raat Khan Ataur Rahman Zahed Manush Manusher Jonno Maruf Hossain Milton 2001 Mone Rekho Amay Awlad Hossain & Nasir Uddin 2006 Koti Takar Kabin F I Manik Mannab Talukder 2008 Ghorer Lokkhi Azadi Hasnat Firoz Last film

Awards Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor (1975) Bachsas Awards Bangladesh National Film Award for Lifetime Achievement