Bangladeshi actor and politician Farooque dies aged 74
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Actor-turned-politician Akbar Hossain Pathan had been undergoing treatment at a hospital in Singapore for nearly two years.
PHOTO: AKBAR HOSSAIN PATHAN - FAROOQUE/FACEBOOK
DHAKA - Bangladeshi actor and Member of Parliament Akbar Hossain Pathan, known by his stage name Farooque, died at around 8.30am Singapore time on Monday, at the age of 74.
The news of his death was confirmed to The Daily Star by his son Shorot, who said: “My father passed away around 8.30am today. Please pray for his departed soul.”
The actor-turned-politician had been undergoing treatment at a hospital in Singapore for nearly two years.
Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed their condolences for the loss.
“His contributions in the film industry, as well as our politics, will never be forgotten… This is an irreparable loss to the cultural sector of Bangladesh,” said Mr Shahabuddin in a statement.
Farooque made his claim to fame on the big screen through the film Jolchhobi, directed by H. Akbar.
His acting prowess would eventually earn him the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1975 for the film Lathial. Later, in 2016, he was awarded their Lifetime Achievement Award.
He appeared in more than 150 films in a career spanning more than five decades. Most of his films were commercially and critically successful.
Some of Farooque’s most notable and memorable films include Sareng Bou, Lathial, Sujon Sokhi, Noyonmoni and Golapi Ekhon Traine.
The actor’s home town is in Kaliganj Upazila, Gazipur, but he was born and raised in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka.
Farooque was also involved in the six-point movement in 1966, which advocated for greater autonomy for East Pakistan. THE DAILY STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
