'Nawab' of sliver screen Anwar Hossain bows out

Bengali film legend Anwar Hossain, who is best remembered for his iconic role in “Nawab Sirajuddaula”, has died at the age of 82.

Curtains came down on him, forever, at 2:30am on Friday at Square Hospitals, Dr Mirza Najimuddin, Medicine Consultant of the hospital, told journalists.

The actor, dubbed as the ‘Crownless Emperor’ of Bengali cinema, was admitted to the hospital on Aug 18 and was suspected of having gallbladder stones stone after tests. But his physicians said he was not healthy enough for surgery.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited him on Thursday afternoon and handed a cheque of Tk 1million to his family.

Hossain was born in Jamalpur on Dec 6, 1931.

He burst onto silver screen with ‘Tomar Amar’ which was released in 1958. Anwar Hossain also acted in Urdu films such as “Nachghor”, “Bahana” and “Ujala”.

In 1965, “Rupban” catapulted him to fame, but he entered film folklore with his lead role in “Nawab Sirajuddaula” in 1967.

The versatile actor appeared in nearly 500 movies in a career that stretched more than 50 years and reached an almost unmatched height in the Dhakai filmdom.

He acted in “Etotuku Asha”, “Shat Bhai Chompa” “Neel Akash-er Niche”, “Ka-Kha-Ga-Gha-Uma”, “Ghurnijhor”, “Sharlipi”, “Kancher Deyal”, “Bondhon”, “Jibon Theke Neya” in pre-independence era.

In Bangladesh, Hossain performed in “Joy Bangla”, “Nijere Haraye Khuji”, “Lalon Fokir”, “Orunodoyer Ognishakkhi”, “Alo Tumi Aleya”, “Golapi Ekhon Train-e”, “Devdas”, “Rajlokkhi Shrikanto”, “Dayi Ke”, “Rongbaj”, “Dhire Bohe Meghna”, “Rupali Shaikate”, “Noyon Moni”, “Nagor Dola” and “Surya Sangram”.

“Ghani” was his last work.

The soft-spoken actor received the National Film Award for best actor in the film “Lathiyal” in 1975, and again for “Golapi Ekhon Train-e”, this time as supporting actor, in 1978.

He won the National Film Award for the third time for another stellar performance in “Dayi Ke” in 1987.

In 2012, the prominent actor was awarded Lifetime Achievement Award in National Film Award 2010 for his contribution to the movie industry.