# Farooque

Akbar Hossain Pathan Dulu (Bengali: আকবর হোসেন পাঠান দুলু; 18 August 1948 – 15 May 2023), known by the stage name Farooque (Bengali: ফারুক), was a Bangladeshi actor, politician, businessman and producer. He was known as 'Mia Bhai' (respected brother) 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, 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, 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 (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 |
| 1973 | Duronto Durbar | Mohiuddin | | |
| 1973 | Abar Tora Manush Ho | Khan Ataur Rahman | | |
| 1974 | Choker Jole | Aziz Azhar | | |
| 1974 | Alor Michil | Narayan Ghosh Mita | Rashed | |
| 1974 | Trirotno | Khan Ataur Rahman | | |
| 1975 | Lathial | Narayan Ghosh Mita | Dukhu Mia | Won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| 1975 | Sujon Sokhi | Chashi Nazrul Islam | Sujon | |
| 1976 | Noyonmoni | Amjad Hossain | Noyon | |
| 1976 | Matir Maya | Taher Chowdhury | | |
| 1976 | Surjogrohon | Rosy Samad | | |
| 1977 | Trishna | Narayan Ghosh Mita | | |
| 1978 | Sareng Bou | Abdullah Al Mamun | Kodom Sareng | Based on the novel of Shahidullah Kaiser's same title |
| 1978 | Golapi Ekhon Traine | Amjad Hossain | Milon | Based on the novel of Amjad Hossain titled "Droupodi Ekhon Traine" |
| 1979 | Ghor Jamai | Zahirul Haque | | |
| 1979 | Din Jay Kotha Thake | Khan Ataur Rahman | | |
| 1979 | Noder Chand | Sheikh Nazrul Islam | | |
| 1979 | Surjo Songram | Rosy Samad | | |
| 1979 | Chokher Moni | Narayan Ghosh Mita | | |
| 1979 | Priyo Bandhobi | Motaher Hossain | | |
| 1979 | Modhumoti | Hasmot | | |
| 1979 | Choto Ma | Tamij Uddin Rizvi | | |
| 1979 | Shohor Theke Dure | Dilip Shom | | |
| 1979 | Nagordola | Belal Ahmed | | |
| 1980 | Sokhi Tumi Kar | Abdullah Al Mamun | | |
| 1980 | Kotha Dilam | Akbar Kabir Pintu | | |
| 1980 | Etim | Sheikh Nazrul Islam | | |
| 1980 | Jibon Mrityu | Narayan Ghosh Mita | | |
| 1980 | Bhai Bhai | Swapan Saha | | |
| 1980 | Chokka Panja | Nur Hossain Bolai | | |
| 1980 | Dosti | Ajmal Huda Mithu | | |
| 1980 | Protigya | A J Mintu | | |
| 1981 | Sonar Tori | Azizur Rahman | | |
| 1981 | Sukher Songsar | Narayan Ghosh Mita | | |
| 1981 | Masum | Sheikh Nazrul Islam | | |
| 1981 | Matir Putul | Abdus Samad Khokon | | |
| 1981 | Janata Express | Azizur Rahman | | |
| 1982 | Reshmi Churi | Shibly Sadik | | |
| 1982 | Taser Ghor | Narayan Ghosh Mita | | |
| 1982 | Laal Kajol | Motin Rahman | | |
| 1982 | Chitkar | Motin Rahman | | |
| 1982 | Jontor Montor | Azizur Rahman | | |
| 1983 | Sikandar | Nur Hossain Bolai | | |
| 1983 | Shimar | H. Akbar | | |
| 1983 | Ijjat | Swapan Saha | | |
| 1983 | Asha | Sheikh Nazrul Islam | | |
| 1983 | Arshinagar | Khan Ataur Rahman | | |
| 1983 | Chena Mukh | Zahirul Haque | | |
| 1983 | Mehmaan | Azizur Rahman | | |
| 1983 | Ondho Bodhu | Subhash Dutt | | |
| 1983 | Hashu Amar Hashu | H. Akbar | | |
| 1984 | Punomilon | Ebne Mizan | | |
| 1984 | Matsya Kumari | Kazi Kamal | | |
| 1984 | Maan Obhimaan | Narayan Ghosh Mita | | |
| 1984 | Mayer Achol | Azizur Rahman | | |
| 1985 | Phooleshwari | Azizur Rahman | | |
| 1985 | Shaheb | Narayan Ghosh Mita | | |
| 1985 | Jhinuk Mala | Rosy Samad | | |
| 1985 | Poristhan | Md. Shahjahan Akand | | |
| 1986 | Sud Asal | Narayan Ghosh Mita | | |
| 1987 | Obishwas | Swapan Saha | | |
| 1988 | Moshal | Badrul Alam | | |
| 1988 | Kartabya | Swapan Saha | | |
| 1988 | Jadu Mahal | Swapan Saha | | |
| 1988 | Sukher Shopno | Awkat Hossain | | |
| 1988 | Shaktishali | Swapan Saha | | |
| 1988 | Behula Lakindar | Chashi Nazrul Islam | | |
| 1989 | Bhool Bichar | Anjan Sarker | | |
| 1989 | Biraj Bou | Mohiuddin Faruqe | | |
| 1989 | Laila Amar Laila | M. A. Malek | | |
| 1989 | Kala Khoon | Darashikho | | |
| 1989 | Adarshaban | Abu Musa Debu | | |
| 1989 | Alal Dulal | Ebne Mizan | | |
| 1990 | Shimul Parul | Delwar Jahan Jhantu | Shimul | |
| 1990 | Jobab Chai | Mujibor Rahman | | |
| 1990 | Shesh Porichoy | Anjan Sarker | | |
| 1990 | Lakhe Ekta | Kazi Kamal | | |
| 1990 | Palki | Delwar Jahan Jhantu | | |
| 1990 | Kismat | Humayun Kabir | | |
| 1990 | Mia Bhai | Chashi Nazrul Islam | | |
| 1990 | Dukhini Ma | Delwar Jahan Jhantu | | |
| 1991 | Bhai Bhabi | Delwar Jahan Jhantu | | |
| 1991 | Surjo Sontan | Ayat Ali Patwari | | |
| 1991 | Lottery | Abdul Latif Bacchu | | |
| 1991 | Padma Meghna Jamuna | Chashi Nazrul Islam | Hashu | |
| 1992 | Khomotaban | Fazle Ahmed Benzir | | |
| 1992 | Bod Nosib | Sheikh Alauddin | | |
| 1992 | Bondhu Amar | Awkat Hossain | | |
| 1993 | Danga Fyasad | Chashi Nazrul Islam | | |
| 1993 | 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 | | |
| 1998 | E Jibon Tomar Amar | Jakir Hossain Raju | | |
| 1998 | Ekhono Onek Raat | Khan Ataur Rahman | Zahed | |
| 1998 | 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