Amjad Hossain passes away

Bangladesh lost one of its greatest filmmakers Amjad Hossain yesterday.

The 76-year-old director, writer and actor passed away at Bumrungrad hospital in Bangkok nearly a month after suffering a stroke.

He left behind four sons, a daughter and thousands of fans to mourn his passing.

The Ekushey Padak winner was admitted to the ICU of Impulse hospital in Dhaka on November 18 after the stroke.

He was flown to Bangkok on a private jet on November 28 with contributions from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

His sons, renowned directors, Sohel Arman and Shazzad Hossain Dodul accompanied him.

Amjad was born on August 14, 1942 in Jamalpur. He had been interested in literature from childhood. He came to Dhaka in his teen years and became involved in writing and theatre.

In 1961, he debuted as an actor in Tomar Amar. He did only sporadic acting for a few years. During the 60s, he started working with eminent filmmaker, novelist and writer Zahir Raihan as an assistant director, from whom he also drew inspiration.

In his illustrious career, he won many national awards and directed classic films like Golapi Ekhon Traine, Noyonmoni and Bhaat De.

He made his directorial debut with Agun Niye Khela in 1967, which made it clear that he was a force to be reckoned with. His vision and precision as a filmmaker were evident in hits like Dui Poishar Alta, Koshai, Jonmo Theke Jolchhi, Shundori, Hiramoti, Shokhinar Juddho, Golapi Ekhon Dhakay and Golapi Ekhon Bilet E.

Most of his films were critically acclaimed and well received by the masses.

His last silver-screen endeavour Kal Shokale was released in 2005.

But he continued directing and acting on the small screen, which was not altogether new to him.

One of his most endeared works for TV was his titular role in the 1972 BTV series Jobbar Ali, which was based on story he wrote. During the golden days of BTV in the 70s and 80s, he appeared in many popular dramas as an actor. BTV's immensely popular Agun Laga Shondha and award-winning Uthan were directed by him.

When he returned to the small screen after 2005, he occasionally appeared as an actor on dramas directed by his son, Sohel Arman. The last series he appeared in was Chobbish Bochor Por. He also occasionally directed Eid specials.

Amjad's talent was versatile and he excelled in whichever medium he ventured into. He wrote on the Liberation War for children and grownups. For his contribution to Bangla literature, he received the coveted Bangla Academy Award. Some of his notable works are Rokter Dalpala, Ful Batashi, Ram Rahim and Dhraupadi Ekhon Dhakay.

He also bagged the National Film Award for the best movie, best dialogue, best script, best direction and best music direction in the 70s and 80s.

In 1992, he received the Ekushey Padak, one of Bangladesh's highest civilian honours, for his contributions to the film industry.

Ahsan Habib Nasim, general secretary of the Actor's Equity Bangladesh, told The Daily Star that the process for bringing back his body is under way.

Amjad will be remembered as one of the most gifted individuals that Bangladesh's entertainment industry has ever seen whose works profoundly influenced many young artistes of this generation.