Celebrated actor, elocutionist and cultural personality Syed Hasan Imam turned 88 today. Born in 1935 in Burdwan in the Indian state of West Bengal, Hasan Imam has an illustrious acting career spanning over five decades. 

He is well-respected for his contributions to the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra and Liberation War of 1971.

Veteran actors Mamunur Rashid, Raisul Islam Asad and Tariq Anam Khan spoke about him to The Daily Star on his 88th birth anniversary. 

Mamunur Rashid: 

Hasan Imam is a true patriot. His contribution to any democratic movement in this country is enormous. He has made a place in our hearts for a long time.

He always stood by the cultural artistes of this country. 

He made efforts to organize the artistes during the Pakistan regime. He has always come forward for the welfare of artistes. His contribution to this cultural industry can't be forgotten. He started his career with acting, but he started working for the welfare of the cultural industry later. He joined Swadhin Bangla Betar during the liberation war. In his production, I wrote a play for Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra. He is a courageous man.

Much love and blessings for him on his birthday.

Raisul Islam Asad

I was the hero in the film "Ghuddi". However, Hasan Imam made me act as a villain in his film "Lal Sobuj-er Pala". He was our mentor. He mainly played the role of protagonists in his acting career. He appeared on screen not only in Bengali cinema, but also in Urdu films. I have watched his Bengali and Urdu films from cinema halls a lot of times. When he asked me to play the role of a villain in the film "Lal Sobuj-er Pala", I didn't have the guts to say no because I knew him earlier. He was active in organizations like Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Commiitee and Udichi. 

Tariq Anam Khan

There was a time when I used to buy the tickets for his films. These memories are still engraved on my heart. He was the hero in many films like "Dharapat", "Janajani", "Onek Diner Chena". I went to Delhi National School of Drama, just because of him. That's why I will be forever grateful to him. I started my acting career with him. One day he suddenly told me that he is making a film namely "Lal Sobuj-er Pala" and he wanted me to be the hero of his film. I am so grateful to him for that. Much love, respect and appreciation for him on his 88th birthday.