Today marks the 74th birthday of the "Miah Bhai" of Dhaliwood, Farooque. The best way to commemorate the actor, brave freedom fighter and Member of Parliament is through one of his own anecdotes.

In a candid interview with our correspondent in 2018, he shared an event which took place at Dhaka Club, when Razzak, dubbed as the king of heroes or "Nayak Raj", had attacked popular entertainment journalist Ahmed Zaman Chowdhury over an arguement. The journalist had suffered from trauma, and bled from his head after the incident.

Media personalities Khan Ataur Rahman, Narayan Ghosh Mita, Kazi Jahir tried to handle the situation, but to no avail.

The case reached the police and gradually, most people went against him on the issue. As the incident took a turn for the worse, a faction conspired to surrender him to the law, and subsequently, end his career.

Farooque could easily have taken advantage of the situation, as him and Razzak were the biggest contemporary rivals. However, Razzak besought him to protect his honour and dignity, and the great actor complied. "It hurt me to see my dear colleague-turned friend's downfall. I frequented contact with Ahmed Zaman Chowdhury, and tried hard to reconcile the two," Farooque had said. 

During a rainy night, he bought Razzak to Ahmed Zaman Chowdhury's bedside at Holy Family Hospital; both of them were left startled. Only a handful of people know that it was Farooque, who worked behind the scene to bring them back together. 

Farooque and Razzak worked together in three movies, "Erao Manush", "Ma-er Anchal", "Shakhi Tumi Kar?" Despite their age gap, they had always shared a deep friendship.

Farooque debuted with H Akbar's "Jolchhobi" in 1971. In 2016, he was bestowed with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his illustrious career. Of the many films he graced, "Sareng Bou", "Lathiyal", "Sujan Sakhi", "Nayan Mani", "Miah Bhai", "Golapi Ekhon Train e", "Abar Tora Manush Ho", "Aalor Micchil", "Din Jay, Kotha Thake", "Kotha Dilam", "Surya Grahan", are  notable.

The legend is currently admitted at Singapore's Mount. Elizabeth Hospital. He has been bedridden in the ICU since March 21.

Translated by Neeladri Naviya Noveli