Abu Taher Mohammad Shamsuzzaman (; 10 September 1941 – 20 February 2021) was a Bangladeshi film and television actor, director, and screenwriter. He was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2015 by the government of Bangladesh. He won Bangladesh National Film Awards five times for his roles in Dayee Ke? (1987), Madam Fuli (1999), Churiwala (2001), Mon Bosena Porar Table E (2009), and Chorabali (2012).
Early life and career Shamsuzzaman was born into a Bengali Muslim family at his maternal home in Daulatpur, Noakhali, on 10 September 1941. His ancestral paternal home is in Bholakot Boro Bari in Ramganj, Lakshmipur District. His father was Nuruzzaman, a wakil who worked with A. K. Fazlul Huq, and his mother was Nurunnisa Begum. Shamsuzzaman was the eldest child of a family of five brothers and three sisters. Growing up, he didn't plan on being an actor, he wanted to be a doctor.
His family moved to Dhaka and lived in Debendranath Das Lane in Old Dhaka. He began his schooling in Dhaka at Pogose School, where he was friends with Prabir Mitra, who would also grow up to be an actor. His film career began with filmmaker Udayan Chowdhury as an assistant director in the films "Manusher Bhagban" and "Bishwokanya". He got his breakthrough through his role in the film "Nayanmoni" (1976), directed by Amjad Hossain. Earlier he played the role of Ramzan in the play Sangsaptak, aired in 1960.
Controversy According to a probe report of the "Nilima Ibrahim Committee", a six-member committee led by educationist Nilima Ibrahim, Shamsuzzaman was suspended from the television and radio programmes because of his alleged role in favor of the Pakistan army during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. According to him; during the Liberation war the Pakistani Army forced him to attend a radio drama for which he was accused of an alleged role in favor of Pakistan.
Personal life Shamsuzzaman married Runy Begum on 15 March 1968. They had three sons and three daughters. On 13 March 2012, his younger son, A. T. M. Kholikuzzaman Kushol (1977–2023), murdered his older son, A. T. M. Kamaluzzaman Kabir (1975–2012). by stabbing him with a knife. A. T. M. Kamaluzzaman Kabir got into an argument and misbehaved with Shamsuzzaman, which is why A. T. M. Kholikuzzaman Kushol stabbed A. T. M. Kamaluzzaman Kabir. Shamsuzzaman Shamsuzzaman testified in court, and in 2014, Kushol was sentenced to life in prison. On 30 October 2023, ATM Kholikuzzaman was found dead in the Barishal Jayanti River.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1974 Sangram 1976 Nayanmoni 1979 Surja Dighal Bari 1981Bhalo ManushMotindar 1985 Annay Abichar 1986Chapa Dangar BouSetap Moral 1987 Dayee Ke? Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Actor 1989 Ghor Bhanga Songshar 1996 Unknowingly Premer Somadhi 1999 Tomar Jonno Pagol 2002 Shoshurbari Zindabad 2003 Adhiar Nayeb Jamai Shashur 2004 Shasti 2005 Amar Swapno Tumi Hajar Bachhor Dhore Molla Babrir Bou 2008 Akkel Alir Nirbachon 2009 Chander Moto Bou Mon Boshena Porar Tebile Ebadat also director 2010 Bishaash 2011 Kusum Kusum Prem Guerrilla 2012 Chorabali Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor Lal Tip
Awards and nominations Ekushey Padak (2015)
Year Awards Category Film Result 1987 National Film Awards Best Film Actor Opekkha 1999 National Film Awards Best Comedy Actor Madam Fuli 2001 National Film Awards Best Comedy Actor Churiwala 2009 National Film Awards Best Comedy Actor Mon Bosena Porar Table E 2012 National Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Chorabali 2018 National Film Awards Special contribution in the film industry 2019Bulbul Ahmed Memorial Award
Death Shamsuzzaman died at his residence in Sutrapur neighborhood of Dhaka on 20 February 2021 at around 9 am. He had been suffering from various diseases due to old age for a long time.
References
External links
ATM Shamsuzzaman on Facebook