ATM Shamsuzzaman, the name of one of the brightest stars in the sky of Bengali film. No adjective is compatible before his name for he has raised a storm in the silver screen with his impeccable skills. The audience not only laughed at his comedies but also cried to his emotions for innumerable times. Qualities that enchant audiences, he had all to stand as a successful actor.
He has been ill for a long time and subsequently, rumors of his death repeatedly expanded their branches on social media for a number of times. Eventually, the legend has said goodbye making everyone cry. A bright star has gone beyond sight. Bengali film industry has lost a prominent actor.
The Ekushey Medal-winning veteran actor, left this world towards infinity on Sunday (February 20) after a long-term illness, at his own house located in Sutrapur of the Capital. He began dominating in the country's drama-cinema screen writing and production history since his start, in his own skill.
This country might not have been gifted with an actor with longer and deeper acting life than him, who has ventured in almost every branch of acting with fabulous success. He was also a director, screen writer, dialogue writer and storyteller. He has collected accolades as an actor in the industry and there is no need to mention the love of the audience for him.
ATM Shamsuzzaman started acting from the stage. Starting his film career as a comedian, he got much appreciated.
This star was born on 10 September 1941 at his grandfather’s in Daulatpur, Noakhali. He had his village home at Boro Bari of Bholakot in Laxmipur and the ancestral house at SutrapurDebendranath Das Lane in Dhaka.
Shamsuzzaman was the eldest of five brothers and three sisters.
ATM wrote the first story and screenplay for the film 'Jolchobi’ directed by Narayan Ghosh Mita. Famous actor, Faruque made his acting debut through this film. Shamsuzzaman wrote screenplays and stories for more than a hundred films.
This legendary actor first appeared on the screen as an actor in 1965 but became the talk of the industry in 1976 with the role of a villain in Amjad Hossain's film 'Nayanamani'. He won the National Film Award six times and the first one came in 1987, for Best Actor for his role in Kazi Hayat's ‘DaiyiKe?’ This lengend was awarded with the ‘EkusheyPadak’ in 2015, for his contribution to the arts.
In 1961, he worked as an assistant director in 'Bishkonya' directed by Udatan Chowdhury. Since then, this star had worked as an assistant director to Khan Ataur Rahman, KaziZahir and SubhashDutt. However, he made his debut as a director in 2009, with a film called 'Ebadat' casting the Shabnur-Riaz duo. In the early acting career, Shamsuzzaman had involvement in TV dramas in the sixties which continued till the end.
Notable films he played the roles as an actor include 'Boro Bou', 'Ora Egaro Jon', 'Slogan’ , 'Shongram', 'Lathial’, 'Ovagi', ‘Nayanmoni', 'Jadur Bashi', 'Golapi Ekhon Traine', 'Surja Dighal Bari', 'Chutir Ghonta', 'Lal Kajol','Ramer Sumati', ‘DayeeKe?', 'Ajante', 'Madam Fuli' , 'Churiwala', 'Odhikar', 'Shasti', 'Mollabarir Bou', 'Hazar Bochor Dhore', 'Mon Boshena Porar Tebile', 'Ebadat' and so on.
His notable TV series include 'Ronger Manush', 'Bhober Hat', 'Ghor Kutum', etc.
ATM Shamsuzzaman will be missed on the screens of Bengali films and TV dramas. But this immortal star will not stop shinning, ever, in the sky of the heart of the audiences.
The death of ATM Shamsuzzaman has cast a shadow of mourning over the cinema industry. The celebrities of the country have expressed their condolences. Facebook, the social media seems to be a mourning book. His longtime colleagues are emotionally broken.
Bobita, a renowned film actress told reminiscing, “I was 10 or 12 when Shuchonda made her early start in the films. ATM used to come to our house for shooting when we resided at Gendaria. I was appreciated by him every time I acted good and he suggested how to get better. He had acting in his blood and thus, he could make himself suitable for any role.
This level of dedication is not usually seen in the artists.’’
The country's top hero Shakib Khan has also expressed deep grief saying in his facebook page, “He is one of the wisest men in the field of film. But he was such a simple man, with whom everything could be said frankly. It is difficult to find such people with numerous skills at this time. I have countless memories with this simple man at work or out of work. I am mourning the loss of my favorite actor as well as the loss of a guardian. Wherever you are, stay well ATM Shamsuzzaman Uncle.”
