Anwar Hossain

He dedicated his life for cinema. In his long acting career of over four decades, the seasoned actor has appeared in many challenging roles in about 500 movies. Thanks to his dedication and skill, Anwar Hossain has achieved a height in the history of Bangladeshi filmdom that very few actors have. As recognition to his kaleidoscopic acting career Anwar Hossain has been honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award in the recently announced national film award 2010 by the government.  
Hossain made his debut in ‘Tomar Amar’ in 1961, however, played the role of the hero in Salauddin’s Surja Snyan(1963). His performance as the titular in Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula (1967), placed him permanently in the heart of millions of movie lovers. Subsequently, Anwar Hossain has acted in a number of quality movies including Jiban Theke Neya, Kancher Deyal, Surja Sangram, Golapi Ekhon Traine, Lathial, Nachghar and many others and has successfully created the image of an ideal actor in the characters representing conscience.
The octogenarian actor, however, does not appear in films these days due to his old-age complications and severe asthma. Still, he managed time to talk about his films and achievements in an interview with New Age.
In expressing his feeling about the National Film Award-2010 Anwar Hossain just said in low voice, ‘I am happy that I have received the award.’    
He also informed that this was not his first national award winning; he received the award for Lathial in 1975, Golapi Ekhon Dhakai in 1978, Dayee Key? in 1987 along with many other awards and honours including Channel-I Film Mela Award in 2009, Chalachitra Darshak Forum in 2006 and Bangladesh Film Journalist Association Award in 1979.
He informed that he had acted in over 500 films. ‘I can’t remember the year but my first film was Tomar Amar and I have acted in about 500 films since the first film.’  
Anwar Hossain is reputed for acting in quality films; however, the artiste named three of his films — Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula, Palanka and Jiban Theke Niya — as his best-performed films.
Anwar expressed his deep contentment with his life as one of the most influential heroes of the country’s filmdom.
Anwar Hossain was born on November 6, 1931 in Jamalpur. The numerous films he acted in include Bishkanya, Shaheed Titumir, Binimoy, Jiban Theke Niya, Nijere Haraye Khuji, Golapi Ekhon Dhakai, Lutera, Shimar, Bhat De, Pension, Talachabi, Matir Koley, Tufan Mail and Marjada.