Ekushey Padak winner ATM Shamsuzzaman, five years without a master character actor

Five years have passed since the death of veteran actor ATM Shamsuzzaman, one of Bangladesh’s most recognisable screen performers and a recipient of the Ekushey Padak for his contribution to cinema. He died on February 20, 2021, leaving behind a career that reshaped the craft of character acting across stage and screen.

Born on September 10, 1941, in Daulatpur, Noakhali, Shamsuzzaman began his acting journey with the Bangladesh Television drama serial “Sangsaptak”, directed by Abdullah Al Mamun. His portrayal of the antagonist Ramzan quickly drew public attention, establishing him as a formidable presence in television drama during a formative period for the medium.

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The actor made his early mark in cinema in 1972 with “Ora 11 Jon”, appearing as a war criminal in one of the country’s earliest post-Liberation War films. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he became closely associated with complex villainous roles, notably in films directed by Amjad Hossain, including Nayanmani and “Golapi Ekhon Traine”, where his performances added emotional weight to the narratives.

National recognition followed his appearance in “Asami”, directed by Dilip Biswas, which cemented his reputation as one of the country’s most compelling screen antagonists. Over the decades, he demonstrated remarkable range, appearing in more than 400 films, including “Surja Dighal Bari”, “Dayee Ke?”, “Shasti”, “Hajar Bachhar Dhore”, “Molla Barir Bou”, “Chander Moto Bou”, and “Mon Boshena Porar Table-a”.

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Shamsuzzaman received six Bangladesh National Film Awards across multiple categories — Best Actor for “Dayee Ke?” (1987); Best Comedy Actor for “Madam Fuli” (1999), “Churiwala” (2001), and “Mon Boshena Porar Table-a” (2009); Best Supporting Actor for “Chorabali” (2012); and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.

In 2015, he was honoured with the Ekushey Padak, one of the country’s highest civilian recognitions, in acknowledgement of his enduring contribution to Bangladeshi cinema.

Remembered equally for his intensity, versatility and unmistakable screen presence, Shamsuzzaman remains a defining figure in the evolution of modern Bangla film acting.