ATM Shamsuzzaman needs no introduction. The Ekushey Padak-winning actor, whose career spans over five decades, has won the hearts of millions by his stellar acting. It is only recently that he took a break due to his illness and the veteran artiste wishes to come back to his familiar world soon. Karoby Shihab of New Age met the actor who coursed her through the story of his life. Below are some excerpts.

Veteran film and television actor and screenplay writer Abu Taher Mohammad Shamsuzzaman, popularly known as ATM Shamsuzzaman, was born on September 10, 1941, at his maternal grandfather’s home in Daulatpur, Noakhali.

His father Nuruzzaman was a noted lawyer who used to work in Dhaka. So, Shamsuzzaman’s mother Nurunnessa Begum moved to Dhaka along with her new-born.

This couple had five sons and three daughters. ATM Shamsuzzaman was the eldest of them.

He spent his early childhood at their home in Debendranath Das Lane.

ATM Shamsuzzaman’s schooling began at Dhaka’s once famous Pogose School. Another powerful actor of Bangladesh film industry Prabir Mitra and famous cartoonist Rafiqun Nabi were ATM Shamsuzzaman’s friends at school.

He used to watch films with his mother, though his father was against it. Shamsuzzaman said just because of his mother he could gather enough courage to step into the realm of acting.

He always wanted to work in the film industry. In fact, acting was his passion from the very beginning.

An incident he mentioned provides an indication what he had to go through initially to pursue his passion.

‘I used to act in community programmes during my teen years. My father did not approve of this at all. He, at one point, announced that I was not allowed to stay with the family anymore, I was unwanted at home. I had to move out and start to live in a neighbour’s house. But my mother took care of me a lot. She used to bring food for me,’ ATM Shamsuzzaman recalled.

Though, ‘Gurey Bali’, which translates to wastage, was his first stage drama where he acted in a role of a passenger of a launch, everything that came after this was not wasted.

His father wanted him to be a lawyer. But ATM Shamsuzzaman was a very stubborn kid. He had harboured the dream of becoming an actor since his childhood.

He moved to Rajshahi with his uncle who was in the army. There he got admission in Lokonath High School.

Dr Muhammad Shahidullah was his relative. Shamsuzzaman used to call him ‘nana’, or grandfather. He had spent a lot of time with him in Rajshahi.

However, he wrote a short story titled ‘Obohela’, after being inspired by the tale of poet Ferdousi for his school magazine and showed it to Dr Muhammad Shahidullah for final revision.

That was the beginning of his writing career. Apart from spending time in writing, ATM Shamsuzzaman used go to books – he was an avid reader. He loved reading books of different authors but Rabindranath Tagore was and still is his favourite among all writers.

Later, when he was in class X, his uncle had to move to Mymensingh. ATM Shamsuzzaman completed his schooling from Mymensingh City Collegiate School. After passing the matriculation examination, he came back to Dhaka and started living with his family again. Later he got admitted to Jagannath College.

Once one of his friends informed him that Indian filmmaker Udayan Chowdhury needs an assistant for his film Bishkonnya. ATM Shamsuzzaman met him in his office. He was asked to write his name on a paper and Udayan appointed him as his assistant. This is how in 1961 he stepped into the world of film.

‘Udayan Chowdhury is my guru,’ he emphatically pointed out.

Anwar Hossian played hero in that film for the first time. Though the film was never released, it paved the way for ATM Shamsuzzaman to begin a career in the film industry.

He worked for some other noted filmmakers, including Khan Ataur Rahman, Kazi Zahir and Subhash Dutta, as assistant director

ATM Shamsuzzaman got married on March 15, 1968 to Runy Begum. The couple had three sons and three daughters.

ATM Shamsuzzaman has written over one hundred scripts as well. He made his debut as a screenplay writer with the film Jalchhabi. H Akbar was the director of the film. Actor Farooque was introduced to the industry through Jalchhabi where actress Kabori Sarwar played the female lead.

Shamsuzzaman used to write stories and poems for newspaper as well. He considers writer Ranesh Dasgupta as his mentor in the literary arena. Ranesh Dasgupta used to go through his write-ups every time he needed a second pair of eyes to ensure quality.

Besides, ATM Shamsuzzaman expresses his gratitude to educationist Ajit Kumar Guha, novelist Alauddin Al Azad, Dr Hasan Hafizur Rahman and others for grooming him during his college days.

ATM Shamsuzzaman’s acting career saw its start when he acted in a film as a substitute actor. He also began to work as a prompter in films.

As an actor his first venture was a drama serial named Songsoptok directed by Abdullah al Mamun, which aired on Bangladesh Television. There ATM Shamsuzzaman played the role of a petty villain named Ramzan. The serial was a super hit of that time and he became popular among the audience.

ATM Shamsuzzaman recalled the tumultuous days of the liberation war.

‘It was a very crucial time. We had nowhere to hide. Many people took shelter in India. But, as I was a known face I could not leave. I was in Dhaka the entire time,’ said ATM Shamsuzzaman.

In 1972, he appeared as a war criminal in the film Ora Egaro Jon. He started playing both comical and negative characters. He acted in Amzad Hossain’s film Noyonmoni and Golapi Ekhon Trene lending his weight to the characters that were central to the story but were villains. Later Shamsuzzaman earned nationwide popularity for his portrayal as a villain in Dilip Biswas’ film Ashami. From then on, he did not have to look back.

He has played different roles in over 400 films till date.

He has Surja Dighal Bari, Dayee Ke, Shasti, Hajar Bochor Dhore, Molla Barir Bou, Chander Moto Bou, Mon Boshena Porar Tebile and others popular films are under his belt.

However, as an artiste ATM Shamsuzzaman still craves for more challenging characters.

Which character is his most favourite? His reply bears the signs of discontentment.

‘I don’t think I got my desired role yet. But I will mention a few films which I like the most.’

Surja Dighal Bari, Chapa Dangar Bou and Biroho Betha are the films which the veteran actor feels have had an original dimension to them.

But how does he feel about the negative characters he has been playing?

‘I just followed the director’s command. I know I am popular enough as a villain, but I did not like most of the characters. I earned money by those films but it did not give me satisfaction.’

‘People used to throw at me negative comments after seeing me in real life. I remember once I was walking down a road in the village a lady saw me and she just ran away thinking I was a bad person in real life,’ ATM Shamsuzzaman remembered with a hearty laughter.

Apart from the silver screen, the seasoned actor has been busy with TV dramas as well. He had track record of working in famous TV serials like Ranger Manush, Noashal, Vober Hat, Greehogalpa and others.

Over the last five decades, ATM Shamsuzzaman has directed one film titled ‘Ebadat’. He had written the story and acted in the film as well. Eminent actors like Riaz, Shabnur, Prabir Mitra, Dolly Johur, Zamilur Rahman Shakha and others played different roles in Ebadat.

He has plans to direct more films.

‘If the almighty allows me, I’ll direct another film. The film will depict the society and its odds and errors,’ said ATM Shamsuzzaman shedding light on his future plans.

For his contribution to acting, he was awarded the Bangladesh National Film Award five times for his roles in Dayee Ke (1987), Madam Fuli (1999), Churiwala (2001), Mon Bosena Porar Tebile (2009) and Chorabali (2012). In 2015, he received prestigious Ekushey Padak.

ATM Shamsuzzaman is about to be 80 years old soon. Already he has been through six major operations. He faces difficulties moving even from one room to another. He is now focused on his recovery.

‘It’s a miracle that I am still alive. I am grateful to Allah for this,’ said the veteran actor.

He wishes to be back in acting soon.

‘I used to work for minimum 18 hours a day. But due to my illness I am not working now. I miss acting. I seek wellbeing from almighty so that I can work again,’ said ATM Shamsuzzaman. The hope that glints in his eyes showing his urge to work again is a sign that may bring him back to the arena where he belongs.

ATM Shamsuzzaman has worked with numerous actors and actresses. He is sorely missed in the acting arena nowadays — his co-artistes still expect that his presence will soon illuminate the sets of shooting.

‘I am blessed that I received so much love and respect from my co-artistes. I am still in communication with many of them. They come to my house and often invite me to join them. Few days ago actress Shuchorita invited me to her home,’ Shamsuzzaman said.

Between film and teleplay, which media does he prefer the most? His reply simply put the issue to rest. 

‘Acting is both my profession and passion. I don’t differentiate between a film and a drama, either are suitable. I respect my work and I try to do my level best.’

Among the hero and heroines of Bangladeshi film industry, ATM Shamsuzzaman mentioned Razzak and Shabana as his favourite. He has his own rationale behind his choices. 

‘Shabana is a very punctual lady. Her punctuality made her successful, I think,’ the actor observed.

ATM Shamsuzzaman feels that today the industry is faced with a crisis and is going through a fallow period. He thinks filmmakers should work based on novels penned by noted authors.

‘Story is the soul of a film. People will not watch the film if the story is not up to the mark. Films based on literary works can change the scenario,’ he said.

He also has a cautionary word for the industry, ‘The directors should stop manipulating stories.’

‘There are three kinds of films – commercial, parallel and classic. In our country, you will not find a single classic film. A film director cannot promote cruelty in a classic film. In parallel films a very limited amount of violence is allowed but in the commercial films, a director is allowed to show anything they want,’ ATM Shamsuzzaman describes how films are conceived through the genres specific to our industry.

He said commercial films are also necessary but in the name of making commercial films, few filmmakers are overturning all things ethical.

‘They are showing anything without caring about ethical issues. These films don’t mean anything to me,’ he said with a hint of rage in his voice.

At present, ATM Shamsuzzaman is living with one of his daughters, Koyel Ahmed, who is resident at Basundhara residential area in Dhaka.

He spends most of his time praying and watching TV.

He loves watching good quality films. Alongside Bengali language films, he enjoys international films as well.

He admires Indian actor Soumitra Chatterjee for his acting; in Hollywood he sees Gregory Peck towering over the rest. Speaking about his favourite actors, he also mentioned the name of Anthony Quinn, the American actor known for his ability to tackle quirky roles.

While praising and expressing his fondness about the Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida, ATM Shamsuzzaman couldn’t hide his enthusiasm as he broke into an innocent laughter.

At this stage of life, the veteran actor considers himself a ‘happy person’.

‘I am grateful to the people of Bangladesh. Though I have played numerous negative characters, people loved me from the core of their hearts,’ said ATM Shamsuzzaman in an emotion-chocked voice.

He thinks the love he got from his fans is the best asset he could earn in his lifetime.

‘I have become old now. I play characters of grandfathers and uncles. I enjoy this as well. Doesn’t matter the character is a comedian, a villain or a grandfather, I am always respectful to my role. Acting gives me positive energy. I want to work till my last breath,’ the actor said with a certain resolve.

‘I still don’t have any plan for writing any book on myself. Let’s see what happens in the future,’ ATM Shamsuzzaman replied when queried about his plan on writing a biography.

Photos by Abdullah Apu