Humayun Faridi


Humayun Faridi was a Bangladeshi actor and drama organiser. He worked in television dramas, movies and theatre plays. He won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Actor for his lead role in the film Matritto. He was awarded Ekushey Padak posthumously in 2018 by the Government of Bangladesh.

Early life

Faridi was born in Narinda, Dhaka on 29 May 1952 to ATM Nurul Islam and Begum Farida Islam. He was the second among five siblings. Pinu was one of his sisters. In 1968, he passed the SSC exam from Islamia Government High School and in 1970 he passed the HSC from Chandpur Government College. In the same year, he entered the University of Dhaka to study organic chemistry. However, due to the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, it became impossible to continue his studies and he subsequently took part as a freedom fighter in the war. Later he was admitted to Jahangirnagar University to study economics and became a close associate of dramatist Selim Al-Deen.

Career

Faridi was discovered by dramatist Nasiruddin Yousuff, who went to serve as a judge to Jahangirnagar University where a play written, directed and acted by Faridi was staged. Faridi was one of the principal organizers of the 1976 Drama Festival of Jahangirnagar University. He joined as a member of the Dhaka Theatre. In 1978, he debuted his theater acting career in the Shakuntala rendition by Selim Al-Deen, playing the character, Tokkhok. After that, he performed in Phoni Monsha in 1980, Kirtankhola as Chaya Ranjan in 1981 and Keramat Mangal as Keramat in 1985. Faridi's last theatre acting was in the mid 1990s in a play called Bhut.
Faridi debuted in the television dramas through his performance in Nil Nakshar Shandaney in 1982. He went on to act in Bhangorer Shobdo Shuni, Songsoptok, Pathar Shomoy, Dui Bhai, Shiter Pakhi, Kothao Keu Nei, Shomudrey Gangchil, Kachher Manush, and Doll's House.
Faridi debuted his film acting career in the film Din-Mojur directed by Shahidul Islam Khokon. He went on to act in Shantrash, Top Rongbaz and Bish Daat.

Personal life

In the 1980s, Faridi married Nazmun Ara Begum Minu. They had one daughter – Shararat Islam Devyani. The couple got divorced after four years. He was then married to the actress Suborna Mustafa until 2008.
Faridi died on 13 February 2012 at his residence. He was suffering from chronic lungs disease.

Works

Television dramas

Films

Theatrical plays