Saturday marked the 69th birth anniversary of the late Ekushey Padak and National Film Award-winning actor Humayun Faridee, one of the most iconic and beloved actors in Bangladesh, reports UNB.

Born at Narinda in Old Dhaka in 1952, Faridee left his mark in all the sectors of the entertainment industry of Bangladesh including theatre, television and film during his three-decades-long acting career. Remembering his career and legacy, celebrities and creative visionaries shared their wishes to the short-lived maestro actor on social media on his 69th anniversary of birth.

Dhallywood’s most popular actor Shakib Khan remembered Faridee through an elaborated note on the actor from his production house SK Film’s Facebook page, saying, “Humayun Faridee Bhai was one of the most talented and acclaimed actors of the country. He used to portray the middle-class social life of us, the Bengali people, and he made us happy through his performances. Be it drama or movies – whenever he appeared on screen, viewers have always been awestruck. He never disappointed through his acting which was so lively that it always felt like the stories and people around him came alive through his own performance.”

Narrating the struggle of the journeyman, the post said, “After conquering the drama and theatre arena, Faridee Bhai came into the film industry. Little by little through his presence and finest quality acting, the definition of a villain in Bengali cinema got drastic transformation. In his versatile career, Faridee Bhai has acted in about 250 films. Consistently for three decades, Faridee Bhai kept the entire Bengali nation stunned by his charismatic magical performances. Respect and love for this short-lived actor, on his birthday.”

Popular director Mabrur Rashid Bannah wrote, “Faridee bhai once said that ‘If people say something about you in your back, you know you’re doing something noteworthy, which they are not capable of doing. Don’t worry. You do your work with concentration and dedication. You will win’. May Allah bless you, happy birthday.”

Echoing the same quote, noted director Chayanika Chowdhury wrote, “I always remember these precious words. Whenever I get disheartened and find myself in a lot of trouble, I think about these words and I feel good. Happy Birthday, Humayun Faridee. Your emptiness is irreplaceable. I miss the sincerity of your time, love for work, respect for the directors. You are just Only One. I hope you are in peace. Respect.”

Remembering the legend, one of the finest and most popular actors in the country Chanchal Chowdhury wrote, “Today is Faridee bhai’s birthday. Respect and love for this short-lived actor.”

Faridee began his acting career as a Jatra artist at an early age, which he later accelerated through working in theatre while studying at Jahangirnagar University. Through joining Dhaka Theatre, Humayun Faridee started proving himself as one of the finest actors of his time by his amazing performances in noted productions including Shakuntala, Keramat Mangal, Kittankhola, Muntasir Fantasy and more.

He debuted on television in 1980 with the teleplay Nikhoj Sangbad, produced by Atiqul Haque Chaudhury for Bangladesh Television. He later starred in several teleplays and continued his successful journey as a versatile television actor with his tremendous performances in Sangshaptak, Kothao Keu Nei, Nil Nokshar Sondhane, Durbin Diye Dekhun, Bhangoner Shobdo Shuni, Bokulpur Koto Dur, Ekti Lal Shari etc. Kankata Ramjan in Abdullah Al Mamun’s drama series Sangshaptak was his most notable performances, earning him massive popularity across the country.

Faridee debuted in the film industry with Santrash (1990), marking his first mainstream film appearance as an actor. As Shakib Khan quoted, he changed the definition of villainous characters.

As a versatile actor, Humayun Faridee is remembered for his amazing acting in films including Vondo, Hulia, Dahan, Joyjatra, Shyamal Chhaya, Bachelor and others. For his tremendous performance, he was awarded the National Film Award for his acting in Matritwa in 2004 and later got posthumously awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2018. Humayun Faridee passed away after suffering from chronic lung disease on February 13, 2012.