In Bangladeshi cinema, whenever a love story needed obstacles, character actors stepped in as villains. Among them, Fakira became a familiar face.
Though never a lead antagonist, he appeared in over 700 films, carving out a long career as one of the industry’s busiest supporting actors. Today, at the age of 65, the man who once filled screens with menace is living quietly, battling illness and hardship.
On screen, even in small roles, he was known for presenting himself neatly and in a stylish manner. But since the pandemic, Fakira has been completely cut off from cinema.
For the past year, Fakira has been almost speechless, his health severely weakened after suffering three strokes. Confined to his modest home in Geneva Camp, Mohammadpur, he now lives away from the world of film that once defined him.
Despite treatment in several Dhaka hospitals, his condition shows little improvement. His family, wife and two children, struggles to manage household and medical expenses.
“Fakira bhai has been ill for almost a year. He cannot speak, he only cries. Sometimes he behaves like a child, but he still recognizes people. When I called Misha bhai on video, Fakira waved,” Rahman said.
Recognizing his dire situation, the Film Artists Association has decided to extend financial assistance, confirmed at a meeting on Saturday. “We will support him in every way possible,” said Sony Rahman, executive member of the Bangladesh Film Artists Association, visited him.
Entering the industry in the 1980s, Fakira gained a reputation not just for villainous roles but also for his skill in action sequences. He shared screens with legends from Razzak and Alamgir to Salman Shah, Manna, Riaz and Shakib Khan.
For moviegoers of the 1990s, his presence was instantly recognizable. Off screen, he was known for arriving at FDC on his trademark white motorcycle, which even made appearances in several Salman Shah films.
Before entering the world of cinema, Fakira ran a small restaurant in Mohammadpur.
