Jashim, the freedom fighter of 1971 and widely regarded as the father of action films in Dhakai cinema, was known on screen as the champion of the exploited and deprived. During times of national crisis, he took up arms both in real life and through the stories he portrayed, leaving an indelible mark on Bengali cinema.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Jashim became one of the most popular heroes of Bangladeshi films. He was celebrated not only for his action-packed roles but also as a “lottery-winning” hero, frequently seen on screen as a man who wins the lottery only to be cheated by villains. These iconic scenes continue to circulate on social media, keeping his legacy alive.
Wednesday, October 8, marks Jashim’s death anniversary. He passed away in 1998 due to a brain illness, leaving the country he had once fought for and never returning.
Born on August 14, 1950, in Boxnagar, Keraniganj, Dhaka, Jashim began his career as a villain but quickly rose to stardom as a leading man. He made his big-screen debut in 1972 with Devar and gained widespread recognition with Dost Dushman, the Bangladeshi remake of Bollywood’s Sholay.
Over his career, Jashim acted in more than 300 films. His on-screen pairings with Shabana and Rozina were major box office hits. Some of his notable films include ‘Toofan’, ‘Jobab’, ‘Nag Naginir Prem’, ‘Barud’, ‘Koshai’, ‘Nabab Jadi’, Kalia’, ‘Banglar Nayok’, ‘Shami Keno Ashami’, ‘Tiger’, ‘Habildar’ and ‘Bhalobasar Ghor’.
In his personal life, Jashim first married actress Sucharita. Later, he married Nasrin, the daughter of actress Purnima Sengupta. He has three sons: AK Sami, the late AK Ratul and AK Rahul, all of whom are involved in music. Tragically, AK Ratul passed away a few months ago.
Jashim’s legacy as an action hero and cultural icon continues to inspire generations, both on and off the screen.
