Long before Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir became a familiar face in Bangladesh’s political arena, he had another stage, quite literally. The BNP candidate for the presidency was once deeply involved in theatre in Thakurgaon, acting in and directing plays and even sharing the stage with two celebrated film stars.
Fakhrul, who is currently his party’s nominee in the race to become Bangladesh’s 23rd president, recently recalled his little-known cultural life on the popular magazine programme Ityadi.
“I have been involved with theatre in Thakurgaon since my student days” he said.
His connection with theatre began under the guidance of Phani Bhushan Pal and others. He later took on both acting and directing roles.
One of the most surprising chapters came when Fakhrul performed alongside his maternal cousin, celebrated actor Abdur Rahman, and legendary actor Anwar Hossain, known as the ‘Nawab of Dhaka cinema’. He also had the opportunity to direct plays involving the two stars.
But theatre was not his only path outside politics. Fakhrul also worked as a teacher before entering active politics.
When asked which of the three worlds he enjoyed most, Fakhrul’s choice was clear, culture.
That answer offers a glimpse of a side of the politician that rarely makes it into the headlines, a theatre enthusiast who once stood under the stage lights before finding himself under the far brighter spotlight of national politics.
