Popular film actor Waseem passes away

Published : Sunday, 18 April, 2021 at 3:33 AM Count : 1570

Another actor of Bangladesh filmdom--Mesbahuddin Ahmed, who is popularly known as superstar Waseem, died at a private hospital in Dhaka after Saturday midnight. He was 74.

Bangladesh Film Artistes Association general secretary Zayed Khan confirmed about Waseem's death.

Zayed Khan said actor Waseem breathed his last at about 12:40am at Shahabuddin Medical College Hospital in Dhaka.

Waseem had been sick for a long time. Since he could not walk property, he used to pass his time either sitting or lying on bed at his house. He had been suffering from kidney, lung and eye diseases, and also from high blood pressure. As his condition deteriorated on Saturday night, he was rushed to Shahabuddin Medical College Hospital after 11:00pm where doctors pronounced him dead at 12:40am. His body was kept lying at the hospital where his son was staying at night.

Waseem joined the country's film arena through 'Rater Por Din' directed by Mohsin and released in 1973. He acted in the film as a hero. 'The Rain' directed by SM Shafi and released in 1976 brought name and fame for him. 'The Rain' was dubbed in 47 languages and shown in many theatres across the globe. He was one of the topmost artistes in many Bangla films between 1973 and 1990. Waseem acted in 152 films in his long acting career. Some 90 per cent of his movies were commercially blockbuster during that time.

Waseem was born in Sutrapur in the old Dhaka. He completed his matriculation from Mymensingh Zilla School and thereafter Intermediate from Anondomohan College in Mymensingh. He was graduated with BA (Honours) and MA in History from Dhaka University.

Waseem is the first bodybuilder actor of not only Bangladesh film industry but also the only actor from bodybuilding background at that time in South-East Asia . In 1964, he was crowned as 'Mr. East Pakistan' for bodybuilding and for being the most fit person of the then East Pakistan. He also served as the first Secretary General of National Sports Council. He was instrumental in bringing legendary famed boxer Muhammad Ali to Bangladesh during his tenure as the first Secretary General of National Sports Council. Waseem also got an offer to act in a Hollywood movie but he had to decline that offer due to other commitments.

Waseem was the father of two children in his personal life. He married younger sister of late noted actress Rosy. His son Dewan Fardin and daughter Bushra Ahmed. His wife died in 2000. In 2006, his daughter Bushra Ahmed committed suicide jumping from her school's rooftop at the age of 14. Son Fardin studied Law at Cardiff University in Wales, UK and settled there permanently.

SZA