National Award winning actor Akbar Hossain Pathan, known by his stage name Farooque, has now dedicated himself to politics, since he is now a Member of Parliament for Dhaka -17.

The actor has worked in more than 150 films in his career, and is considered as one of the most dominant actors of his time. Most of his works were critically acclaimed and commercially successful.

Farooque was involved in student politics, and participated in the six-point movement in 1966. He was inspired by the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and participated in the Liberation War of Bangladesh as well.

Born and brought up in old Dhaka, Farooque's hometown is in Gazipur, Kaliganj. In his youth, he used to attend stage shows that took place in his area, along with his friends.. "Coincidently, I didn't realise when did I fell in love with acting!" shares Farooque.

His journey in films began with Jolchhobi  in 1971. Khan Ataur Rahman's Abar Tora Manush Ho (1973) took him to superstardom. Later, he was featured in iconic movies like Lathial (1975), Sujon Sokhi (1975), Amzad Hossain's Golapi Ekhon Train e (1978), Abdullah Al Mamun's Sareng Bou (1978), and Chashi Nazrul Islam's Mia Bhai (1987), among others.

Farooque never celebrates his birthday, as it is on the same month as the national mourning day. "After 1975, I never felt like celebrating this day," he affirms. "Life is like a river, it keeps flowing as long as it has life. What matters most is what we do for our society." Although he is away from the silverscreens for many years now, he is fulfilling his duty towards the people. He wishes to serve the country as long as he can.