Obaidul Huq

On October 28, renowned film personalities and journalists came together at Zahir Raihan Colour Lab Auditorium of Bangladesh Film Development Corporation to pay tribute to the late journalist Obaidul Huq. Bangladesh Film Directors' Association (BFDA) organised a discussion on the occasion.
Eminent journalist and former editor of the Bangladesh Observer, Obaidul Haque, passed away on October 13.
The discussants recalled him as a brave and creative individual until death at the age of 96. He was the first Bengali Muslim filmmaker in the subcontinent; daring to take up the challenge of making films, leaving his secured job as a civil servant, at an unfavourable time. Discussants also brought into focus his contribution as a journalist.
Chashi Nazrul Islam, who worked as an assistant director to Obaidul Huq in the film Dui Diganta in 1963, called him “a complete man, a rarity in the Bangladeshi film industry”. Islam recalled Huq's honest, responsible and warm personality that is difficult to find. He said Huq was like a "father figure" to him.
Journalist Mahfuzullah said, “Obaidul Huq showed us the way to an honest and creative life overcoming prevailing limitations.” “He was especially sympathetic to his subordinates,” he added.
Veteran filmmaker Soovas Dutt shared his memories of acting in the film Dui Diganta. Actress-director Kabori Sarwar called for making a documentary on Obaidul Huq. Filmmaker Amjad Hossain called Huq the “first fighter in our filmdom”.
Editor of the News Today Riazuddin Ahmed, president of National Press Club Shawkat Mahmud and general secretary of National Press Club Kamal Uddin Sabuj; veteran journalist Gias Kamal Chowdhury; theatre and TV personality M. Hamid; son of Obaidul Huq, Arham Masudul Huq; journalist Ahmed Zaman Chowdhury; filmmaker Shibly Sadick and president of BFDA Shawkat Jamil also spoke at the discussion. General secretary of BFDA Shah Alam Kiron coordinated the proceedings.