Humayun Ahmed, a legendary writer brought life to each of his characters through his writings. The whole nation longed for his TV dramas, as people of all classes glued themselves to their TV screens when his dramas aired.
His writings had such gravity that some of his dialogues have turned into national slogans. Audience still reminisce his TV dramas by ‘binging’ them on the internet.
Dhaka Tribune’s Showtime celebrates his 70th birthday by featuring the author’s some of the famous characters he sketched with his words and direction. From a local goon, roaming the streets to the next door neighbour, Humayan Ahmed has presented some of the most eccentric characters, which have broken stereotypes or redefined culture. Let us walk through seven of his most legendary characters that television has ever screened.
Baaker Bhai from ‘Kothao Keo Nei’The first name that pops up in our minds when talking about a Humayan Ahmed character is Baaker Bhai, a local goon can be compared to a snail – hard on the outside but soft from the inside - from “Kothao Keo Nei.” Constantly accompanied by his two associates, Bodi and Mojnu, their names also became familiar like Baaker Bhai himself.
The steel key chain spinning character’s favourite song, “Hawa Mein Udta Jaaye,” also turned into a popular track, which played on repeat at every tea stalls and restaurants all around the country.
The whole nation even cried and became depressed after Baaker Bhai was jailed, following his trial. Posters and wall arts popped up all over Bangladesh demanding for his freedom. Humayun had even received an invitation letter of a funeral ceremony for the character, who was killed off in the series.
While created by Humayan Ahmed, Baaker Bhai was brought to life by Asaduzzaman Noor in the TV series
. Other popular characters from the series were Moti, Muna and Kuttawali, who will continue to live on like Baaker Bhai.
Farid Mama from ‘Bohubrihi’A large man with circular glasses is always tensed regarding many issues. Sometimes he thinks about the fish crisis while other times he is easily bothered by the housemaid. This is Farid Mama’s character in another famous TV drama titled “Bohubrihi,” both written and scripted by Humayun Ahmed.
Farid Mama’s character was outspoken, where the writer intentionally penned the character as socially awkward. If that was not the case, it would have been very hard to execute some of his strong, thoughtful, humorous and satirical dialogues during a time when the country was under a military dictatorship.
Some of his famous dialogues were - “Kothar moddhe kotha bola ami ekdom pochondo kori na (I do not like to be interrupted while I am speaking),” “Beshi kotha bola amar pochondo na (I do not like talking too much),” “Public er mukh toh ar bondho kora jaabe na (You cannot keep people’s mouths shut).”
Among them, the most famous was “Tui razakar (You are a razakar),” which also coincidentally has become the popular slogan of the protesters who demand capital punishment to all 1971 war criminals.
Farid Mama was portrayed by veteran actor Aly Zaker, with his extraordinary acting skills which immortalised the awkward but rebellious character. In a past interview, Aly Zaker said: “While I was acting in a serious role on stage with pin drop silence all over the theatre, right then, someone from the crowd yelled ‘Mama! (uncle),’ and the whole crowd burst into laughter.”
Yunus from ‘Maatir Pinjirar Majhe Bondi Hoiya Re’Nandail’er Yunus or Yunus from Nandail from the TV drama “Maatir Pinjirar Majhe Bondi Hoiya Re,” is a mysterious village guy, who always wears a monkey cap and a wool scarf around his neck. If asked who he is, he replies, in a serious tone: “I am no one.”
Nandail’er Yunus is a contract killer, who travels to a village to kill a teacher for Tk20,000. The quiet and dark characteristics, played by Asaduzzaman Noor, resonated with the audience since the character battles with his inner demons for killing an innocent. Like Mirza and Baaker Bhai, Noor has also immortalised this character onto screen.
Elachi from ‘Ayomoy’Elachi, wife of Mirza, played by Asaduzzaman Noor, is one of another iconic character penned by the legendary writer. A versatile character, Elachi is fluid like water, who can take any form depending on the circumstances, soft or vengeful when necessary.
Elachi removed Mirza’s first wife, played by Lucky Enam, from her home, to keep her position intact in the household. Although in pain, when her husband marries his third wife, Labanga, Elachi she kept a straight and arrogant face throughout in front of everyone.
For instance, while Kashem, played by Abul Hayat, falls ill, she sends a doctor to see him, also mentioning to kill him (Kashem) if necessary. These were some of Elachi’s features which were brilliantly executed by Sara Zaker.
People now continue to see Sara Zaker as Elachi, though the team behind “Ayomoy,” was sceptic casting her for the character.
Titular character Khadok After a man eats a whole cow, he becomes a local attraction for people from nearby villages. The visitors call him “Khadok (eater),” which is also the title of this TV drama, written by Humayun Ahmed and portrayed by Professor Mozammel Haque.
Locals laugh at him for his eating habits yet do not care or foresee the consequences to his health, or how his family is conditioned with sorrow and suffering. This thought-provoking character is another creation by Humayun which still lives in its audience’s hearts.
Anis from ‘Aaj Robibar’
Anis, played by Zahid Hasan, is a very bright student who wears very thick glasses. After receiving outstanding results in both his SSC and HSC exams, he lives with a family in Dhaka as a paying guest, since he could not find a seat at his university dorm.
The two girls of that family, Konka and Titli, love him very much but Anis does not understand their feelings, addressing them as Konka Bhaiya and Titli Bhaiya. He even listens to cassettes of lectures in his leisure time as if his whole world is surrounded by books and studies only. Anis, who is scared to death just by seeing a rubber snake, overpowers the love triangle between him and the two sisters.
At one part of the famous TV drama “Aaj Robibar,” he even overshadows the two central characters, played by Abul Hayat and Suborna Mustafa.
Zahid won the hearts of millions by playing the slightly mad genius who just loves studying.
Rohima’r Maa from ‘Bohubrihi’ Rohima’r Maa or Rohima’s mother is the role model of every housemaid in Bangladesh. Stereotypes like why housemaids can’t wear glasses or why they can’t suggest on family decisions, since they are a part of the family, were put-forth through this character.
Humayun pointed out a society’s attention to unnecessary showing-off of capitalist formalities, for instance when the doctor greets the housemaid, Rohima’r Maa, as a family member in the TV drama.
The writer pointed out the petty social class conflicts with the confusion of the doctor, when he sees the housemaid wearing a pair of glasses and kept herself clean. The writer, through the portrayal of this character, points out a ton of social and economic class tensions of our society, which was immortalised by Mahmuda Khatun.
Baaker Bhai from ‘Kothao Keo Nei’The first name that pops up in our minds when talking about a Humayan Ahmed character is Baaker Bhai, a local goon can be compared to a snail – hard on the outside but soft from the inside - from “Kothao Keo Nei.” Constantly accompanied by his two associates, Bodi and Mojnu, their names also became familiar like Baaker Bhai himself.
The steel key chain spinning character’s favourite song, “Hawa Mein Udta Jaaye,” also turned into a popular track, which played on repeat at every tea stalls and restaurants all around the country.
The whole nation even cried and became depressed after Baaker Bhai was jailed, following his trial. Posters and wall arts popped up all over Bangladesh demanding for his freedom. Humayun had even received an invitation letter of a funeral ceremony for the character, who was killed off in the series.
While created by Humayan Ahmed, Baaker Bhai was brought to life by Asaduzzaman Noor in the TV series. Other popular characters from the series were Moti, Muna and Kuttawali, who will continue to live on like Baaker Bhai.Farid Mama from ‘Bohubrihi’A large man with circular glasses is always tensed regarding many issues. Sometimes he thinks about the fish crisis while other times he is easily bothered by the housemaid. This is Farid Mama’s character in another famous TV drama titled “Bohubrihi,” both written and scripted by Humayun Ahmed.
Farid Mama’s character was outspoken, where the writer intentionally penned the character as socially awkward. If that was not the case, it would have been very hard to execute some of his strong, thoughtful, humorous and satirical dialogues during a time when the country was under a military dictatorship.
Some of his famous dialogues were - “Kothar moddhe kotha bola ami ekdom pochondo kori na (I do not like to be interrupted while I am speaking),” “Beshi kotha bola amar pochondo na (I do not like talking too much),” “Public er mukh toh ar bondho kora jaabe na (You cannot keep people’s mouths shut).”
Among them, the most famous was “Tui razakar (You are a razakar),” which also coincidentally has become the popular slogan of the protesters who demand capital punishment to all 1971 war criminals.
Farid Mama was portrayed by veteran actor Aly Zaker, with his extraordinary acting skills which immortalised the awkward but rebellious character. In a past interview, Aly Zaker said: “While I was acting in a serious role on stage with pin drop silence all over the theatre, right then, someone from the crowd yelled ‘Mama! (uncle),’ and the whole crowd burst into laughter.”
Yunus from ‘Maatir Pinjirar Majhe Bondi Hoiya Re’Nandail’er Yunus or Yunus from Nandail from the TV drama “Maatir Pinjirar Majhe Bondi Hoiya Re,” is a mysterious village guy, who always wears a monkey cap and a wool scarf around his neck. If asked who he is, he replies, in a serious tone: “I am no one.”
Nandail’er Yunus is a contract killer, who travels to a village to kill a teacher for Tk20,000. The quiet and dark characteristics, played by Asaduzzaman Noor, resonated with the audience since the character battles with his inner demons for killing an innocent. Like Mirza and Baaker Bhai, Noor has also immortalised this character onto screen. Elachi from ‘Ayomoy’Elachi, wife of Mirza, played by Asaduzzaman Noor, is one of another iconic character penned by the legendary writer. A versatile character, Elachi is fluid like water, who can take any form depending on the circumstances, soft or vengeful when necessary.
Elachi removed Mirza’s first wife, played by Lucky Enam, from her home, to keep her position intact in the household. Although in pain, when her husband marries his third wife, Labanga, Elachi she kept a straight and arrogant face throughout in front of everyone.
For instance, while Kashem, played by Abul Hayat, falls ill, she sends a doctor to see him, also mentioning to kill him (Kashem) if necessary. These were some of Elachi’s features which were brilliantly executed by Sara Zaker.
People now continue to see Sara Zaker as Elachi, though the team behind “Ayomoy,” was sceptic casting her for the character.Titular character Khadok After a man eats a whole cow, he becomes a local attraction for people from nearby villages. The visitors call him “Khadok (eater),” which is also the title of this TV drama, written by Humayun Ahmed and portrayed by Professor Mozammel Haque.
Locals laugh at him for his eating habits yet do not care or foresee the consequences to his health, or how his family is conditioned with sorrow and suffering. This thought-provoking character is another creation by Humayun which still lives in its audience’s hearts.Anis from ‘Aaj Robibar’
Anis, played by Zahid Hasan, is a very bright student who wears very thick glasses. After receiving outstanding results in both his SSC and HSC exams, he lives with a family in Dhaka as a paying guest, since he could not find a seat at his university dorm.
The two girls of that family, Konka and Titli, love him very much but Anis does not understand their feelings, addressing them as Konka Bhaiya and Titli Bhaiya. He even listens to cassettes of lectures in his leisure time as if his whole world is surrounded by books and studies only. Anis, who is scared to death just by seeing a rubber snake, overpowers the love triangle between him and the two sisters.
At one part of the famous TV drama “Aaj Robibar,” he even overshadows the two central characters, played by Abul Hayat and Suborna Mustafa.
Zahid won the hearts of millions by playing the slightly mad genius who just loves studying.Rohima’r Maa from ‘Bohubrihi’ Rohima’r Maa or Rohima’s mother is the role model of every housemaid in Bangladesh. Stereotypes like why housemaids can’t wear glasses or why they can’t suggest on family decisions, since they are a part of the family, were put-forth through this character.
Humayun pointed out a society’s attention to unnecessary showing-off of capitalist formalities, for instance when the doctor greets the housemaid, Rohima’r Maa, as a family member in the TV drama.
The writer pointed out the petty social class conflicts with the confusion of the doctor, when he sees the housemaid wearing a pair of glasses and kept herself clean. The writer, through the portrayal of this character, points out a ton of social and economic class tensions of our society, which was immortalised by Mahmuda Khatun.