Tarique Masud: A Dream Weaver on Celluloid

Tarique Masud remains one of the brightest stars in the history of Bangladeshi cinema. Born on 6 December 1957 in Nurpur village of Bhanga in Faridpur, the visionary filmmaker portrayed Bangladeshi society, history and human life with rare depth and sensitivity through the language of film.

His first short film, Sonar Beri, made in 1985, offered an early glimpse of his profound engagement with people, time and society. In the same year, after directing the documentary Adam Surat, he found his true path, choosing cinema as a sincere medium to articulate truth.

His two landmark works based on the Liberation War of 1971, Muktir Gaan and Muktir Katha, stand not just as documentaries but as priceless testimonies of memory, pain and sacrifice. Films such as Narir Katha, In the Name of Safety, A Kind of Childhood and Voices of Children further exemplify his deeply humane and artistic storytelling.

Tarique Masud’s mastery of short filmmaking was equally distinctive. Works including Se, Norsundor, Shishu Katha, Nirapottar Name, Bipanno Bismoy, Nirodos Ghum, Subrata Sengupta O Somokalin Bongo Shomaj and Unison reflect his ability to create unique cinematic worlds.

His first feature film, Matir Moina, released in 2002, opened new international doors for Bangladeshi cinema. Screened at the Directors’ Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival, it received widespread acclaim and later became the first Bangladeshi film to be submitted for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Academy Awards.

His final film, Runway, released in 2010, was a sincere attempt to search for light within society’s darker corners.

For his outstanding contribution to cinema, Tarique Masud was posthumously awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2012. He died on 13 August 2011 in a tragic road accident in Manikganj while returning after scouting locations for the film Kagojer Phul. Acclaimed filmmaker and journalist Mishuk Munier also lost his life in the same accident.

Though Tarique Masud is no longer with us, his creations, dreams and cinematic vision continue to illuminate Bangladesh’s film landscape. His contribution to the art of storytelling in Bangladesh remains unforgettable.

Khaborwala/SS