An actor whose craft was honed on the theatre, Tariq Anam Khan always exuded an aura of classicism and resilience. He got his break as Othello in Dhaka’s proscenium under the directorship of late Abdullah Al Mamun, and that was only the beginning of a successful career in acting. Karoby Shihab, after a tête-à-tête with the thespian, gives an account of his early years, his rise to fame and his current engagements.
Bangladesh National Film award-winning actor, director, writer and producer Tariq Anam Khan was born in May 10, 1953, to Fakhrul Anam Khan and Jahanara Khanom in a village of Satkhira named Rasulpur.
The couple had eight children, including Tariq Anam Khan.
He belongs to the famous ‘Kha’ family in which education and culture was enshrined.
The actor grew up feeding on a peaceful environment where there were no religious conflict and gender discrimination.
Alongside education, the society was concerned about cultural practices like singing, dancing, recitation, drama and others. Religious practice did not conflict with culture. The society had a balance of both.
Later their family moved to the Satkhira town for the purpose of better education of the children.
He completed his SSC level from PN High School Satkhira.
The talented actor was a devoted artiste of stage play since the beginning of his school life. He acted in Tipu Sultan for the first time and received accolades for his acting skill.
Apart from the cultural practices, Tariq used to read books on various topics. He was even interested in world politics.
‘Drama represents life. We pick topics that have to do with the masses, as well as from the society and its politics. I don’t think culture can be practiced by divorcing all these factors,’ Tariq Anam Khan described drama through the web of relation.
He heightened his contemplation and came into touch with various aspects of life by reading novels by renowned authors like Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Akbar Hussain, Ashapurna Devi and others.
His father used to encourage his kids to gain knowledge. They grew up reading daily newspapers — both English and Bengali. Besides Fakhrul Anam Khan made his children go through creative writing.
The family was culturally inclined. They used to enjoy the dramas of Akashvani Radio, presently known as All India Radio. They grew this habit of post-event discussion, especially on the acting and characterisation.
Tariq Anam Khan was very close to his mother Jahanara Khanom. He enjoyed helping her with regular household chores.
‘I was very attached to my mother. I helped her in cooking and even washed clothes, mop the floor and do other household work. Not just me, my other siblings also were very helpful towards our mother,’ remembered Tariq Anam Khan.
He was a kid full of curiosity. He used to fix the primary electrical problems doing experiments when he was in school.
Though Tariq didn’t belong to a typical rich family, he had socially aware parents. They encouraged him grow up as an enlightened person.
When Tariq Anam Khan was a school student, he took part in of the processions against Ayub Khan, the former general and the second president of Pakistan during 1969 mass upsurge.
‘I think the more artistes interact with the masses, they improvise in their performance. Practical life and its experiences are the biggest teachers for everybody,’ said Tariq Anam Khan.
The thespian worked in support of the liberation war in 1971. He was in the Indian camps when the war started.
He was physically unwell during that time as he was suffering from a disease called scabies. Though he could not get the freedom fighter training, he wanted to be a part of the war. Later Tariq started working at arranging plays in different camps to encourage people to take part in the liberation war. He was a part of freedom fighter recruitment section as well. He was responsible for the health fitness examination of people who used to come forward to join as freedom fighters.
‘My family did not want me to go to the camps as they were afraid that I might not come back. I had to flee to be a part of the liberation war. Those were breath-taking moments,’ said Tariq, harking back to 1971.
Later, when Bangladesh was declared a free country, he came back to his family.
Tariq Anam Khan completed his Intermediate exams from Satkhira College and after that he moved to one of his sisters’ place in Dhaka. His sister’s husband was killed during the liberation war by the Pakistani military.
To earn a livelihood, Tariq Anam Khan joined the job sector with a very poor remuneration. Alongside, he was a part of theatre troupe as an artiste.
Through a lot of struggle, the talented artiste moved forward.
‘Those were very hard times. Artistes did not have much scope to work as there were only two media outlets, Bangladesh radio and Bangladesh Television. Taking acting as a profession was a huge risk at that time,’ said Tariq Anam Khan while describing his struggle.
He tried to join Bangladesh Television as their regular artiste. He auditioned several times for that but did not get a chance to work.
‘I have a funny memory about one particular drama I took part in. I don’t remember the name of the play but it was written by Askar Ibne Shaikh. Abdullah Al Mamun asked me to sit in a corner of the shooting set. I wore a fake beard and pretended to write something. That was it. Later, when I announced that I played a role in television, everybody made fun of me as when it was broadcasted since nobody could recognise me in the play and it was only a few-seconds sequence,’ laughed Tariq Anam Khan while sharing his experience of acting for the first time in a commercial teleplay.
He later joined the National School of Drama in Agartala of India. Actor Syed Hasan Imam inspired him to go there to avail higher education.
In 1976, Tariq Anam Khan moved to India and started his education on drama.
‘Joining the National School of Drama was one of the best decisions which changed my life. I am very grateful to Syed Hasan Imam for suggesting this. I have learnt a lot from the institute. I think if I didn’t join NSD, I could have ended up being a regular service holder,’ said Tariq Anam Khan, reflecting on his decision of joining the institute.
‘I worked hard during my three-year study period. I had taken part in all sections of drama including acting, stage designing, production management, costume designing, lighting and so on. I spent sleepless nights preparing my projects in my final year,’ he added.
He spent three months in Pune Film Institute, widely known as Film and Television Institute of India, as a part of his graduation process.
‘It was yet another amazing experience of my life. I got the chance to watch all the groundbreaking movies directed by renowned filmmakers like Ritwik Ghatak, Mrinal Sen, Satyajit Ray and others. Those films helped me to widen my perspective,’ said Tariq Anam Khan.
He did not have the support of his family for his decision to study drama. As he was the eldest among his brothers, he had huge responsibilities. His father was tensed about his career. But, Tariq Anam Khan took the risk of going against his family’s will and later proved his worth.
He communicated with Syed Hasan Imam after coming back to Bangladesh in 1979. He worked in different documentaries, radio and stage plays.
He acted in few plays directed by Nasiruddin Yousuff Bachchu and written by playwright Selim Al Din.
He started his journey in films by enacting a character named ‘Modhu’ in the film Lal Shobujer Pala directed by Syed Hasan Imam, shot in 1980 and released in 1981.
The actor became confident after working for the big screen. He never had to look back since then. Though the remuneration he used to get from acting was not high, he was happy as he was doing what he liked.
Later he acted in other films like Ghuddi, Shuruj Mia in the 80s.
Meanwhile, Tariq Anam Khan joined a theatre troupe named ‘Theatre’ and played a role in the stage play ‘Othello’ directed by Abdullah Al Mamun. That was a huge success and it was milestone of the time.
In 1985, Tariq Anam Khan started his marketing career by establishing an advertising agency titled Adshop and worked with many well-known brands of leading multinational and local clients.
Tariq Anam Khan later parted ways with Theatre due to some differences in opinion and formed another troupe named Natyakendra on October 11, 1990 along with Jhuna Chowdhury, Tauqir Ahmed, and Nahid Ferdous Meghna. The group’s first production Bichchu, an adaptation from Molière’s That Scoundrel Scapin, is considered as one of the iconic productions in the theatre history of Bangladesh. His directed plays have been performed in more than 500 shows both in at home and abroad.
During the rehearsal of Othello, Tariq Anam Khan got to know actress Nima Rahman and they fell in love. The couple decided to get married and finally tied the knot in March 31, 1985.
‘Nima and I had an excellent understanding. So we decided to be together as life partners. She belongs to a very rich family. Her family did not accept our relationship. As we were confident about our decision, we eloped and got married,’ shared Tariq Anam Khan with a smile on his face.
The couple has a son named Ariq Anam Khan who has completed his higher studies on drama from abroad and is now set to walk the arena his parents’ had introduced him to.
Tariq Anam Khan has proved to be a diverse actor who played different roles throughout the decades. Alongside teleplays, he secured a position in films as well.
He showed his talent in various films like Joyjatra, Made in Bangladesh, Aha, Ghetuputra Komola, JonakirAlo, Desha: The Leader, Runout, Shap Ludu and others.
Did he get to act in his desired role as yet?
‘An artiste is never satisfied. We always aspire for a better role. I have never compromised with the quality. Yes I have played many characters but I don’t think I found my desired role yet,’ said Anam.
Later he mentioned about the film titled Abar Boshonto directed by Ananyo Mamun. Actress Orchita Sporshia acted the female lead opposite him.
‘People of my age rarely get the opportunity to play such roles. As I always love to take challenges, I agreed to work in the film,’ said the actor.
Directors and artistes in recent days should concentrate on creating quality content suggested Tariq Anam Khan.
‘Nobody can sustain for a long time by depending on vulgarism. Drama and film should represent a story linked to the masses, by engaging in the lives of people that the mass can reciprocate to. Nowadays a bunch of people simply forget that there are things like morals and ethics. These people should be aware that one can occupy their position in people’s hearts by producing good work only,’ he said alluding to the indecent contents the media has been churning out in recent days.
‘There was a time when filmmakers used to use “cut pieces” in their movie to attract people. A group of people watched it too. But, it could not bring them longevity. I think if quality can be assured, movie buffs will be regular in cinemas again,’ he added.
Tariq Anam Khan is mostly popular for his negative characters in films. Why prompts him to pick negative roles?
‘In my childhood I used to stand in front of the mirror and think that I am not good looking like Uttam Kumar or other heroes. I presumed I’ll never be a hero and I guessed it right. I have a rude face and people think I am short tempered. Hence, filmmakers and directors prefer me for the negative roles,’ he replied with a laughter.
Tariq Anam Khan was awarded with the prestigious Bangladesh National Film award in 2014 for Best Actor in Negative Role for the film Desha: The leader, Critics Choice Awards in 2012 for the Best Actor category and 15th Meril Prothom Alo Awardsin 2013 for Ghetuputra Komola.
During the conversation with New Age Tariq Anam Khan mentioned his friendship with late actor Humayun Faridi.
‘We used to meet every single day. He was very close to my heart. I miss his presence. He was an asset for Bangladesh,’ said Tariq with a hint of grief in his voice.
Recently the actor is busy with the shooting of films like Make-up, Peyarar Shubash, and Gangchill. Besides, he is working for a drama serial titled Noibeddo.
At the end of the interview, Tariq Anam Khan shared his plan to write a book on his memories of the liberation war. Alongside, he also wants to return to direction and his theatre troupe.
Photos by Abdullah Apu