Tariq Anam Khan (born May 10, 1953) is a Bangladeshi actor, director, writer and producer in theatre, television, and film. He was awarded the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role for the film Desha: The Leader in 2014 and in 2019 for the film Abar Bosonto. He is the founding member and leader of the prominent Bangladeshi theatre group Natyakendra, where he holds the position of principal secretary.
Khan was a freedom fighter in the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971.[1]
Early life
Born in Satkhira, Khan is the eldest son of Fakhrul Anam Khan and Jahanara Khanam. He has three brothers and four sisters.[2]
Role as a freedom fighter in liberation war of Bangladesh
Khan was involved in progressive cultural and political activities in Satkhira since before the Liberation War. At the beginning of 1971, he became directly active with the resistance movement. From April 1971, along with many others, he set up a camp at Bhomra border in Satkhira. Then he went to India and engaged himself in the Liberation War organization. He was responsible for recruiting the freedom fighters, taking them to the camp for training from Bashirhat town in West Bengal. At the same time, a cultural group was formed with a few other artists. They used to perform motivational songs and plays in different camps of Sector 9.
Khan started his career as a theatre artist. He joined the Bangladeshi theatre group "Theatre" after his return from the National School of Drama. Later, he parted ways with Theatre due to some differences in opinion and founded "Natyakendra" on October 11, 1990 along with Jhuna Chowdhury, Tauqir Ahmed, and Nahid Ferdous Meghna. In 25 years, Natyakendra has staged 14 productions, 11 of which were directed by Khan. The group's first production Bichchu (adapted from Molière's That Scoundrel Scapin) is considered one of the iconic productions in Bangladesh theatre history. His directed plays have performed more than 500 shows in Bangladesh and abroad.[citation needed]
Advertising
Khan started his career in marketing by founding the advertising firm Adshop in 1985.[4]
He was credited as the production supervisor of the Bangladesh unit of the 2015 Hollywood film Avengers: Age of Ultron.[5]
He started working as a marketing adviser of Akij Group in 2015.[6]
Television
Khan has been acting in television plays for more than 30 years. He has acted in over 300 television plays telecast by all national and satellite television channels in Bangladesh. He gained popularity for his portrayal of a smuggler in the television series Tothapi (1994) directed by Zia Ansary, which was telecast on Bangladesh Television.
Actors Equity Bangladesh
On September 18, 2024, Actors Equity Bangladesh held an emergency meeting in Mohakhali, Dhaka, in response to concerns raised by artistes advocating for reforms. An interim reform committee, led by actor Tariq Anam Khan, was formed to oversee decisions for the next four months, while the current leadership retained administrative duties but refrained from making significant decisions. Despite calls for the resignation of key officials, none of the 21 committee members stepped down, and elections were expected within five months. Reform demands included formal recognition of acting as a profession, a new registration system, professional benefits, and improved work conditions for actors, such as shift systems, overtime pay, and a minimum wage.[7]
Personal life
Khan has been married to actress Nima Rahman since 1985. Together they have a son, Ariq Anam Khan.[8]
