Zahir Raihan, a Bangladeshi novelist, writer and filmmaker was born on 19 August 1935, as Mohammad Zahirullah, in the village Majupur, now in Feni District, Bangladesh.

1. Zahir Raihan: A Star of Bangla Film &
Literature
Presented by
Tasmon Islam

2. Zahir Raihan
 Born: Abu Abdar Mohammad Zahirullah
19 August 1935, Mojupur, Feni
 Nationality: Bangladeshi
 Education: BA (Bengali), University of Dhaka
 Occupation: Filmmaker, Novelist, Writer
 Spouse(s): Sumita Devi (m. 1961–1968)
Shuchonda (m. 1968–1971)
 Children: Bipul Raihan, Anol Raihan, Tapu
Raihan, Arafat Raihan
 Relatives: Shahidullah Kaiser (brother)
 Disappeared: 30 January 1972 (aged 36)

3. Early Life & Education
 Zahir Raihan received his primary education at Kolkata
Mitra Institute and Kolkata Alia Madrasah.
 In 1949, he published one of his poem “Oder Janiye
Dao”.
 He passed his School certificate exam from Amirabad
school of Feni and completed ISC in 1953.
 He then got admission in Dhaka Medical College but he
dropped out and enrolled in Dhaka University. He
studied in Bangla.
 He participated in the 1952 Bangla Language
Movement.

4. Professional Career
 Zahir Raihan started his career as a
journalist in “Juger Alo,” “Jantrik,” and
“Cinema” newspapers.
 He edited and published a monthly
magazine called “Probaho.”
 He was the editor of the weekly “Express”
newspaper.
 His two sons became drama directors
and another two became actor and
journalist.

5. Zahir Raihan Novels
 Surjo Grohon was his first novel followed
by Hajar Bochor Dhore.
 Other major works Borof Gola Nodi, Sesh
Bikeler Meye, Ar Koto Din, Ar Ek Falgun,
Ekushey February (21 February).
 He received Adamjee prize for his
novel Hajar Bochor Dhore in 1964
and got Bangla Academy award.
 He also received the prestigious
Liberation Award (Posthumous) for his
work .

6. Popular Short Stories
 Ekusher Golpo, Sonar Horin, Somoyer Proyojone,
Ekti Jiggasa, Harano Boloy, Badh, Surjagrohon,
Noya Potton, Mohamrittu, Bhangachora, Oporadh,
Shikriti, Oti Porichito, Ichha Onichha, Jonmantor,
Poster, Ichhar Agune Jolchhi, Kotogulo Kukurer
Artonad, Koekti Shonglap, Demag, Massacre.

7. Zahir Raihan Movies
 Zahir Raihan made directorial debut in 1960
with Kokhono Asheni.
 His first cinemascope film “Bahana” was released
in 1965.
 “Jibon Theke Neya” is a heart touching movie of
him.
 Let there be Light was his last and incomplete film
as a director.
 He was directing another movie titled Stop
Genocide based on the our liberation war.

9. Zahir Raihan Movies
 Movies and Documentaries Directed: Kokhono
Asheni (1961), Sonar Kajol (1962), Kancher Deyal
(1963), Sangam (1964), Bahana (1965), Behula
(1966), Anowara (1966), Jibon Theke Neya
(1970).
 Documentary films: Stop Genocide (On the
genocide by Pakistani Army in the Bangladesh
Liberation War 1971), A State is Born, Liberation
Fighters, Innocent Millions.
 Movies Produced: Bairagi (1967), Dui Bhai
(1968), Shuorani Duorani (1968)

10. Notable Awards
 Adamjee Literature Award
 Bangla Academy Literary Award (1972)
 Ekushey Padak (1977)
 Independence Day Award (1992)