Zahir Raihan

Career of Zahir Raihan

Zahir Raihan was a Bangladeshi writer, novelist and filmmaker. He is perhaps most well-known for his documentary ‘Stop Genocide’ made during the Bangladesh Liberation War. He disappeared on December 30, 1971 trying to locate his brother, Shahidullah Kaiser the famous writer, who was captured and killed by the Pakistan army and local collaborators during the last days of the war.

Zahir Raihan was born on August 19, 1935 named Mohammad Zahirullah, in the village Majupur, now in Feni District, Bangladesh. In 1947, after the Partition of Bengal, he, along with his parents, returned to his village from Calcutta. He completed Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Bengali from Dhaka University. He received his post graduate degree in Bengali Literature. Along with literature works Raihan started working as a journalist when he joined "Juger Alo" in 1950.Later he also worked in newspapers namely "Khapchhara", "Jantrik", "Cinema". He also worked as the editor of "Probaho" in 1956. First collection of his short stories bannered "Suryagrahan" was published in 1955. He worked as an assistant in the film "Jago Huya Savera" with Akter Jong Kardar in 1957. This was his first foot print in film. He was also assisted Salahuddin in the film "Je Nodi Morupothay". The famous filmmaker Ehtesham also took him for his movie "A Desh Tomar Amar" where he wrote the title song. In 1960 he arrived as a director in his film "Kokhono Asheni". He completed his first cinemascope movie "Bahana" in 1965. In 1952 he was an active worker of the Language Movement and was present at the historical meeting of Amtala on February 21, 1952. The effect of language movement was so effect on him that he made his legendary film "Jibon Theke Neya" based on it. He also took part in the "Gano Obhyuthyan" in 1969. In 1971 he joined in the Liberation War of Bangladesh and created documentary films on this great event. During the war of liberation Raihan went to Kolkata where his film “Jibon Theke Neya” was shown. His film was highly acclaimed by Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, Tapan Sinha and Ritwik Ghatak. Though he had his financial problem going on that time, he gave all his money to the Freedom Fighters trust that he got from the show.

Personal Life of Zahir Raihan

He had been married twice, to Sumita Devi in 1961 and Shuchanda in 1968, both of whom were film actresses.

Books of Zahir Raihan

'Surya Grahan' (The eclipse), 1954
'Shesh Bikeler Meye' (The Girl from the Afternoon)
'Hajar Bachhar Dhare' (Through Thousand Years)
'Arek Falgun' (Another Falgun Day), based on the Language Movement of 1952
'Baraf Gala Nadi' (The River of Icy Waters)
'Ar Kata' Din (For How Long)
'Koyekti' Mrittu (A Few Deaths)
'Trishna' (Thirst)

Creations of Zahir Raihan

Zahir Raihan creates feature film and documentary film as director. He also introduced himself as assistant director, screenplay writer, story writer, song writer, manager and producer.

As Director

Feature Films of Zahir Raihan
‘Let There Be Light’ -1970-71 (uncompleted)
‘Jiban Theke Neya’ - 1970
‘Jalte Suruj Ki Nichey’ -1970
‘Anwara’ -1967
‘Behula’ -1966
‘Ekushey February’ – 1966 (announced)
‘Bahana’ - 1965
‘Sangam’ - 1964 (the first color film made in Pakistan)
‘Kancher Deyal’ - 1963
‘Sonar Kajal’ – 1962 (jointly directed with Kolim Shorafi)
‘Kakhono Asheni’ – 1961

Documentary Films of Zahir Raihan
‘Stop Genocide’ -1971 (Documentary on the genocide by Pakistani Army in the Bangladesh Liberation War, 1971)
‘A State Is Born’ - 1971

As Other Contributions

Feature Films
‘Jago Huya Savera’ – 1959 (assistant director)
‘A Desh Tomar Amar’ – 1959 (assistant director)
‘Nobarun’ – 1960 (assistant director)
‘Je Nodi Morupothay’ -1961 (assistant director & screenplay writer)
‘Agun Niye Khela’ – 1967 (superintendent)
‘Julekha’ – 1967 (producer)
‘Dui Bhai’ – 1968 (producer & Song writer)
‘Sonsar’ – 1968 (producer & Song writer)
‘Suoranee Duoranee’ – 1968 (producer, screenplay & Song writer)
‘Kunchboron Konya’ – 1968 (producer & Song writer)
‘Moner Moto Bou’ – 1969 (producer)
‘Shesh Porjonto’ – 1969 (producer & Song writer)
‘Beder Meye’ – 1969 (superintendent & screenplay writer)
‘Protishod’ – 1970 (producer)
‘Jog Beog’ – 1970 (producer)

Documentary Films
‘Liberation Fighters’ – 1971 (Producer)
‘Innocent Millions’ – 1971 (Producer)

Awards of Zahir Raihan

Adamjee Literature Award
Bangla Academy Award (1972)