Actor-politician Farooque diagnosed with TB

Prominent actor, politician, and Member of Parliament from Dhaka-17 constituency Akbar Hossain Pathan Farooque has been diagnosed with Tuberculosis (TB) at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore.

"The doctors here have found that it's TB (Tuberculosis). I've been taking treatment under four specialist doctors and they will observe me for four weeks," the National Award-winning actor shared his condition with media on Tuesday.

Assuring that his condition is improving, the eminent actor said: "I'm feeling much better than before and expecting to return as soon as possible after my recovery. Please keep me in prayers."

Farooque has been feeling unwell and was admitted to the United Hospital and Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. He was taken to Singapore on Sep 13 on a special flight after doctors in Bangladesh could not identify his disease. He was tested negative for Covid-19 as well.

He is accompanied by his wife Farhana Farooque in Singapore but both of them were required and asked to be quarantined for two weeks. "This has been the longest we haven't been together in years but relieved that now the quarantine period is over," the actor said.

With a career spanning over five decades in Dhallywood, Farooque has been a prominent face in the Bangladeshi mainstream film industry.

He also fought in the 1971 Liberation War.

For his outstanding contribution to Bangladeshi films, he has received many awards including the National Film Award in 1975 for the film 'Lathial'. He has received the award again in 2016, in the category of 'Lifetime Achievement'.

Abar Tora Manush Ho (1973), Sujon Sokhi (1975), Sareng Bou (1978), Golapi Ekhon Train a (1978), Shaheb (1979), Mia Bhai (1987), Padma Meghna Jamuna (1991), Koti Takar Kabin (2006) are some of the most iconic films.