University Of Dhaka

Sheikh Hasina, daughter of Bangladesh's first president, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is the current prime minister of Bangladesh. The Awami League leader was also named to Forbes’s list of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women and TIME 100, both in 2018, and is part of the Council of Women World Leaders.

Md. Abdul Hamid is a Bangladeshi politician and the current President of Bangladesh. Hamid, who was sworn in as the president in 2013, is the longest serving Bangladeshi president. From 2009 to 2013, he was the speaker of the National Parliament.

Bangladeshi novelist and filmmaker Humayun Ahmed boasted of a PhD in polymer chemistry and had even taught at the University of Dhaka. His mostly depicted the struggle of the middle-class through his works. His films such as Aguner Poroshmoni won him multiple National Film Awards. He died battling colon cancer.

Tahsan Rahman Khan is a Bangladeshi model, actor, singer, composer, and songwriter. He also serves as a professor at BRAC University in Dhaka. He is credited with composing Alo Alo, which has become one of the most famous songs in Bangladesh. A multi-talented personality, Tahsan Rahman Khan has also appeared as a judge at popular events like Miss Universe Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi actor Chanchal Chowdhury began his acting career with theater, joining the Aranyak Natyadal, though his parents wanted him to be an engineer. The 2-time Bangladesh National Film Award winner has been appreciated for his performances in films such as Moner Manush, Aynabaji, and Monpura.

Muhammed Zafar Iqbal is a Bangladeshi author, physicist, activist, and academic. Iqbal is credited with introducing and popularizing science fiction novels and stories in the Bengali language. Over the years, he has won several prestigious literary awards, such as the Khalekdad Chowdhury Literary Award, Sheltech Literary Award, Uro Child Literary Award, and Md. Mudabber-Husne ara literary Award.

Taslima Nasrin is a Bangladeshi-Swedish writer, feminist, physician, activist, and secular humanist. An internationally recognized author, Nasrin is renowned for expressing feminist views and her criticisms of religions. Taslima Nasrin is a recipient of many prestigious awards such as the Sakharov Prize, Freethought Heroine Award, and Erwin Fischer Award.

Bangladeshi actor Siam Ahmed began his career as an Airtel Bangladesh model. He later made his acting debut with the Bangladeshi telefilm Bhalobasha 101 and then soared to fame with films such as Bishwoshundori, winning the Bangladesh National Film Award. Educated in England, he is a qualified lawyer, too.

Award-winning Bangladeshi poet Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah began writing poems early in his life, publishing his first two collections long before he acquired his master’s degree from the University of Dhaka. Remembered for his revolutionary as well as romantic poems, he died of depression and substance abuse, leaving a suicide poem, Bhalo Achi Bhalo Theko, for his ex-wife Taslima Nasrin.

Bangladeshi actor Rafiath Rashid Mithila was an academically brilliant student and also a talented dancer in her younger days. She had once exhibited her oil paintings and has penned children’s books, too. She has been associated with BRAC and is married to Indian filmmaker Srijit Mukherji.

Ekushey Padak-winning Bangladeshi actor Suborna Mustafa is best known for her roles in films such as Notun Bou and Durotto. She is also known for her hit series Kothao Keu Nei, and has been a cricket commentator and a Censor Board member. She is now a Bangladesh Awami League MP.

Hussain Muhammad Ershad was a Bangladeshi politician and Army Chief. From 1983 to 1990, he served as the president of Bangladesh. After seizing power as head of the army in 1982, Ershad declared himself president the following year. His regime is widely regarded as an era of military dictatorship.

Zahir Raihan was a noted Bangladeshi short story writer, novelist and filmmaker. Director of Jeebon Theke Neya (1970) and Stop Genocide (1971) he also participated in the 1969 mass uprising and was possibly killed in 1972 by the opponent of Liberation War.

The daughter of a singer mother, Sabina Yasmin started her music career as a child artiste, appearing in her first stage performance at age 7. She is a 14-time Bangladesh National Film Award-winning playback singer has also won an Ekushey Padak. She was previously married to Indian singer Kabir Sumon.

Ilias Kanchan is a Bangladeshi activist and actor. He is best known for winning the Bangladesh National Film Award under the Best Actor category for his performance in the 1986 movie Parineeta. A well-known road safety activist, Kanchan was honored by the Government of Bangladesh with the prestigious Ekushey Padak in 2018.

Motiur Rahman Nizami was a Bangladeshi politician, writer, and Islamic scholar. He served as the Minister of Agriculture from 2001 to 2003 before serving as the Minister of Industries from 2003 to 2006. Motiur Rahman Nizami was convicted and sentenced to death for masterminding the Demra massacre, which resulted in the death of more than 800 unarmed Hindu civilians.

Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury created history when she became the first woman Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad, or the Bangladesh Parliament. A qualified lawyer, she later obtained a PhD in human rights, too. The Bangladesh Awami League member has also served as an advocate of the Bangladesh Supreme Court.

Misha Sawdagor is a Bangladeshi actor best known for his portrayal of negative roles. Sawdagor, who has performed in over 700 movies, is a recipient of three Bangladesh National Film Awards. He won the award for his performance in the movies, Boss Number One, Olpo Olpo Premer Golpo, and Bir.

Ahmed Sofa was a Bangladeshi writer, novelist, poet, public intellectual, philosopher, and thinker. Counted among the most prominent and greatest Bengali Muslim writers of all time, Sofa and his works continue to influence and inspire many writers, painters, filmmakers, intellectuals, and artists. Ahmed Sofa’s works have influenced popular personalities like Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, Humayun Ahmed, Farhad Mazhar, and Tareque Masud.

Shamsur Rahman was a Bangladeshi poet, journalist, and columnist. Widely regarded as an important figure in Bengali literature, Rahman was considered Bangladesh's unofficial poet laureate. A prolific writer, he produced over 60 books of poetry collection. Shamsur Rahman was honored with several prestigious awards like the Bangla Academy Literary Award, Adamjee Award, Swadhinata Dibosh Award, Ekushey Padak, and Ananda Puroshker.      

Salimullah Khan is a Bangladeshi writer best known for exploring politics and culture using Lacanian and Marxist theories. His exploration of his country's culture and politics has a huge following among young Bangladeshi writers and thinkers. Salimullah Khan is credited with translating the works of James Rennell, Plato, and Charles Baudelaire into Bengali. He won the Ranajit Award in 2020.

Asaduzzaman Noor is a Bangladeshi politician, actor, and activist. He is best known for his service as the Minister of Cultural Affairs from 13 January 2014 to 7 January 2019. As an actor, Asaduzzaman Noor is renowned for his work in theatre, television, and film productions. In 2018, he was awarded the Independence Day Award by the Government of Bangladesh.

Shabnom Bubly is a Bangladeshi news anchor and film actress. After starting her career as a TV news presenter, Bubly went on to establish herself as an actress by collaborating with Shakib Khan on multiple occasions. Her portrayal of Bubly in the romantic action drama film Bossgiri earned her a Meril Prothom Alo Award and Channel i Digital Media Award.

Munier Choudhury was a Bangladeshi playwright, educationist, political dissident, and literary critic. He spent most of his time fighting against Pakistan's aspiration of eradicating the Bengali language in East Pakistan. He even renounced the Sitara-e-Imtiaz given by the Pakistani government and took part in the non-co-operation movement. In 1980, Munier Choudhury was posthumously honored with the prestigious Independence Day Award.

Humayun Azad was a Bangladeshi poet, short-story writer, novelist, columnist, critic, and linguist. In 1986, he was honored with the Bangla Academy Literary Award for his immense contributions to Bengali linguistics. Apart from writing over 60 titles, he also served as a professor at The University of Dhaka. In 2012, Humayun Azad was honored posthumously with the prestigious Ekushey Padak.

Ivy Rahman was a Bangladeshi politician and an important member of the popular political party, Bangladesh Awami League. Ivy Rahman served as the party's Women's Affairs secretary and held several other positions before her murder during the 2004 Dhaka grenade attack.

Matia Chowdhury is a Bangladeshi politician best known for her service as the Minister of Agriculture from 6 January 2009 to 7 January 2019. She is currently one of the most important and senior leaders of the Bangladesh Awami League.

Popular Bangladeshi TV and theater personality Sara Zaker has both acted in and directed several plays. She also pens a column for the Bangladeshi newspaper Prothom Alo. She has also been working successfully in the field of market research and is associated with several charitable initiatives.

Kabir Chowdhury, who was named as the National Professor of Bangladesh, was a renowned essayist and translator of his time. He also wrote extensively on topics such as painting and sculpture and won awards such as the Ekushey Padak. Some of his most popular translations include The Metamorphosis and Beowulf.

Farhad Mazhar is a Bangladeshi poet, writer, columnist, philosopher, human and social rights activist, pharmacist, and environmentalist. He is credited with co-founding a non-governmental organization called UBINIG, which aims at promoting social rights and responsibilities. Farhad Mazhar is currently serving as the managing director of the organization. 

Golam Sarwar was a Bangladeshi writer and journalist. He is best remembered as the founding editor of Daily Jugantor and Samakal. Golam Sarwar's contributions to Bengali literature earned him the prestigious Ekushey Padak in 2014.    

Panna Kaiser is a Bangladeshi politician who takes an active part in various cultural events and social activities. She has also been contributing immensely to a child support organization called Khelaghar. In 2021, Panna Kaiser was honored with the prestigious Bangla Academy Literary Award under the research on liberation war category.

Makbul Hossain was a Bangladeshi businessman and politician. From 14 July 1996 to 13 July 2001, he served as a Member of Parliament for Dhaka-9 constituency. He was an important member of Bangladesh Awami League and recieved several awards throughout his career. He was a recipient of Sher E Bangla National Gold Medal Award and Shahid Bodiujzaman Gold Medal Award.