Syed Ahsan Ali Sydney (3 October 1938 — 14 February 2002)[1] is a Bangladeshi film actor. Syed Ahsan Ali was a well-known handsome face in various movies and TV dramas of the 70s and 80s.[2] [3] He was also known by the nickname Sidney.[4] Notable films he acted in are — Paye Chalar Path (1973), Megh Bijli Badal (1983) and Danpite Chhele (1980). He, being a legendary actor of Bengali drama and film Syed Ahsan Ali was the first National Award winning actor on Bangladesh Television (BTV).[5]
Syed Ahsan Ali, married Suraiya Ahsan, an educationist. Sidney's son Jeetu Ahsan has become an actor like his father.[6] [7] [8]
Sidney's father, Syed Mohammad Ali, was a zamindar and his father-in-law, Maulvi Emdad Ali, was a district magistrate in British India.[9]
Sidney was a 1955 batch of St. Gregory's School.[10]
In his college life Bulbul Ahmed, Nazmul Huda Bachchu and other friends formed a theater group.[11]
He made his film debut opposite actress Kabori in Chorabali, where his performance was praised. Sidney was opposite to actress Jayashree Kabir in the film Suryakanya. His performance in the film's iconic song 'Chena Chena Lage Tabu Achena', which is still on everyone's lips, his acting in the film was also memorable. His notable films are — Dahan, Surjo Othar Age, Mayamrigo, Rupali Soikote, Swami, Ayna, Phulshajja etc.
Notable plays he acted in are — Saat Asmaner Siri, Jonaki Jwale, Ekti Setur Galpo, Hazar Bochor Pore, Aami Tumi Se, Saatjan Jatri etc.
| 1982 | Ekti Shetur Golpo | Mostafizur Rahman | Jeetu Ahsan | BTV | drama[12] | |
| 1984 | Pearl | Mostafizur Rahman | Jeetu Ahsan | BTV | drama | |
| Shesh Manusher Thikana | Syed Siddique Hossain | Jeetu Ahsan | BTV | drama | ||
| 1985 | Shat Jon Jatri | Mostafizur Rahman | Jeetu Ahsan | BTV | drama | |
| 1990 | Jonaki Jole | Zia Ansari | Jeetu Ahsan | BTV | drama serial | |
| 1993 | Upotkuto Chai | Syed Siddique Hossain | Apu Sarkar, Jeetu Ahsan | BTV | drama | |
| 1995 | Ek Nokkhotrer Niche | Syed Siddique Hossain | Rubina Parvin Runa, Jeetu Ahsan | BTV | drama | |
| 1996 | Khela Bittngar Khela | Syed Ahsan Ali | Tonima Hamid, Jeetu Ahsan | BTV | drama |
Syed Ahsan Ali died in Dhaka on February 14, 2002 after a long illness. His wife Suraiya Ahsan died on July 12, 2019 at the age of 80 at Queens Hospital in New York.[13]