Kohinoor Akhter (known by her stage name Shuchanda) is a Bangladeshi film actress and director. She started her career in the mid 1960s and acted in about 100 movies. She won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Director for the film Hajar Bachhor Dhore (2005) and Bangladesh National Film Award for Lifetime Achievement (2019).
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Background
Kohinoor Akhter was born in Jashore in the then East Bengal, Dominion of Pakistan to Nizamuddin Atayub, a government employee, and Jahanara Begum, a homeopathy doctor. Her grandfather, Abdul Majid Biswas, was originated from Kashimpur Union in Jashore. Her two younger sisters, Farida Akhtar Babita and Gulshan Ara Akter Champa, went on to become actresses too. She has a brother, Iqbal Islam, a retired pilot.
Shuchanda studied in Momin Girls School (now Jashore Government Girls High School).
Career
Shuchanda debuted in acting with the film Kagojer Nouka (1966), directed by Subhash Dutta. She acted in films like "Behula" (1966), "Shuorani Duorani" (1968) and "Jibon Theke Neya" (1970) — directed by her future husband Zahir Raihan.
As an actor, Shuchanda won a Nigar Award from Pakistan in 1987 for her role in the film Hum Ek Hain.
In 1985, Shuchanda debuted as a film producer and produced Teen Kanya, Taka Ana Pai and Protishodh, from her production house "Suchanda Cholochitra".
Shuchanda debuted as a director with the film Bidesh Jatra in 1998.
Personal life
Shuchanda was married to Zahir Raihan until his disappearance in 1972, immediately after the liberation war of 1971. She has a daughter, Lisa Malik and a son, Arafat Raihan Opu. Lisa Malik is married to Abdullah M Zaber, Managing Director of Noman Group.
Awards
Standard Chartered-The Daily Star's "Celebrating Life Lifetime Achievement Award" (2017)
Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Director (2005)
Nigar Award for Best Actress (1987)
Bangladesh National Film Award for Lifetime Achievement (2019)
5th BIFA Lifetime Achievement (2026).[1]
