Biography

Sultana Zaman was born on 2 September, 1935 in Natore, East Bengal, British India (now in Bangladesh). Her father's name was Syed Abdur Razzaq, Zaminder of The Ruxini State of Natore and mother's name was Rahima Khatun. Her birth name was Syeda Hosne Ara Sharifa Begum. She married Kazi Mesbahuzzaman (popularly known as Q.M. Zaman), first cinematographer of Film Development Corporation of the then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) on 15 March, 1956. She's had two children with him, a girl named Marina Zaman in 1960 and a boy named Sharfuzzaman Bapi.

She started her career in the Bengali film industry in Mohiuddin Ahmad's Matir Pahar (1959). She went on to star on many notable films such as Sonar Kajol (1962), Jowar Elo (1962), Onek Diner Chena (1964), Janajani (1965), Abar Bonobashe Rupban (1966), Notun Digonto (1968), Bhanumoti (1969), Moner Moto Bou (1969), Santan (1970) etc. She took the name 'Sultana Zaman' as her screen name in the film Janajani (1965). Her notable Urdu film's are Chanda (1962), Mala (1965), Saat Rang (1965), Ujala (1966) etc. She has produced two films, Bhanumoti (1969) and Chhadmabeshi (1970).

After a hiatus of six years, she returned to the screen in the film Nayanmoni (1976), where she acted in the role of mother of noted actor Farooque as Kulsum. She then starred in similar roles in Jadur Bashi (1977), Nishan (1977), Agnishikha (1978) etc. She had migraine problem which prevented her from concentrating in acting. In a career spanning over three decades, she acted in over 50 feature films in both Bengali and Urdu language in Bangladesh and pre-independece war West Pakistan. Her last appearance was in the film Rajkumari Chandraban (1979) after which she bid adieu to the film industry.

She received Pakistan's prestigious Nigar award twice for her role in Chanda (1962) and Mala (1965). She's also received Chitrakash Award for her first film Matir Pahar (1959), the first film magazine award in Bangladesh. She was also honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award of National Film Award, Bangladesh in 2009 and National Award by the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad in 2011.

Sultana Zaman passed away on 20 May, 2012 in her sister Shamima Masud's Dhaka Cantonment residence.
- IMDb mini biography by: Bangladesh Film Archive