ArtistDirect News
Diganto Samad Pursues Music Career to Honor Late Actor Tele Samad
When Bangladesh’s beloved comic actor Tele Samad’s son chose the mic over the camera, he carried more than a family name—he carried a legacy. Tele Samad, who graced the silver screen in more than 600 films before his death in 2019, was celebrated for his quick wit and versatile performances. His son, Diganto Samad, has decided to honor that legacy by carving his own path in music rather than stepping into the director’s chair.
Diganto began formal music training at the age of six, studying classical repertoire and Nazrul Sangeet under the guidance of family musicians. The early discipline he earned in these traditional forms laid the groundwork for a career that would later cross genre boundaries. When the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) was facing a difficult phase, Diganto recalled that the environment felt discouraging. In that context, his father, a multi‑talented artist who also painted and sang, urged him to pursue music. "Because of the overall situation of the film industry at that time, my father preferred that I pursue music," he said.
Diganto’s musical journey evolved from the rigor of classical and Nazrul lessons to modern songs, band work, and the underground scene. He describes his style as unconfined by genre, favoring rock and pop‑rock while remaining open to any form that carries a strong melody. "Music has no boundaries," he said. "Personally, my favourites are rock and pop‑rock. I used to listen to a lot of pop, and Michael Jackson was a huge favourite of mine. I actually started listening to English tracks through his songs." The singer’s focus on melody guided his recent forays into playback singing. In 2023, he contributed backing vocals to three tracks on the film Rockstar—"Amake Uriye Dao," "Bhalobasha Dish, Bhalobasha Nish," and "Amake Niye Jao"—after a message he sent to music director Jahid Nirob was received. Nirob, who had seen Diganto’s covers and reels, invited him to the studio. A second opportunity arose when Diganto visited Adit Rahman’s Fatman Headquarters. He was asked to record a few lines for the film Malik without knowing the context, only to later discover that he had sung the title track. These experiences illustrate how Diganto views career openings as spontaneous rather than scripted. "I spent many years in the underground music scene, and now I want to work in the mainstream. This was a big opportunity for me," he said.
While the legacy of Tele Samad brings both affection and comparison, Diganto embraces the association. "I don’t want my father’s name to die out," he said. He also believes his father’s contributions deserve greater national recognition, even after his passing. Diganto’s career is still developing, but his direction is clear. He is not trying to escape his father’s shadow, nor is he trying to live entirely inside it. Instead, he is building a career where both truths can coexist. He added that if he ever receives an award, he will dedicate it to his father. The singer’s work spans multiple platforms, including a SoundCloud page where he shares original tracks and covers. His journey from a classical foundation to contemporary playback singing reflects a broader trend in Bangladesh’s music scene, where artists blend traditional training with modern genres. In summary, Diganto Samad’s choice to pursue music honors his father’s artistic spirit while carving his own path in the Bangladeshi entertainment industry. His recent playback work demonstrates a growing presence in mainstream cinema, and his commitment to melody and legacy positions him as a notable figure in the country’s evolving music landscape.
Diganto began formal music training at the age of six, studying classical repertoire and Nazrul Sangeet under the guidance of family musicians. The early discipline he earned in these traditional forms laid the groundwork for a career that would later cross genre boundaries. When the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) was facing a difficult phase, Diganto recalled that the environment felt discouraging. In that context, his father, a multi‑talented artist who also painted and sang, urged him to pursue music. "Because of the overall situation of the film industry at that time, my father preferred that I pursue music," he said.
Diganto’s musical journey evolved from the rigor of classical and Nazrul lessons to modern songs, band work, and the underground scene. He describes his style as unconfined by genre, favoring rock and pop‑rock while remaining open to any form that carries a strong melody. "Music has no boundaries," he said. "Personally, my favourites are rock and pop‑rock. I used to listen to a lot of pop, and Michael Jackson was a huge favourite of mine. I actually started listening to English tracks through his songs." The singer’s focus on melody guided his recent forays into playback singing. In 2023, he contributed backing vocals to three tracks on the film Rockstar—"Amake Uriye Dao," "Bhalobasha Dish, Bhalobasha Nish," and "Amake Niye Jao"—after a message he sent to music director Jahid Nirob was received. Nirob, who had seen Diganto’s covers and reels, invited him to the studio. A second opportunity arose when Diganto visited Adit Rahman’s Fatman Headquarters. He was asked to record a few lines for the film Malik without knowing the context, only to later discover that he had sung the title track. These experiences illustrate how Diganto views career openings as spontaneous rather than scripted. "I spent many years in the underground music scene, and now I want to work in the mainstream. This was a big opportunity for me," he said.
While the legacy of Tele Samad brings both affection and comparison, Diganto embraces the association. "I don’t want my father’s name to die out," he said. He also believes his father’s contributions deserve greater national recognition, even after his passing. Diganto’s career is still developing, but his direction is clear. He is not trying to escape his father’s shadow, nor is he trying to live entirely inside it. Instead, he is building a career where both truths can coexist. He added that if he ever receives an award, he will dedicate it to his father. The singer’s work spans multiple platforms, including a SoundCloud page where he shares original tracks and covers. His journey from a classical foundation to contemporary playback singing reflects a broader trend in Bangladesh’s music scene, where artists blend traditional training with modern genres. In summary, Diganto Samad’s choice to pursue music honors his father’s artistic spirit while carving his own path in the Bangladeshi entertainment industry. His recent playback work demonstrates a growing presence in mainstream cinema, and his commitment to melody and legacy positions him as a notable figure in the country’s evolving music landscape.