The homesick actor who built 11 firms

Asif Noor is an actor. Three films starring him have already been released. Apart from the onstage title, Noor made a name for himself as a businessman.  

He undertook the family business a couple of years ago, and has been taking it forward with his talent and skill. Noor took charge of two business entities, and expanded them to 13 firms.  

Though he oversees the businesses as company top brass such as managing director or director, his father Deen Mohammad still acts as the chairman of Deen Mohammad Group.

Deen Mohammad is a famous ophthalmologist in Bangladesh – also a personal physician of the prime minister. As a worthy successor of the father, Asif Noor is running the healthcare business, while pursuing his acting career at the same time.

He recently shared his success story with The Business Standard.  

He began the story with his academic life. "I did my 'O' level from Bangladesh and then went to the UK. I completed 'A' level from Boston College, Lincolnshire. Then I completed a bachelor degree in mechanical engineering, and MBA in engineering management from Coventry University," Noor said.

He was the only Bangladeshi student who received the "Best Student Award" in the entire UK MBA programme. Noor got a permanent UK residency offer as he lived there for nine years and excelled in the MBA programme.    

Asif Noor. Photo: Noor-A-Alam/TBS

But permanent residency was not the matter he strived for. Noor had to keep his feelings within himself during the stay in the UK.

"Enough is enough," Asif Noor would tell himself, and return home to live with his family and friends.            

"I have always been homesick. During vacations, my classmates used to set out for world tours while I returned to home. Home was my favourite," He added.

Noor would think about his parents. "If I cannot spend time with them now, when will I? They are getting older. So I decided to return whatever the consequence would be."   

After returning home in 2010, Noor took charge of their two hospitals in the capital – Salauddin Specialised Hospital in old Dhaka and Deen Mohammad Eye Hospital.

Noor is the eldest and three of his brothers stay abroad. His return provided a bit of relief to his father.     

"I gradually tried to expand the family businesses. I am currently the managing director of Deen Mohammad Group."

The group works exclusively in the health sector. It has several hospitals, diagnostic centres, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment supply and trading centres.

Besides, Asif Noor is running a non-governmental organisation – Deen Mohammad Foundation which is named after his father. Apart from this, he founded a production house to make films and dramas.      

Noor was asked about the major barriers he faced in the country's healthcare sector.  

Asif Noor. Photo: Noor-A-Alam/TBS

He said the sector, like other businesses, has both good and bad people. "This is a service sector which could earn a bad reputation due to only a few unscrupulous people. This is the issue. But I can tell you that the healthcare sector in Bangladesh is better than many others."

On his 11-year experience, Asif Noor said they had only two institutions when he returned home. There was no group then.

"I started a few more businesses besides the health sector entities. Now there are 13 firms. I can say that the Deen Mohammad Group has been established by me."

On business barriers, he said people in Bangladesh severely lack commitment. "If we can fix this, we would be at the forefront of many businesses," he commented.  

The businessman turned actor also spoke about his performance before the camera.

"Actor Amin Khan has been my family friend for a long time," he said.

"I met him in England. He stayed at my place every time he had been to England. Though I never had any plan to get involved in acting, Amin Khan's interest and efforts brought me there."

"I acted in several plays through Amin bhai. Then I was cast in the telefilm 'Sunyo Hridoy' by actress Moushumi and actor Omar Sani. The telefilm was directed by Moushumi."

Noor says as the telefilm received a huge response on Eid-ul-Adha, it was decided to make a film on the story; and this is how his career in the film industry began.

He said three films starring him have been released so far, while he has acted in more than ten films.

"Movies are my passion and love. I came to the industry out of love, not to earn. I want to move forward after taking time, and understanding exactly what I am going to do," he concluded.