Actor Razzak no more
Legendary actor Abdur Razzak, popularly known as Nayak Raj Razzak, is no more.
The actor-filmmaker-producer breathed his last at United Hospital in Dhaka at 6:13pm on Monday.
Razzak was taken to the hospital after suffering a stroke around 5:20pm and soon the physicians declared him dead, according to United Hospital authorities.
He was 76.
The actor left behind wife Khairunnesa [Lokhhi] three sons and two daughters - Bapparaj [Rezaul Karim], Nasrin Pasha Shampa, Rowshan Hossain Bappi, Afreen Alam Moina, and, Khalid Hossain Samrat - and a host of fans to mourn his death.
Bangladesh government honoured Razzak with the Independence Day Award in 2015 for his outstanding contributions to cinema.
The veteran actor was born on 23 January in 1942 in Naktala, South Kolkata in India.
During his adolescence, he participated in theatre productions in Kolkata. While studying at a college in Kolkata, he made his first film appearance in a film, ‘Ratan Lal Bangalee’.
Hoping to become a film star, Razzak went to study film in Filmalaya in Mumbai, India in 1961.
Returning from Mumbai, he performed in two films in Kolkata, ‘Pankotilak’, and ‘Shilalipi’.
However, the Hindu-Muslim riot which broke out in 1964 forced Razzak, and his family to migrate to Dhaka.
After migrating to East Pakistan, Razzak found the path to stardom was not easy.
Initially, he acted in TV plays. He became a favourite of the viewers of Pakistani television, acting in the series ‘Ghoroa’.
However, he remained focused on his dream of becoming a film star.
Filmmaker Abdul Jabbar Khan helped Razzak join Iqbal Films Limited.
Razzak was an assistant to director Kamal Ahmed in the film ‘Ujala’.
Razzak’s major breakthrough in films was his performance in Salahuddin’s ‘Tero Nombor Feku Ostagar Lane’.
He acted in other films like ‘Neel Akasher Nichey’, ‘Maynamati’, ‘Moner Moto Bou’, ‘Swaralipi, Osru Diye Likha’, ‘Jibon Theke Neya’, and, ‘Obujh Mon’.
Razzak’s first big break in cinema came with his role in Zahir Raihan’s ‘Behula’ in 1966.
He acted in leading roles with many prominent actors, including Anwar Hossain, Bulbul Ahmed, Sohel Rana, Ilias Kanchan, Shuchanda, Shabana, Bobita, Kabori, Sujata, Shabnam and others. He appeared in a number of films opposite actress Shabana.
He went on to make more than 300 appearances in Bangla and Urdu films.
The five-time National Award-winning actor has also earned fame as a director. He also directed around sixteen films.
He won the hearts of millions through his powerful acting in the film ‘Rangbaj’. It was the first modern action film in Bangladesh.
In 1976, he emerged as a producer with the film ‘Akankha’.
Razzak was a UNFPA goodwill ambassador. He was also the founding president of Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association.
The actor left way wife Khairunnesa [Lokhhi] three sons and two daughters - Bapparaj [Rezaul Karim], Nasrin Pasha Shampa, Rowshan Hossain Bappi, Afreen Alam Moina, and, Khalid Hossain Samrat - to mourn his death.