A chapter of Bangla film comes to an end

Legendary Bangla film actor Razzak has passed away. He has won the hearts of millions through his powerful acting in the Bangla film. All of his fans were overwhelmed with his outstanding acting. He was naïve and frank in his behavior. He used his own style to act in the film. He was able to win the hearts of millions of fans as Nayak Raj.

Leaving behind a host of well wishers, admirers and near and dear ones on Monday evening, he made his way to a place from where no one can return. He was taken to United Hospital in Dhaka when he fell sick around 5:00pm. Later around 6:15pm, doctors at the hospital declared him dead.

In fact, a chapter of Bangla film came to an end through the death of Razzak. He has acted in the film for half a century from the mid-sixties. He won the hearts of film-loving people of the country through his powerful acting. Razzak was born on January 23 in 1942 at Nagtola in Taliganj of Kolkata. His parents fondly addressed him as Raju and sometimes Raja. He loved acting from his schooldays. He also worked on stage those days. He had a dream to be a footballer and also played well as a goal keeper. But his fate dragged him to the acting world.

In search of a better life, Razzak along with his family came to East Pakistan (Now Bangladesh) in 1964. Moving to Dhaka, he met Abdul Jabbar Khan, producer of the film “Mukh O Mukhosh”. He later got a job at the production house Iqbal Films with the help of Jabbar. 

He started his struggling life in Dhaka. He first stood in front of the camera for the film “Shilalipi”. He made TV dramas. As a struggling artist, Razzak had his fair share of rejections in the movie industry. He had done minor roles in some movies, which gave him screen time of barely a minute or so. But, he was very patient and had faith in himself. The young Razzak had sometimes worked for 20 hours a day, and even slept on the premises of the FDC.

Then, his life took a turn for the better when director Zahir Raihan casted him as the lead actor in his movie, Behula. And that film took Razzak to the height of glory whilst also making him a household name.

However, acting was his choice and within a short span of time, Razzak became the most popular face in the film industry. He was, after all, the darling of the film industry. He starred opposite heroines such as Bobita, Kobori, Shabana, Shujata, and Shuchonda, establishing fantastic screen chemistry with each of them.

In the middle of his career, he got the title of 'Nayak Raj' from Ahmed Zaman Chowdhury, editor of Chitrali. Later, he made his directorial debut with the film “Chanpa Dangar Bou”.

During his long-running acting career, spanning more than half a century, Razzak worked in more than 300 Bangla and Urdu films, winning over the hearts of millions over the years. His tremendous contributions to Bangla cinema earned him a place of guardian to the industry for decades.

Some of his notable works are “Abirbhab”, “Bashori”, “Etotuku Asha” “Nil Akhasher Niche”, “Je Agune Puri”, “Moinamothi”, “Dwip Neva Nai”, “Sharalipi”, “Ashikkhit”, “Chutir Ghanta” and more. The five-time National Award-winning actor has also earned fame as a director. He directed a total of 16 films while his latest project, “Ayna Kahini,” was released in 2016.

He won the hearts of millions through his powerful acting in the film “Rangbaj”. It was first modern action film in Bangladesh. In 1976, he emerged as producer with the film “Akankha”.

Razzak was elected goodwill ambassador of Unicef as the first Bangladeshi film artiste. He was also the founding president of Bangladesh Film Artistes' Association.

Razzak will ever be remembered for his outstanding contributions to the Bangla film industry. His contributions will be remembered from one generation to another for his role in spreading Bangali culture across the world through his movies. He was bright star in Bangla film and the film society will face an irreparable loss due to his death. We are deeply shocked at the death of the legendary actor.

risingbd/Dhaka/Aug 22, 2017/Ali Nowsher/Amirul