Fans bid farewell to legendary actor 'Nayak Raj' Razzak

Fans paid their last respects to legendary actor Abdur Razzak, fondly known as Nayak Raj or the King of Heroes, at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 22 August 2017, 09:13 AM
Updated : 22 August 2017, 11:29 AM

Thousands thronged to the Dhaka University campus on Tuesday braving the weathers and the traffic in Dhaka to bid farewell to screen icon of Dhallywood.

Not only fans, but long-time coworkers, ministers, bureaucrats and politicians to paid their tributes highlighting his role in Bangladesh's film industry and the cultural arena. 

"His contribution to the industry was immense," said ruling Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader.

With more than 500 films as notches on his belt, he reigned supreme in Bangladesh’s entertainment industry for five decades. 

The road transport minister described him as the Dhaka film industry's 'Uttam Kumar', referring to the romantic hero of the Kolkata movie industry.

Razzak, who had been suffering from pneumonia and old-age complications, breathed his last on Monday at a Dhaka hospital.

The death of iconic actor left the nation in shock and grief.

Long time co-workers are in a sombre mood while the president and prime minister have led tributes highlighting his role in the film industry and the cultural arena.

On Tuesday morning, Razzak was taken to Bangladesh Film Development Corporation premises, where producers, filmmakers, actors and others in the industry took part in a funeral prayer.

The mortal remains were then taken to the Central Shaheed Minar, where people from all walks of lives paid their homage.

Cabinet members Obaidul Quader and Tofail Ahmed paid respects on behalf of the ruling Awami League, followed by Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor.

Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu placed a floral wreath on behalf of his party JaSaD.

Several political, social and cultural organisations as well as the public paid their homage.

A second funeral prayer was held at the Azad Mosque in Gulshan in the afternoon.

The filmstar will be buried at the Banani graveyard on Wednesday.

Razzak was born on Jan 23 of 1942 in Kolkata of undivided India. He had lost his parents at a young age, and studied in Taliganj’s Khanpur High School.

After struggling to make a break in Kolkata, he decided to work for the growing film industry in the erstwhile East Pakistan instead. Riots between Hindus and Muslims in Kolkata in 1964 also worked against him.

That year, he travelled to Dhaka where his struggle continued. But after his stint in television, he eventually sealed his fate on the big screen.

Razzak's first big break came with his role in Zahir Raihan's Behula in 1966.

In his career of five decades as an artist, Razzak starred in more than 500 films and directed 16.

Neel Akasher Niche, Swaralipi, Jibon Theke Neya, Etotuku Asha, Rongbaz, Baadi Theke Begum, Ananta Prem, Alor Michhil, Obujh Mon, Anarkali, Chhutir Ghanta, Oshikkhito and Dui Poishar Alta are some of the films that helped him emerge as the iconic hero of his industry.

He has shared the screen with many other 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 with actress Shabana.

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