Abdur Razzak, the Nayak Raj of Bangla films, dies

Abdur Razzak, fondly known as Nayak Raj for his legendary film roles, has died at the age of 75.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 21 August 2017, 12:38 PM
Updated : 22 August 2017, 09:37 AM

The actor had been suffering from pneumonia and old-age complications. Razzak breathed his last at Dhaka’s United Hospital on Monday evening, Mushfiqur Rahman Gulzar, president of Bangladesh Film Directors Association, told bdnews24.com.

 

Razzak’s son Samrat spoke to reporters who were crowding the entrance of the hospital in Gulshan. Several movie stars including Alamgir, Anjana Rahman, Aruna Biswas, Shakib Khan, Mousumi and Ferdous were also seen entering the hospital.

“Please pray for my father’s soul. This is what we expect of the nation,” Samrat said.

His another son Bapparaj, also an actor, said at their home in Gulshan-2 later in the night that the body of Razzak will be taken to the Central Shaheed Minar at 12pm on Tuesday  for the people to pay their respect. 

He will be buried at the Banani Graveyard in the afternoon after funeral prayers at Gulshan's Azad Mosque, Bapparaj said. 

"It will take until Thursday or Friday for my brother Bappi to arrive (from Canada). So we are not waiting," he said.

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu went to Razzak's house 'Lokkhi Kunja' in Gulshan later at night.

"A national personality," he termed the actor. "He took Bangla film to a higher ground."

He said the ministry would publish his works after compilation.  "We'll not let any works of the Nayak Raj get lost."  

 

President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have mourned the actor. Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Finance Minister AMA Muhith, and Inu have issued condolence messages.  

Bangladesh Film Directors' Association announced a three-day halt to shooting as a mark of respect for the matinee idol.

Razzak left behind wife Khairunnesa Lokkhi, the three sons and two daughters Shampa and Moyna.

The matinee idol of yesteryear had started his career in television before making it to the silver screen in the 1960s.

He received Bangladesh’s highest civilian honour, Independence Award, in 2015 for his role in the cultural arena.

Razzak was brought to the hospital at 5:20pm after he suffered a cardiac arrest, said Ujjwal, a customer care representative at United Hospital.

“We couldn’t get a pulse. The duty doctor tried to revive him. He was declared dead at 6:15pm.”

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.

Also read

Long-time co-star Kabori in deep shock


Hamid, Hasina lead tributes