Razzak: Demise of a superstar

LEGENDARY actor Abdur Razzak, who in Bangladesh popularly known as ‘Nayak Raj Razzak’, breathed his last at United Hospital on last Monday. Entire film industry of our country is at grief on his death and decided to call off three days of film shooting to honour his decease. He suddenly had a heart attack on Monday afternoon and was taken to the United Hospital at 5:20 pm. There he breathed his last at 6:13 pm. For last couple of years Razzak was under the surveillance of the Hospital’s Chief Cardiologist Dr Momenuzzaman. Apart from heart disease, he was suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. He left his wife Khairun Nesa Laxmi, three sons Bapparaj, Bappi, Samrat and a daughter Moyna. He had another daughter Shampa who died already.

Razzak was born in Naktala, South Kolkata. His parents Akbar Hossain and Nisarunnesa died at early ages. During his adolescence, he participated in theatre productions in Kolkata. While studying at a college in Kolkata, he made his first film appearance in “Ratan Lal Bangali”. 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 movies 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 Dhaka Razzak found the path to stardom was not easy. Initially, he acted in TV plays. He became a favourite of the viewers of the then Pakistani Television, acting in the series ‘Ghoroa’.

However, he remained focused on his dream of becoming a ‘film star’. A pioneering filmmaker in Bangladesh, Abdul Jabbar Khan, helped Razzak to join Iqbal Films Limited. Razzak was the Assistant to the Director Kamal Ahmed in the movie ‘Ujala’.

Razzak’s major breakthrough in movies was his performance in Salahuddin’s ‘Tero Nombor Feku Ostagar Lane’. He acted in other movies like Neel Akasher Nichey, Moynamoti, 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 (1966). He has 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 Bengali and Urdu movies. He also directed around sixteen movies. Razzak was also a UNFPA goodwill ambassador.

We as many other people of Bangladesh pray for his departed soul. May Allah grant him Jannat.