Razzak, Abdur
Razzak, Abdur (1942-2017) a famous Bangladeshi film actor, director, producer, and cultural personality. He is better known to and respected by all as Nayak Raj Razzak. He was actively associated with the film industry for almost six decades. He acted in over four hundred Bengali and Urdu films during this time. He was regarded as one of the top actors throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and even the early 1980s in the Bangladeshi film industry.
Razzak was born into a noble family on 23 January 1942 in Taliganj, South Kolkata, West Bengal. His father's name is Akbar Hossain, and his mother's is Nisarunnesa. Razzak spent his childhood and adolescence in Kolkata. He studied at Khanpur High School near Bansdroni.
When Razzak was in the seventh grade at a school in Kolkata, he made his acting debut as a rural teen in the play 'Bidrohi' written about children and adolescents. After that, he gradually got opportunities to participate in small-screen dramas because of his talent, and within a short time, he became well-known as a theater actor in Kolkata. In 1958, Razzak became associated with Bengali cinema in Kolkata by playing a minor role in the movie 'Ratan Lal Bangali'. After that, he acted in two more films, 'Panka Tilak' and 'Shilalipi'. He moved to Bombay where he received training at the 'Filmalaya' Film Institute for a while. During his stay in Bombay, he was accompanied by legendary actors Dilip Kumar and Shashadhar Mukherjee. While acting in Kolkata, Razzak came in contact with Bengali film stars Uttam Kumar, Tapan Sinha, and director Piyush Saha. In 1964, on the advice of director Piyush Saha, Razzak migrated from Kolkata to Dhaka with his wife, Khairunnessa Lakshmi, and infant son, Bapparaj. Communal riots in Kolkata then were another factor behind Razzak's coming to Dhaka. He began his career in theater when he initially relocated to Dhaka from Kolkata. After then, he attracted viewers by appearing in the small-screen television drama, 'Gharwa'.
Razzak made his acting debut in Bangladeshi films in 1966 as a minor character in 13 'Nombor Feku Ostagor Lane', directed by Bashir Ahmed. However, in the movie 'Behula', directed by Zaheer Raihan, Razzak played the lead role with the heroine Suchanda. It is to be noted that Razzak has worked in a film for the first time with the famous heroine Suchanda. After that, he also teamed up with Kabri, Shabana, and Babita. But the Razzak-Kabri duo was the most popular in Bengali movies. It has already been mentioned that Razzak has performed in more than 400 films throughout his acting career, but he has achieved a remarkable feat by playing the lead role in more than 300 of them. He gained fame as a superstar or 'Nayak Raj' through his impeccable performance in these movies.
'Oudho Biswas' was the last film in which Razzak played as a hero in 1994. There are many popular movies starring Razzak. Among these are 'Behula', 'Agun Niye Khela', 'Etotuku Asha', 'Neel Akasher Niche', 'Jiban Theke Neya', 'Putro Bodhu', 'Ki Je Kori', 'Sona Bau', 'Ora 11 Jan', 'Abujh Man', 'Rangbaaz', 'Alor Michil', 'Abak Prithibi', 'Ashikkhito', 'Boro Bhalo Lok Chhilo', 'Dui Poyshar Alta', 'Deep Nibhe Nai', 'Moynamoti', 'Chhutir Ghonta', 'Beiyman', 'Laily Majnu', 'Ondho Biswas', 'Bandi Theke Begum', 'Sakhi Tumi Kaar', 'Ghoroni', 'Rajlakshi Srikanth', 'Suvoada', 'Chandranath', 'Jogajog and Baba Ken Chakar', etc. The 'Kartuj' is the latest movie by Razzak. The film was directed by Razzak's son, actor Bapparaj in 2015. Samrat, Razzak's younger son, portrayed the main character in it.
In addition to Bangla movies, Razzak has also acted in Urdu movies. Razzak starred in Urdu movies name 'Akheri Station', 'Ujala', 'Gauri', 'Meherban', and 'Payal'. After a protracted absence, Razzak returned to the West Bengal audience in the late 1990s with his movie 'Baba Ken Chakar'. Produced by Anjali Films, this movie was jointly released in West Bengal and Bangladesh in 1998. Later, he appeared in Kolkata, including in the films 'Annadata', 'Hero', 'Ere Naam Prem', and 'Janmadata', etc.
Razzak was a talented actor as well as a successful film director and producer. He made his debut as a director in 1977. He helmed a total of sixteen movies. 'Anant Prem' was the first film directed by Razzak. 'Zineer Badshah', 'Badnam', 'Professor', 'Baba Ken Chakar', 'Uttar Falguni', and 'Ayana Kahini' are some notable movies directed by Razzak. Apart from acting and directing, Razzak has also worked as a film producer. The name of the production house founded by him is 'Rajalakshmi Production'. This production house has produced many popular Bengali movies.
'Chairman er Charitra Phuler Moto Pabitra' is a television movie in which Razzak appeared in 2016. The film is produced by his production house Rajalakshmi Productions and directed by his son Samrat (also an actor). He contributed in many ways to developing the film industry in Bangladesh. On his initiative, the 'Bangladesh Film Artists Association' was established. In 1984, he was elected the first president of it.
Razzak was a famous and legendary actor in Bengali films. He has won fathomless admiration for his acting abilities and personality, becoming known as the ‘Nayak Raj’ (King of Heroes) of Bengali movies. He has received numerous accolades and prizes for his outstanding achievements and services to the performing arts. In 2015, the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh awarded him with the highest state honour 'Shadhinata Padak' for his unique contribution to cultural affairs. He won the ‘National Film Award’ five times in the best actor category in 1976, 1978, 1982, 1984, and 1988. He was conferred the 'Lifetime Achievement' Award at the National Film Awards in 2013. In addition, he received recognition for his acting in movies from the 'Bangladesh Film Journalists Association' (BACHSAS) Award, the 'Indo-Bangla Kala Music' Award, the 'IFAD Film Club' Award, the 'Bangladesh Binodon Shangbadik Somiti' (BABISAS) 'Lifetime Achievement' Award, the 'Television Reporters Association of Bangladesh' (TRAB) Award, and the 'Meril-Prothom Alo Lifetime Achievement' Award. Razzak is the first actor from Bangladesh to hold the position of Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
'Nayak Raj' Razzak, a legendary actor in the Bangladesh film industry, passed away in Dhaka on 21 August 2017 from a severe heart attack. He was then 75 years of age. [Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan]
