Nayak Raj Razzak
By Abu Masani
When I sat down to write something on Nayak Raj Razzak, I felt proud, and embarrassed, too.
Embarrassment, because I feel I am too young to write about the illustrious acting career of the icon of Bangla film industry, or much of anything about him.
Abdur Razzak, fondly called Nayak Raj, or King of Heroes, died at a hospital in Dhaka on August 21 at the age of 75. The next day, thousands of grief-stricken fans, fellow actors, cultural activists and even politicians gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar and at FDC (Bangladesh Film Development Corporation) to pay their last respects to the veteran actor and director. He was later laid rest at Banani graveyard.
Anyway, I have dared to write something on him. It is my tribute to him from my little knowledge. As a journalist, I know about Nayak Raj from some of his colleagues and his many newspaper and TV interviews. I am not capable of writing on this legends acting skills, but I would like to write about his films, which I loved to watch in my youth.
We know that Razzaks journey in the film industry was not an easy one. After much struggle, he found fame and popularity.
Razzak was born in 1942 at Naktala in Kolkata, India. He lost his parents at a young age. He worked on stage and television before making it on the big screen. He joined the troupe, Rongo Shobha Natya Dal, led by actor Chhabi Biswas. In 1961, he went to Mumbai to do a diploma at the Filmalaya Film Institute. Razzak made his film debut in Ratan Lal Bengali and appeared in Pankotilak and Shilalipi in Kolkata. He fled to then East Pakistan with his family during the communal violence of 1964 in Kolkata.
After migrating to Dhaka, he initially acted in television plays and became popular for his role in the TV series Ghoroa. Later, pioneer filmmaker Abdul Jabbar Khan helped him to join Iqbal Films Ltd. He was an assistant to director Kamal Ahmed in the movie Ujala. He made his breakthrough in Dhallywood, as the Dhaka film industry is called, with a small part in Salahuddins Tero Nombor Feku Ostagar Lane. He landed his first lead role in Zahir Raihan film Behula in 1966. Coincidently, he also worked in Raihans last feature film, Jibon Theke Neya in 1970.
A five-time National Film Award winner, Razzak became a heartthrob with his performance in the action film, Rongbaj, directed by Zahirul Haq in 1974. He went on to make more than 300 films in Bangla and Urdu, and directed 16 movies.
Razzak made his directorial debut in 1977 with Ononto Prem, which became a mega hit. He created his own production company, Rajlokkhi Productions. He later founded the Bangladesh Film Artistes Association.
Razzak loved the film industry from his heart, thats why he starred in, produced and directed so many films. Once, he even lent his voice to a song, Duniar chokkor, kar asey kothay ghor, in the movie Agni Shikha, directed by Azizur Rahman.
He brought three actresses, Kajori (Joker, Mouchor), Aruna Biswas (Chanpa Dangar Bou) and Sonia (Prem Shokti) into the film industry. He also introduced TV personality Hanif Sangket in his film, Chanpa Dangar Bou. Two of his sons, Bappa Raj and Shamrat, also became actors. He got his youngest daughter, Moyna, to act in two of his films, Pagla Raza and Joker, as a child. Baba Keno Chakar, starring Razzak and his son Bappa Raj, was a huge hit.
In our childhood, we had only two options for entertainment. One was watching films in the cinema halls, and another was playing outside. At that time, television was not available everywhere. So, we know Razzak through watching his popular films. The experience of watching him on the screen was fantastic.
I cannot remember when I saw his first movie, but I remember its name. It was Jiban Sangeet, which also starred Suchanda and Olivia. After seeing this movie, I become his fan. I still remember watching his last movie at Jonaki Cinema in Naya Palatan. The film was called Sobar Uporey Maa, where he acted opposite Shabana.
Razzak appeared in films with many popular actors of the day, including Anwar Hossain, Hasan Imam, Bulbul Ahmed, Sohel Rana, Uzzal, Alamgir and Ilias Kanchan. He played the lead with the most popular heroines of Bangla movies, such as Nasima Khan, Shabnam, Suchanda, Kobori, Sujata, Shabana, Bobita, Olivia, Suchorita, Anjana, Rozina, Anju Ghose, Doel, Kajori, Champa and Nipa Monalisa. Although Razzak was often paired with Kabori in films, his most popular hits were with Shabana.
He acted in popular movies like Ashikhkhito, Anonto Prem, Badnam, Boro Bhalo Lok Chhilo, Chanda Hariye Gelo, Chhutir Ghanta, Ghar Sangsar, Joker, Kije Kori, Keu Karo Noy, Moner Moto Bou, Matir Ghor, Neel Akasher Nichey, Osru Diye Lekha, Obak Prithibi, Obujh Mon, Onek Prem, Onek Jala, Pagla Raja, Rajanigandha, Rajlaxmi Srikanto, Sukhe Thako, Swaralipi, Smriti Tuku Thak, and many more.
Razzak received the Independence Day Award in 2015 and he was the first Bangladeshi actor to become a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador. Most of all, he was a top to bottom gentleman.
Nayak Raj Razzak is survived by his wife, Khairunnesa Laxmi, and four of their five children.
The writer is a sub-editor of The Independent newspaper.
Photos: Courtesy
