Abdur Razzak, the Nayak Raj of Bangla films, dies

bdnews24.com :
Abdur Razzak, fondly known as Nayak Raj for his legendary film roles, has died at the age of 75.
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 were also seen entering the hospital.
“My brother Bappi is in Canada. We will find out tonight if he can come here tomorrow.”
“His body will be kept at the hospital’s mortuary tonight and he will be buried tomorrow if Bappi is able to return by then.”
“Please pray for my father’s soul. This is our hope from the nation.”
The actor’s son said the family would inform the media of any plan to hold a pre-burial ceremony by Monday night.
Razzak left behind wife Khairunnesa Lokkhi, another son Bapparaj 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.