Friday, August 21, the ninth death anniversary of Nayak Raj Razzak, the timeless actor of Bangladeshi cinema. The screen legend passed away on this day in 2017 after suffering a cardiac at the age of 75.
Born in Kolkata, Razzak’s initiation into acting began with stage plays while he was only in the seventh grade. Seeking a fresh start, he migrated to Bangladesh with his family in 1964. Starting from scratch, his relentless perseverance and arduous struggle eventually earned him the revered “Nayak Raj” or the King of Heroes.
Razzak found his gateway into the local film industry with the assistance of Abdul Jabbar Khan, the director of the region’s first full-length feature film, Mukh O Mukhosh.
He officially debuted in Bangladeshi cinema in 1966, playing a minor role in 13 Number Feku Ostagar Lane. However, it was his lead performance as Lakhindar in Zahir Raihan’s Behula later that same year that firmly established his footing in the industry.
Following the country’s independence, Manusher Mon was his first film to hit the theaters, becoming a massive commercial success and heralding the dawn of the “Razzak Era.” He soon became the ultimate icon of Bangladeshi cinema with stellar performances in acclaimed titles like Ora 11 Jon—the first film based on the Liberation War—Chhonda Hariye Gelo, and Obujh Mon.
Spanning a career of nearly five decades, Razzak graced the silver screen in approximately 500 Bengali and Urdu films. His illustrious filmography includes cinematic masterpieces such as Agun Niye Khela, Etotuku Asha, Neel Akasher Niche, Jibon Theke Neya, Rongbaz, Alor Michil, Oshikkhito, Chhutir Ghonta, Boro Bhalo Lok Chhilo, and O Amar Desher Mati.
Beyond acting, he proved his mettle behind the camera by directing 16 films. He also established his own production house, Rajlokkhi Production, which financed several notable cinematic ventures.
As the face of the Bangladeshi film industry for decades, Razzak won the National Film Award for Best Actor five times. In recognition of his profound impact on the nation’s cultural landscape, the Government of Bangladesh conferred upon him the prestigious Independence Award in 2015.
On the solemn occasion of his passing, the Daily Delta family extends its deepest respects to the eternal hero of Dhallywood.
