At the age of 70, Nayak Raj Razzaq (king of heroes) is satisfied with his successful life and wants to continue his career as an actor and director. But, he feels pain at the turmoil that the film industry is going through.
On occasion of his 70th birth anniversary today, New Age talked with the king of Bangladeshi filmdom widely known as Dhaliwood on various issues.
‘I’m still active and wish to continue my career till the last breath. I’m thankful to Allah, to the industry and to the masses for giving me honour,’ Abdur Razzaq told New Age.
‘But, I feel pain at the continuous fall of the industry. Nobody really cares for the industry. Government should immediately take some effective measures to control the fall,’ he said.
From his vast experience of over four decades in the industry, Razzaq observes that shortage of quality cinemas and lack of talent in the industry are two major causes for the fall of the industry.
‘Cinemas need to be improved a lot. Who wants to go to such poor cinemas to watch movies? Government should take steps for the improvement of the cinemas and also force the entrepreneurs to keep cineplexes in the shopping malls,’ he said.
‘Shortage of talented directors and actors is another major problem in the industry. Now I don’t see any talented director who could create talented artistes like me. Just because of the shortage of talented directors, the producers don’t get the turn over,’ he added.
A vocal against the import of the Indian movies in Bangladesh, Razzaq, however, believes that the three Indian movies those have been imported so far will not have any impact on the industry. ‘Such poor quality Kolkata movies cannot be considered as threat.’
‘But, if they [exhibitors] try to import more movies, I’ll try to generate the best possible resistance along with the people who love our industry,’ said Razzaq.
Born on January 23, 1942 in Kolkata, Razzaq had fascination for art and culture from his boyhood. While studying at a college in Kolkata, he for the first time appeared in the movie titled Ratan Lal Bangali. With the aim to be a film star, Razzaq went to learn film study in Filmalaya in Mumbai, India in 1959. Returning from Mumbai, he also performed in two other movies in Kolkata titled Pankotilak and Shilalipi. He could manage to develop his access to the Kolkata based movie industry.
However, the Hindu-Muslim riot broke out in 1964 forced Razzak and his family to migrate to Dhaka. Though Razzaq had the aim to rule the then East Pakistani movie industry, after the migration, he however, initially started acting in TV plays. He became a favourite of the viewers of Pakistan television acting in the series Ghoroa. But, he did not forget about his dream of becoming a ‘film star.’
Razzaq has acted in over 300 movies including Jibon Theke Neya, Maynamati, Obujh Mon, Beimaan, Neel Akasher Niche, Oshikkhito, Chhutir Ghonta and Baadi Theke Begum. Razzaq, however, played his last role as a hero in 1994 in the movie Ondho Biswas. Then, after a five year hiatus, he returned to the silver screen for a role in Baba Kano Chakor. These days he appears only for the roles suitable to his age and position.
Razzak is a UNFPA goodwill ambassador.