Nayak Raj's grand exit for a new role in a different world

His life has been one full of struggle, coincidences, success and unimaginable popularity. Few movie stars can go beyond the silver screens in the likes of a true hero and Nayak Raj Razzak was one of them. The undisputed emperor of Bangladesh cinema, who reigned for nearly four decades, passed away at the capital's United Hospital in the evening last Monday following a heart attack. He was admitted there earlier in the day after falling sick. However, the sudden demise of the legendary movie star Razzak is heart-rending, but not to forget that death is a part of reality. In tuned with this eternal truth, our country and film industry is happy and proud to have been blessed with the presence of the Nayak Raj.
When most of the leading actors of the 60's Dhaka cinema were indifferent in playing the lead role for Zahir Raihan's "Behula", it was none other than the movie's one of the unknown assistant producers to have been picked up for the role and thus, Razzak of the silver screen was born.
 Razzak became a household name with films like "Abirbhab", "Moynamoti", "Taka Ana Pai", "Dorpochurno" and "Jibon Theke Neya". He carried on this momentum well after the Liberation War with films like "Manusher Mon", "Ora Egaro Jon" and "Osru Diye Lekha". By the time Razzak became the first action hero of the country with Zahirul Haq's "Rongbaj" in 1974, his title "Nayak Raj" - affectionately given by Chitrali editor Ahmed Zaman Chowdhury had been established.
Along with his stardom was also born a new actor who would be widely acclaimed for being the most respectable and easy-to-work with movie star. When it comes to working with co-artists - Razzak's position is inimitable - ranging from Shuchonda, Kobori , Shabana to Bobita all agreed unanimously  that they have never had such a versatile actor in the industry.     
Perhaps one of the most important lessons our today's movie actors should learn from this legend is that, despite being at the height of his popularity, he kept pushing his limits, playing the role of a security guard in "Oshikkhito" in 1978 and of a school assistant in Azizur Rahman's "Chhutir Ghonta".
This was highly unusual for an industry-ruling lead actor. Today it is the passion for experimenting with one's acting abilities which is largely missed in our film industry. Unlike the Nayak Raj our actors of today are more focused on money, popularity and awards. But a true actor never restricts his capabilities by playing lead roles only.
However, since the mid 80's he went on to act and direct films, many under his own production company Rajlokkhi Productions, named after his wife. Ornamented with five national awards and international recognition, he went on to become the first Bangladeshi actor to be a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador, and founded the Bangladesh Film Artistes' Association. All along he kept his presence on the silver screen.
Expressively we are sad; we don't also know which lead role the Nayak Raj will be casting in the hereafter, but the heaven is now blessed with an actor par excellence. Having completed his role in this world he is now all set to win the hearts of a different audience of an unseen world. Whatever his role in the hereafter maybe, let that audience be mesmerized by his charm, wit and humour.

The writer is the Assistant Editor for the Daily Observer