Abdur Razzak

Mohammad Abdur Razzak (Bengali: [abd̪uɾ razːak] ^ⓘ; 23 January 1942 – 21 August 2017), known professionally as Razzak, was a Bangladeshi actor, producer, and director who was predominantly worked in Dhallywood cinema. Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most successful actors in the history of Bangladeshi cinema, he was referred to in the media as "Nayak Raj", a term introduced by Ahmed Zaman Chowdhury, editor of the film magazine Chitrali.

His debut film as a producer was with the film Akankha (1976), directed by Subhash Dutta, and it was produced under his own production company, Rajlokkhi Productions. Razzak won the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Actor five times for his roles in the films Ki Je Kori (1976), Ashikkhito (1978), Boro Bhalo Lok Chhilo (1982), Chandranath (1984), and Jogajog (1988). He was awarded the Independence Award in 2015 by the government of Bangladesh. He acted in more than 300 Bangladeshi and Indian Bengali and Urdu films, and also directed 16 films.

Razzak was born in Naktala, South Kolkata. His parents, Akbar Hossain and Nisarunnesa, died at early ages. He joined the troupe Rongo Shobha Natya Dal, led by Chhabi Biswas. In 1961, he went to Mumbai to get a diploma at the Filmalaya Film Institute. The 1964 Calcutta riots made work difficult. That year, he moved to Dacca to try to break into the nascent East Pakistani film industry.

In Dhaka, Razzak found work at Abdul Jabbar Khan's Iqbal Films, and assisted in Kamal Khan's Ujala. He then worked in small roles in the films Akheri Station and Tero Nombor Feku Ostagor Lane.

In 1966, Zahir Raihan was looking for someone to play the lead role in his new film Behula. He chose Razzak, who was then serving as one of his assistants. Razzak went on to act in films including Abirbhab, Moynamoti, Taka Ana Pai, Dorpochurno, and Jibon Theke Neya (1970). After the 1971 Liberation War, he continued working on the films Manusher Mon, Ora Egaro Jon, and Osru Diye Lekha.

Razzak got his major breakthrough by acting in the action film Rongbaj (1974), directed by Zahirul Haq.

Razzak acted in leading roles with many prominent actors and actresses, including Anwar Hossain, Bulbul Ahmed, Sohel Rana, Ilias Kanchan, Shuchanda, Shabana, Bobita, Kabori, Sujata, Shabnam, and others. He appeared in a number of films opposite actress Shabana.

Razzak went on to make more than 300 appearances in Bengali and Urdu movies.

Razzak made his directorial debut in 1977 with the film Ononto Prem. He created his own production company, Rajlokkhi Productions. He went on to become the first Bangladeshi actor to be a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador. He later founded the Bangladesh Film Artistes' Association.

He was given the Independence Day Award in 2015 by the Government of Bangladesh.

On 2 March 1962, Razzak married Khairun Nesa "Lokkhi" out of love. Together they had three sons, Bapparaj, Bappi, and Samrat, and two daughters, Nasrin Pasha and Afrin Alam.

He died on 21 August 2017 in Dhaka.

• All films are in Bangladeshi Bengali-language, unless otherwise noted.