Entertainment Desk:

After a lifetime of groundbreaking contributions to Bangladeshi cinema, Azizur Rahman, the visionary behind the iconic film “Chhutir Ghonta”, never received state recognition while he was alive. This absence of official acknowledgement was a source of regret for his family. Now, nearly three years after his passing, the government has announced that Azizur Rahman will be honoured with the posthumous Ekushey Padak, the second-highest civilian award in the country –finally bringing solace to his family.

His daughter, Alia Rahman Bindi, expressed their relief in a heartfelt Facebook post, writing, “My father, Azizur Rahman, was a man of true integrity. He worked tirelessly to reach where he did, without ever compromising his values. He never resorted to sycophancy, and instead, devoted his entire life to filmmaking. His commitment to original storytelling, relentless hard work, and passion for exploring new technologies elevated his films to a different league. That’s why his works continue to be discussed across generations.”

Azizur Rahman’s absence of state recognition during his lifetime never seemed to affect him personally. However, his daughter believes he would have been delighted to hear the news if he were still alive. Bindi added, “While Papa never expressed any personal regret, as his children, we always felt it. He directed 52 films and was more than just a filmmaker—he was a painter, a producer, a writer, a poster artist, a set designer, a title maker, and even a makeup artist. It’s hard to believe that someone of his incredible versatility never received a national award. But on Sunday we celebrate his posthumous Ekushey Padak. If Papa were here, he would be so happy. This is a profound honour for our family, and we are deeply grateful to the government of Bangladesh for this recognition.”

Azizur Rahman’s journey in cinema began in 1958 when he worked as an assistant director under Ehtesham on the film “E Desh Tomar Amar”. His directorial debut came in 1967 with the film “Soifulmuluk-Badiuzzamal” marking the start of a prolific career. Rahman went on to direct a total of 54 films, with “Chhutir Ghonta” standing out as his most beloved and enduring work. Other notable films by him include “Oshikkhito”, “Matir Ghor”, “Jonota Express”, “Otithi”, “Rongin Rupban”, and “Dil.” On March 14, 2022, Azizur Rahman passed away while receiving treatment in a Toronto hospital.