Veteran actor Ali Raj has returned to television with a new drama directed by SR Mojumdar, marking their first collaboration.
Ali Raj plays the father of actor Apurba in the drama ‘Kacher Keu’. Shooting for the production has already been completed.
For Ali Raj, the project offered an opportunity to work with a younger generation of director. He praised Mojumdar’s talent and said he enjoyed the experience.
“This is my first drama under SR Mojumdar’s direction. He is a talented director and a very good person. I enjoyed working with him and I am very hopeful about the drama,” Ali Raj said.
For Mojumdar, however, the collaboration carries a much deeper significance. He grew up watching Ali Raj on television and remembers his performance as Mahmud in the BTV drama ‘Dhakay Thaki’, which aired in 1984.
Mojumdar recalled how families would wait for the drama after the 8pm Bangla news. At the time, he was only six years old.
“Ali Raj bhai was brilliant as Mahmud in ‘Dhakay Thaki’. He later left television and became busy with films. Someone I once thought of as a distant star has now given me the opportunity to direct him,” Majumdar said.
The director also recalled an emotional moment during the shooting of ‘Kacher Keu’. He said Ali Raj’s performance in one scene moved him to tears and gave him a renewed appreciation of the veteran actor’s craft.
Ali Raj began his television career with ‘Ayina’, produced by Nasiruddin Yousuff Bachchu, before gaining wider recognition through ‘Dhakay Thaki’. He later entered cinema under the guidance of legendary actor-director Razzak, appearing in ‘Shot Bhai’.
He subsequently worked with Razzak in films including ‘Shomman’, ‘Dhongshon’ and ‘Durnam’. His filmography also includes ‘Shontan Amar Ohongkar’, ‘Paharadar’, ‘Padma Meghna Jamuna’ and ‘Ek Buk Jwala’.
Ali Raj won National Film Awards for his performances in ‘Pure Jay Mon’ in 2016 and ‘Jannat’ in 2018.
His upcoming films include ‘Nakphul’ and ‘Biday’, while his latest drama marks another return to the medium where his acting journey first began.
