Poet and actor Rifat Chowdhury is recovering after major spinal surgery at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and hopes to return to work, with plans to focus more on directing than acting.
Rifat underwent the operation successfully last Thursday. Doctors changed his dressing on Sunday and examined him again on Monday. Although his condition has improved, he is still unable to walk and needs more time to recover fully.
“I am feeling much better now,” Rifat said, adding that doctors had advised him to follow a routine during his recovery.
The actor was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital last month after falling seriously ill. At the time, he had no one accompanying him and spent time on the hospital floor. After reports drew attention to his condition, hospital authorities moved him to a cabin and arranged treatment.
Rifat is no longer alone. Relatives are now visiting him and helping with his care. If his recovery continues as expected, he may be discharged in about a week.
He plans to stay at his daughter’s home after leaving hospital, as he will need family support while recovering from the major operation.
“I cannot walk yet, and I will have to follow a routine. It is not possible to live alone in this condition,” he said.
Rifat also plans to change his lifestyle and follow medical advice more carefully. He said irregular habits had become routine for him, but he now wants to prioritise his health.
The actor had previously said he did not want to return to acting. However, he now believes he must resume work to support himself. He also hopes to devote more time to directing.
“I have no other profession. Writing does not bring in much income, and acting is where I earn my money. So I will have to return. This time, however, I plan to focus more on directing than acting,” he said.
Rifat expressed gratitude to the doctors, nurses and other hospital staff for their care, as well as to the people who supported him during his illness. He said receiving treatment at the public hospital had spared him the substantial costs he might have faced at a private facility.
As he continues to recover, Rifat is looking ahead to returning to work while relying on his family and following his doctors’ advice.
