Riaz Uddin Ahamed Siddique (Bengali: রিয়াজ উদ্দিন আহমেদ সিদ্দিক, Bengali pronunciation: [ijad͡ʒ ud̪ in amed Siddique.ogg]; born 26 October 1972),[4] commonly known as Riaz, is a Bangladeshi film actor, producer, and television presenter[5] who has appeared in more than 100 Bengali films in genres ranging from romance to action to comedies.[6] He is the recipient of numerous awards, including three National Film Awards[7] and seven Meril Prothom Alo Awards. He portrayed the famous literary character, Shuvro, created by Humayun Ahmed, in Daruchini Dip.

Riaz Ahmed
রিয়াজ আহমেদ
Riaz in 2017
Born
Riaz [1]

(1972-10-27) 27 October 1972 (age 52)
OccupationActor[2]
Years active1995–present
Political partyAwami League
Spouse
Mushfika Tina
(m. 2007)
[2]
AwardsBangladesh National Film Awards (three times)[3]
Meril Prothom Alo Awards (seven times)
Military service
Allegiance Bangladesh
Service / branch Bangladesh Air Force
Years of service1991–1993
Rank Flying officer

Riaz first appeared onscreen as a side role in filmmaker Dewan Nazrul's social action drama Banglar Nayok (1995).[4] He began a full-time career in film with a leading role in the highly successful romantic drama Praner Cheye Priyo (1997).[4] In 1995, Riaz worked with Bollywood actress Susmita Sen for Mahesh Manjrekar's film It Was Raining That Night. His last movie "Krishnopokkho" was released on 26 February 2016, directed by Meher Afroz Shaon.[8][9] Riaz briefly served in the Bangladesh Air Force before joining the film industry.

Early life

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Riaz was born in 1972[4] to an aristocratic Muslim family in Faridpur District, Bangladesh. Riaz is the youngest child in his family. He has six sisters and a brother, Raisuddin Ahamed Siddique. He was brought up in CNB staff quarters of Faridpur for the first sixteen years of his life.[5] His father, the late Zainuddin Ahamed Siddique, was a government service holder. His mother was Arjumand Ara Begum. His paternal home is in Jessore District[citation needed]. His father died in 1988. He studied in St. Joseph Higher Secondary School and Dhaka College.[5]

Military career

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Riaz (center) with his colleagues of the Bangladesh Air Force

Riaz participated in the examinations to be a pilot in the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) right after his HSC results in 1988. He enrolled at the BAF Academy from 1989 to 1991 for flying training and to earn his bachelor's degree under University of Rajshahi in science, he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer and became a fighter pilot in Bangladesh Air Force in 1991. However, he was dismissed from the air force in 1993, he was promoted till Flying Officer rank.[5]

Acting career

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Riaz, Shuchanda, Bobita, Tina and Champa at Cox's Bazar in 2014

After withdrawal from the BAF, Riaz moved to Dhaka in 1994. There he met his cousin, actress Bobita, and started his film career in 1995. Riaz was in Dewan Nazrul's commercially successful 1995 film Banglar Nayok,[10] although the movie did not bring him personal popularity.[11] In 1997, Mohammad Hannan's romantic film Praner Cheye Priyo was an extraordinary commercial success, and Riaz became popular soon after.[11] He works with many renowned filmmakers in Bangladesh, and has acted in numerous films that have been commercially successful.[12] He was also in filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar's film It Was Raining That Night and has acted in the English language.[13] In this film, he acted with Sushmita Sen for the first time.[14] Now he has become a popular heartthrob to millions of people in the country.[5]

Early in his career, Riaz played some romantic roles in films such as Praner Cheye Priyo, Hridoyer Aina (1997), Kajer Meye, Prithibi Tomar Amar, Bhalobasi Tomake (1998), Biyer Phul, Narir Mon (1999), E Badhon Jabena Chire, Nishwase Tumi Biswase Tumi, Bhownkor Bishu (2000), Hridoyer Bandhon, In 2002, he received his third Meril-Prothom Alo Award for Best Actor with Shahadat Hossain Liton's romance O Priya Tumi Kothay co-starring Shakib Khan for the first time, Premer Taj Mahal (2002), Moner Majhe Tumi (2003), Wrong Number (2004), Hridoyer Kotha (2006) and Akash Chhoa Bhalobasa (2008).

He has acted in some literary adaptations, and in his career he has portrayed many consecutive roles to wide critical acclaim in films such as Dui Duari (2000), Shasti: Punishment, Megher Pore Megh: Clouds After Cloud and Shyamol Chhaya: The Green Shadow (2004), Hajar Bachhor Dhore: Symphony of Agony (2005), Bidrohi Padma and Khelaghar: Dollhouse (2006), Daruchini Dip and Ekjon Songe Chhilo (2007), Megher Koley Rod: Sunshine in the Clouds, Ki Jadu Korila and Chandra Grohon: The Lunar Eclipse (2008), Ebadat: The Worship (2009) and Modhumoti (2011). Riaz also acted in Ogni Bolaka a drama that is based on Birshreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman's life.[15]

Personal life

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Riaz married Mushfika Tina, a Tv host, also a dance teacher, in a traditional Muslim wedding ceremony on 18 December 2007.[16]

Criticism

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Riaz took a stand for the government during the repression of the dictatorship Awami League government on the students in the quota reform movement that took place in 2024.[17] During the movement, a group of pro-autocracy Awami artists, including Riaz, were active against the movement in a WhatsApp group called 'Alo Ashbei'[18] led by actor Ferdous. After the non-cooperation movement, on September 3, 2024, some screenshots related to that WhatsApp group were spread on social media.[19][20]

Filmography

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Awards and nominations

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Riaz receiving the National Award 2008 from prime minister Sheikh Hasina in 2010

Riaz has received Three National Film Awards for his unique contribution in the Bangladesh film industry.[3] Acting for the films Dui Duari (2000) by Humayun Ahmed,[10] Daruchini Dip (2007) by Tauquir Ahmed[10] and Ki Jadu Korila (2008) by Chandan Chowdhury.[21]

National Film Awards

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Winner

Meril Prothom Alo Awards

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Winner

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Arumana (20 January 2011). "Riaz Gadha". People Face of Bangladesh. Dhaka. Archived from the original on 27 February 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  2. ^ a b Nusrat Jahan Pritom (19 January 2010). "Riaz and Tina: A perfect match on and off screen". The Daily Star. Dhaka. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  3. ^ a b Rashed Shaon. চার দশকে আমাদের সেরা চলচ্চিত্রগুলো. GLITZ.bdnews24 (in Bengali). Dhaka. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  4. ^ a b c d "Actor Riaz on 'Amar Ami' tonight". The Daily Sun. Dhaka. 17 August 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d e Mahmuda Afroz (4 August 2006). ""There is no ingenuity in our current films"-- Riaz". The Daily Star. Dhaka. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  6. ^ Nusrat Jahan Pritom (12 June 2014). "The Charming Riaz". The Daily Sun. Dhaka. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  7. ^ Alamgir Kobir (12 April 2014). উল্টো পথে রিয়াজ. Daily Naya Diganta (in Bengali). Dhaka. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  8. ^ Ananda Kantha (14 February 2014). আজ মুক্তি পাচ্ছে ৫ চলচ্চিত্র. Janakantha (in Bengali). Dhaka. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  9. ^ পেশাদারির উন্নতি হয়নি: রিয়াজ. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 12 February 2014. Archived from the original on 3 March 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  10. ^ a b c তারকার ডায়েরি. Manab Zamin (in Bengali). Dhaka. 15 November 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  11. ^ a b Mahfuzur Rahman (8 September 2010). "ফিরে দেখা ঈদের ছবি". The Daily Ittefaq (in Bengali). Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  12. ^ রিয়াজ. The Daily Ittefaq (in Bengali). Dhaka. 21 October 2010. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  13. ^ Alauddin Majid (3 November 2010). আর অভিনয় নয় : রিয়াজ. Daily Bangladesh Protidin (in Bengali). Dhaka. Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  14. ^ Kamruzzaman (19 September 2009). তিনিই সুস্মিতা সেন! কামরুজ্জামান. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Dhaka. Archived from the original on 30 August 2010. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  15. ^ "Good work I do not return : Actor Riaz". Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  16. ^ Magazine-GROOVE (10 February 2014). "Dance Makes Them Love: Riaz-Tina". The Daily Sun. Dhaka. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  17. ^ "Shock and surprise grip entertainment arena after chats discovery". daily-sun. September 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  18. ^ "Alo Ashbei WhatsApp group message leaked". The Daily Star. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  19. ^ "'Throw hot water on protesters': 'Alo Ashbei' artistes' WhatsApp group under fire". The Daily Star. 3 September 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  20. ^ "Leaked conversation of artists speaking against student movement goes viral". The Business Standard. 4 September 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  21. ^ a b Meghla Rahman Brishti (19 February 2010). অভিনয়ে সেরা রিয়াজ ও পপি. The Daily Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). Dhaka. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  22. ^ "PM to distribute film awards today". The Daily Star. Dhaka. BSS. 10 September 2003. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  23. ^ Nadia Sarwat (25 October 2008). "National Film Awards generate enthusiasm". The Daily Star. Dhaka. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  24. ^ "Meril-Prothom Alo Award handed over". The Daily Star. Dhaka. 22 May 2004. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
  25. ^ Khalid-Bin-Habib (14 May 2006). "Meril-Prothom Alo Award '05". The Daily Star. Dhaka. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
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