If the government wants to help, I will not accept it: Rifat Chowdhury

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Arts & Entertainment Desk

Photo: Collected

Poet and actor Rifat Chowdhury has finally secured a cabin at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) after spending two days receiving treatment on the hospital floor.

On September 20, it was reported that Rifat was admitted to DMCH due to illness, and said he does not expect financial assistance from the government for his treatment. Instead, he appealed to financially capable individuals, businesspeople and cultural figures to come forward and support him.

“I am ill, and Actors Equity knows about it. But no one has contacted me,” Rifat said. “If the government lends a hand for aid, I will not accept it, because the government is itself run by the people’s taxes. It is the businesspeople, rich people and cultural figures who can help and who should be supporting me in my treatment.”

He expressed gratitude for the support he has already received, particularly from members of law enforcement. According to Rifat, the Deputy Commissioner of Ramna Police Station visited him and provided financial assistance.
“To me, it is really amazing that people from law enforcement are coming forward to help me,” he said.

Rifat also expressed disappointment over what he described as a tendency among people to show greater concern after someone has died.
“While I am alive, people will not look out for me, but it has become the nature of people to care more about someone when they are gone,” he said.

Rifat has been suffering from weakness, excessive fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain and insomnia for some time, according to his family. He is currently receiving treatment under the supervision of doctors at DMCH.

“No one from my family is with me at the hospital, as I am separated from them. My poet friend and physician, Amitabh Aranya, is here. Being alone is something that not everyone can endure. I have managed to endure it,” he shared.

A familiar face on television, Rifat has acted in more than 500 television dramas throughout his career. He has earned recognition for his performances in dramas including “House Full”, “Aim in Life”, “Patigonit”, “420”, “Sixty Nine”, “Bonmanush”, “Bicycle”, “Carrom” and “Murir Tin”.

His portrayal of “Jatiyo Kaka” in “Sixty Nine” brought him widespread recognition among television audiences.

Rifat is also an established poet. He entered the literary world in 1984 with his poem “Alingoner Naam”. According to reports, 29 of his books have been published so far.

Despite his illness, Rifat hopes to return to acting and writing poetry. His well-wishers have urged his colleagues, friends and members of the arts and literary communities to support him and pray for his recovery.