‘We met in Kolkata and came close very quickly’

Veteran actor Mamunur Rashid expressed his condolences over Aly Zaker's death.

"We met each other in Kolkata and were both working at Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra at that time. We became close very quickly," he exclaimed to The Business Standard correspondent.

Mamunur Rashid offered Aly Zaker to act in a play written by him called 'Paschimer Siri' while working at Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra. They rehearsed for several days to stage the play. Later, as the country became independent, the play was not staged.

"Getting back at the country, we formed together 'Aranyak Natyadal'- a theatre group. We staged the famous play 'Kabor' written by Muneer Chowdhury together," Mamunur Rashid said.

"Aly Zaker left Aranyak Natyadal in 1973 and joined 'Nagarik Natyasampraday'- another theatre group that year. However, there was no rift in our friendship," he reminisced.

"Aly Zaker later acted in the play 'Pagri' which was written by me. It was aired on BTV. The two of us did a lot more work together later on," he added further.