Hectic schedule takes toll on Riaz

Riaz, one of the most commanding film stars of the past decade, had shied away from the silver screen for sometime, but looks set to come back strong with “Krishnopokkho”.

Unexpectedly, the actor was hospitalised on Monday after a cardiac arrest necessitated a coronary stent procedure. Portraying Muhib in Meher Afroz Shaon's film adaptation of Humayun Ahmed's novel “Krishnopokkho”, he had recently told The Daily Star that he was thoroughly enjoying working in the film. Beginning October 8, he had shot for eight days for the film, including a nightlong filming of a song with Mahiya Mahi on October 18. On the morning of October 19, he left for Bagerhat to attend a programme, and returned by helicopter that very evening.

Straight after landing he went to the Hoi Choi shooting house in Uttara, to shoot for a sequence with Mahiya Mahi's character whom he is supposed to marry at a Kazi Office. At the make-up room, Riaz fell ill, and was rushed by Shaon and actor Ferdous -- first to a nearby hospital, and then to Apollo Hospital. On hearing the news, many members of the film fraternity went to visit him there.

Riaz's wife Tina informed The Daily Star yesterday that he was out of danger and on the road to recovery. She called on everyone to keep him in their prayers.

Sources said around half the filming is over, while shooting continues in Riaz's absence.