We have been cast aside like dustbins: Abul Hayat

Veteran actor Abul Hayat has expressed deep disappointment over the diminishing presence of senior actors in the local film industry. 

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the release of his latest film Dayamukti, he lamented that older actors are being sidelined by directors.  

�These days, we, the older actors and actresses, have been rejected. It feels as though we have been cast aside like dustbins,� he said. �But in foreign films, actors of our age continue to be given meaningful roles, with characters specifically created for them.�  

Dayamukti, a government-funded film directed by Badiul Alam Khokon, was released in theaters on February 7. The movie revolves around the struggles of the elderly in old-age homes, a theme that resonated deeply with Hayat.  

Reflecting on past roles, he recalled how his characters were often given unnatural deaths. �I used to play roles where my character would die, and then my photo would be hung on the wall while others spent the rest of the film mourning me,� he said with a touch of humor.  

Hayat revealed that during the making of Dayamukti, he was battling cancer. �When Khokon offered me this role, I was sick. But he insisted, saying, �Get well, Hayat bhai. If you don�t do this film, I won�t make it.�� He added that playing this role gave him mental strength and renewed his determination to keep fighting�both in life and in acting.  

The film highlights the issue of neglecting parents in old age. �Many people believe that simply providing financial support is enough, but this film shows the importance of being present and emotionally connected with our parents,� Hayat explained.  

Beyond acting, Abul Hayat is also a playwright, director, and author. His autobiography, Ravi Path, has been released at this year�s book fair under Suvarna Prakashani. He continues to contribute to the cultural landscape of the country, proving that his legacy is far from over.