At the launch of his autobiography, ‘Robi Poth’, Ekushey Padak-winning actor, playwright and director Abul Hayat was moved to tears, and his heartfelt emotions also moved many people in the audience.

Held at the Shilpakala Academy Gallery Auditorium, the event attracted luminaries from the art and cultural scene, all gathered to honor the life and contributions of Abul Hayat. With eight decades of life and a storied career behind him, Hayat had finally described his journey in words, providing a window into his personal and professional life.

Organized by the Actor’s Guild, the launch featured Syed Manzoorul Islam, professor at Dhaka University, as the chief guest. The auditorium was filled with esteemed personalities from the entertainment industry including Mamunur Rashid, Tariq Anam Khan, Nawazish Ali Khan and Sara Zaker. Hayat’s daughters, actress and architect Bipasha Hayat, from the United States, and Natasha Hayat, were also there to support their father.

The host of the evening, Aupee Karim, invited Abul Hayat to speak. As he took the stage, the weight of his journey became evident. Midway through, he called his wife, Shirin Hayat, on stage, holding her hand as he became visibly emotional. He began to cry, his voice cracking as he spoke about his life, drawing the audience into a deep silence.

In a rare and candid moment, Hayat shared a deeply personal story. “Three years ago I found out I had cancer. When I came home from the hospital I couldn’t speak.” He paused, then continued, his voice trembling, remembering how his wife had comforted him. “She said to me, ‘What’s the problem? We’re all here. You’ll get better. We’ll do whatever it takes.'”

He described sleepless nights and moments of despair, but expressed deep gratitude to his daughters, Bipasha and Natasha, who became his source of strength. “They gave me hope, they gave me the courage to keep fighting,” he said, his gratitude evident.

With quiet determination, he shared his ongoing fight and the determination he finds in his family. “Please pray for me,” he implored the audience, tears streaming down his face. “I want to keep fighting. My family is with me. Your love is with me.”

As Hayat cried, her daughters, Bipasha and Natasha, could no longer hold back their emotions, crying as they watched their father, a figure they had always considered strong, lay bare his vulnerabilities. The entire room remained silent, and many spectators were visibly moved. It was a moment of shared empathy, a collective recognition of her struggles and triumphs.

Reflecting on “Robi Poth”, Hayat said: “This book was ten years in the making. My family encouraged me to write my autobiography. I don’t know if I wrote it well, but I tried.”

The emotional atmosphere was softened by the actors reading selected excerpts from the book, bringing Hayat’s stories to life. Earlier in the evening, singer Farhin Khan Joyita performed a soulful song, while Fahim Hossain Chowdhury enthralled the audience with ‘Akash Bhora Shurjo Tara’. Dancer Tahmeena Sultana Mou added a touch of elegance to her performance, setting a graceful tone for the event.

Published by Suborno Prakashani, “Robi Poth” is more than an autobiography: it is a mirror of Abul Hayat’s journey of resilience, love and dedication towards his profession and his family.

As the event drew to a close, Hayat’s legacy became even more impactful. Through his words, he shared not only his story but also his heart, reminding everyone that behind every artist there is a human being who, even at 80 years old, continues to fight, love and create.