Bappy Chowdhury
Native nameবাপ্পি চৌধুরী
Birth nameBappy Kumar Saha
Birth dateDecember 6, 1982 (age 43)[1]
Birth placeNarayanganj, Greater Dhaka, Bangladesh
Height6 feet 3.5 inches
EducationUniversity of Liberal Arts Bangladesh
OccupationActor
Years active2012–present
WorksFull list

Bappy Chowdhury (born Bappy Kumar Saha; 6 December 1982) is a Bangladeshi actor who works in Dhallywood films.[2][3]

Chowdhury began his acting career with the box-office hit Bhalobasar Rong (2012). He went on to star in successful films including Prem Prem Paglami, Tobuo Bhalobashi (both 2013), Sweetheart (2016), Apon Manush (2017), Nayok (2018), Daag Hridoye and Paglami (both 2019). He also played Sultan in the 2017 film Sultana Bibiana, which initially underperformed but has gained public recognition over years. In 2021, Chowdhury won a Dhallywood Film and Music award in Best Actor category.

Early life and education

Chowdhury was born on December 6, 1982 in Narayanganj, Greater Dhaka, Bangladesh.[1] His father Noni Gopal Saha is a businessman and social worker,[4] and mother Swapan Saha (d. 2024) was a housewife.[5] Since his childhood, Chowdhury aspired to be an actor, inspired by Salman Shah and Nayok Raz Razzak.[1]

Born in a Hindu family, Chowdhury describes himself as a religious individual who believes in God.[6][7][8] He studied journalism from University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, and joined NTV as an apprentice journalist in 2018.[9]

Career

Chowdhury made his acting debut in 2012 with Bhalobasar Rong, opposite Mahiya Mahi. The film was a major financial success.[10] For his 2013 works—Onnorokom Bhalobasha, Prem Prem Paglaami and Tobou Bhalobashi—Chowdhury earned three Freelancer Rubel nominations in Best Actor category.[11][12][13] The 2013 commercial success Jotil Prem starred him opposite Achol.[14] Two of his subsequent films, Lover Number One and Ajob Prem (both 2015), were remakes of Indian movies.[15] In 2016, he starred with Bidya Sinha Saha Mim in two films: Sweetheart and Ami Tomar Hote Chai; the latter was a moderate success.[16][17] The same year, he also featured in Apon Manush with Pori Moni and in One Way with Bobby.[18][19]

In 2017, he reunited with Achol in Sultana Bibiana; although the film was unsuccessful,[20] he ranks Sultan amongst the most memorable roles of his career.[21][19] Chowdhury starred opposite Adhora Khan in Nayok (2018), which became a box office hit.[22] The thriller Dongiri (2019) saw him switch from romantic to action roles; the film proved popular with the audience.[23] His other two releases of 2019 were critical and financial successes: Daag Hridoye and Paglami.[24][25] Chowdhury's role in the liberation drama Priyo Kamala (2020) was well-received by critics.[3] He did not have any other releases in 2020–21 due to COVID-19 pandemic. He returned to screen in 2022 with Shoshurbari Zindabad 2, opposite Apu Biswas.[26]

Chowdhury then collaborated with director Kazi Hayat on Joy Bangla (2023; co-starring Zahara Mitu). It was a highly anticipated release,[27] based on Muntassir Mamoon's novel of the same name.[28] However, the film failed to attract an audience,[27] and so did his other release of 2023, Shotru.[7]

December 2024 saw the release of Chowdhury's delayed thriller film, Danger Zone, which was awaiting release since seven years.[29] Directed by Belal Sani, it stars Chowdhury opposite Falguni Rahman Jolly.[30]

Upcoming projects

In February 2022, New Age reported that Chowdhury is simultaneously working in eleven productions.[3] He will be playing the leading role in Ashraf Shishir's under-production film, 570, based on the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.[31] His other upcoming films include Kustigir which pair him with Zahara Mitu.[28]

In the media

Chowdhury is frequently referred to in the media as "The Sultan of Dhallywood", a nickname he has earned from his character in Sultana Bibiana (2017).[19][25][32] Shah Alam Shazu of The Daily Star describes Chowdhury as "one of the film industry's most sought-after names [who] created a craze around him[self] in a relatively short period of time."[33] Most of Chowdhury's films have been commercially successful.[22]

Following his debut in 2012, Chowdhury went on to act in 16 films in the first three years of his career, breaking the record of actor Salman Shah, who earlier had starred in 13 films in the same timespan.[1] While he initially became known for playing romantic roles,[3] he later expanded to negative characters with One Way (2016) and in the action genre with Dongiri (2019).[34][23] Critics have nonetheless derided his lack of versatility; the actor has expressed his wish to play more experimental roles in future.[32][3][35][21]

Chowdhury has advocated the upliftment of Bangladeshi art and cinema at multiple occasions.[21][15] When Dhallywood faced financial adversity during COVID-19 pandemic, he was among the highly-paid actors who lowered their fees to keep the industry afloat.[36] In 2021, he and Shakib Khan co-jointly won a Best Actor award at the Dhallywood Film and Music ceremony.[37] In 2023, Chowdhury was awarded in special category at the 20th Tele Cine Awards, held in Kolkata.[38]

On the behalf of BRAC, Chowdhury visited the Rohingya refugee camps in 2018. He later described the visit as "one of the most eye-opening experiences of [his] life".[21]

Filmography

YearFilmRoleDirectorNotes
2012Bhalobasar RongBappyShaheen SumonDebut film[39]
2013Onnorokom BhalobashaShuvoShaheen Sumon
Jotil PremJibon ChowdhuryShaheen Sumon[14]
RomeoRomeoRaju Chowdhury
Prem Prem PaglamiRomeoShafi Uddin Shafi
Tobuo BhalobashiSongramMontazur Rahman Akbar
Ki Prem DekhailaSamiShah Mohammad Songram
Inchi Inchi PremShuvoRaju Chowdhury
2014Ki Darun DekhteAponWajed Ali Sumon
Dobir Saheber SongsarKuddusJakir Hossain Raju
HoneymoonRushoShafi Uddin Shafi
I Don't CareSurjoMohammad Hossain Jaimy
Love StationNibirShahadat Hossain Liton
Onek Sadher MoynaMotiJakir Hossain Raju
2015Gunda: The TerroristJibonIspahani Arif Jahan
Lover Number OneBadshahFaruk Omar
Ajob PremRafiWajed Ali Sumon
Epar OparShimulDelwar Jahan Jhantu
2016SweetheartZishanWajed Ali Sumon
Onek Dame KenaJakir Hossain Raju
Baje Chele: The LoaferReshad ChowdhuryMonirul Islam Sohel & Rahim Babu
One WayEmonIftakar Chowdhury[34]
Ami Tomar Hote ChaiAbirAnonno Mamun[16]
2017Koto Swapno Koto AshaJibonWakil Ahmed
Missed CallRomanShafi Uddin Shafi
Sultana BibianaSultanHimel Ashraf[20]
Dulabhai ZindabadSagorMontazur Rahman Akbar
Apon ManushRobiShah Alam Mondal[18]
2018Poloke Poloke Tomake ChaiTamimS.M. Shahnawaz Shanu
NayokAbhiIspahani Arif Jahan[22]
AsmaniAzad / AsmanM. Shakhawat Hossain
2019Daag HridoyeShohagTarek Shikder[24]
PaglamiPremKomol Sarkar[25]
DongiriShah Alam Mondal[23]
2020Priyo KomolaPriyoShahriar Nazim Joy[3]
2022Shoshurbari Zindabad 2AbirDebashish Biswas[26]
2023Joy BanglaKazi Hayat[28]
ShotruDurjoySumon Dhar
2024Danger Zone †Belal Sani
2025Kustigir †Shaheen Sumon[28]
TBA570 †Ashraf Shishir[3]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardsCategoryFilmResult
2013Freelancer RubelFirst Stage Nomination for Best Film Actor[11]Onnorokom Bhalobasha
Second Stage Nomination for Best Film Actor[12]Prem Prem Paglaami
Third Stage Nomination for Best Film Actor[13]Tobou Bhalobashi
2021Dhallywood Film and Music AwardsBest Actor[37]
202320th Tele Cine Awards KolkataSpecial[38]

References

  1. ^ "Happy birthday, Bappy Chowdhury". Daily Sun (Bangladesh). December 2017.
  2. ^ "11 years of Bappy Chowdhury". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). 19 October 2023.
  3. ^ "I aspire to play experimental characters: Bappy Chowdhury". New Age. 12 February 2022.
  4. ^ Siddique, Habibullah (2022-06-19). "I want to obey my father till my last breath: Bappy Chowdhury". The Business Standard. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  5. ^ "Bappy Chowdhury's mother passes away". The Daily Star. 2024-03-05. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  6. ^ "হিন্দু হলেও আল্লাহকে বিশ্বাস করি: বাপ্পি" (in en-USbn). Ukhiya News. 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  7. ^ "ধর্মে হিন্দু হয়েও 'কোরবানি' দিলেন চিত্রনায়ক বাপ্পি" (in Bengali). Dhaka Mail. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  8. ^ "ধর্ম পরিবর্তন নিয়ে যা বললেন বাপ্পী" (in Bengali). Somoy News. 2024-02-07. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  9. ^ "নতুন পরিচয়ে হাজির হচ্ছেন বাপ্পি | দৈনিক আজাদী". Dainik Azadi. 2018-10-15. Archived 15 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  10. ^ "And the next Dhallywood queen is...". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  11. ^ "bn:মেরিল-প্রথম আলো পুরস্কার ২০১৩ প্রথম পর্বে মনোনয়ন পেলেন যঁারা" [Those who were nominated in the first round of Meril-Prothom Alo Award 2013] (in Bengali). Prothom Alo. p. 24.
  12. ^ "bn:মেরিল-প্রথম আলো পুরস্কার ২০১৩ দ্বিতীয় পর্বে মনোনয়ন পেলেন যঁারা" [Those who were nominated in the second round of Meril-Prothom Alo Award 2013] (in Bengali). Prothom Alo. p. 23.
  13. ^ "bn:মেরিল-প্রথম আলো পুরস্কার ২০১৩ তৃতীয় পর্বে মনোনয়ন পেলেন যঁারা" [Those who were nominated in the third round of Meril-Prothom Alo Award 2013] (in Bengali). Prothom Alo. p. 24. Archived from the original on 18 May 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  14. ^ Manjur, Al Mahdud (12 January 2016). "Achol leaves Dhallywood". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  15. ^ "Indian artists get more preference – Bappi Chowdhury". The Daily Star. 21 November 2015. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  16. ^ "A year on the silver screen". The Daily Star. 1 January 2017.
  17. ^ "Ami Tomar Hote Chai". The Daily Star. 24 December 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  18. ^ "Bappi to Star in Two Upcoming Films". The Daily Star. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  19. ^ Shahnewaz, Sadi Mohammad & Zahin, Araf (2017-05-27). "The New Sultan". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  20. ^ "'I reaped the reward of six years of waiting': Himel Ashraf". The Business Standard. July 20, 2023. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  21. ^ ""I am drawn to out of the box characters"". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). 10 June 2018.
  22. ^ Nomrota Mazumder, Joana (2018-11-10). "Nayok hits the home run!". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  23. ^ Islam, Jahed (2019-10-29). "Bappy-starrer Dongiri gets huge response". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  24. ^ Shazu, Shah Alam (2019-02-16). "Bappy Chowdhury talks about 'Daag Hridoye'". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  25. ^ Heemel, Shahrear Kabir (2019-09-23). "Bappy's Paglami creates craze". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  26. ^ "যেসব হলে মুক্তি পেল 'শ্বশুরবাড়ি জিন্দাবাদ ২'" (in Bengali). Banglanews24.com. 11 February 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  27. ^ Ahsan, Sohel (2023-01-10). "Audiences are not going to the cinema: Kazi Hayat". The Business Standard. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  28. ^ Shazu, Shah Alam & Amin, Rafsana (18 December 2021). "Zahara Mitu's dreams on the silver screen". The Daily Star
  29. ^ Islam, Jahidul (2024-12-11). "I'm not disappointed at all: Bappy Chowdhury". The Daily Sun. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  30. ^ "Three films hit cinemas this weekend, which will dominate cineplexes?". The Daily Star. 2024-12-13. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  31. ^ "570: Film on Bangbandhu's assassination gets censor board clearance". The Daily Star. 2024-02-16. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  32. ^ "Bappy hopes to play diverse characters". New Age BD. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  33. ^ Shazu, Shah Alam (2019-06-26). "I have refused five films for Dhaka 2040". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  34. ^ "ঈদে বাপ্পির হ্যাটট্রিক" (in Bengali). Bangla News 24. 2016-08-20. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  35. ^ "On Life & Experiences". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). 2 June 2021.
  36. ^ "Film stars to take pay cuts to help industry". The Business Standard. 2020-06-18. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  37. ^ "Shakib Khan, Bappy, Mim, and Bubly win big at Dhallywood Film & Music Awards 2021". The Daily Star. 2021-12-05. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  38. ^ "Afzal Hossain, Chanchal Chowdhury, Bappa Mazumder honoured". Prothom Alo. 2023-06-06. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
  39. ^ jagonews24.com. "শুভ জন্মদিন শাহীন সুমন". jagonews24.com. Retrieved 2023-02-10.