Chanchal Chowdhury is one of the talented and busiest actors on small screen at present. His performance as Fiza Master in the mega serial Bhober Haat has cemented his popularity among a wide range of audience. Though this character has provided him with instant recognition, according to Chanchal, it was the Grameenphone TV commercial Ma, which launched his career.

Apart from Bhober Haat, the actor has worked in several other TV plays. Among them Bangsher Bati, Goruchor and Warren — single episode plays directed by Salahuddin Lavlu; Etimkhana, Swapner Bilat directed by Giasuddin Selim and Mamunur Rashid’s Nurunnahar, another single episode play, are notable.

Chanchal is currently working in Giasuddin Selim’s film Monpura. This will be his second appearance on the silver screen. Upcoming TV serials include Shakin Sari-suri, directed by Salahuddin Lavlu. The serial will be aired on Channel-i (on the same slot) after Bhober Haat ends, says Chanchal. He is also working with Lavlu in another mega serial Ghor Kutum.

The busy actor will be also be seen in Eid-special TV plays.

“I constantly mull over every character I’m working on or am supposed to play. I want to add different dimensions in the characters and I like to experiment,” says a confident Chanchal. He adds, “Attaining fame can be tough but maintaining it is even tougher.”

Asked about his preference in roles, Chanchal says, “To me every character I play is equally important and challenging.”

In 2005, the promising actor received a Meril-Prothom Alo Award for ‘best model’ (for the Ma ad). In 2006, he won another Meril-Prothom Alo Award; this time as the ‘best actor’, for his performance (Chanchal’s debut in films) in Tauquir Ahmed’s Rupkathar Golpo.

Born and raised in Pabna, Chanchal was a second year student of Institute of Fine Arts (IFA) when he jointed Aranyak Natyadol. He completed his honours and masters from IFA. After completing masters he jointed CODA/SODA/UODA as a teacher. As he became busier on stage and TV, he could not continue teaching fulltime.

Chanchal plays a key role, called ‘Laley’, in Aronyak’s popular production Shangkranti. In Che-er Cycle (a Bangla Theatre production), he plays six different characters including those of Fidel Castro and a peace-loving young boy, Shubhro — demonstrating his versatility. Chanchal considers his performance in Che-er Cycle as one of his best works on stage so far.

On his contemporaries, the actor says, “Several artistes are doing well. Among them, A.K.M Hasan, Mosharraf Karim, Shamim Zaman, Anisur Rahman Milon, Tisha, Chandni and Richi Solaiman have done some impressive works.”

Chanchal says that performing in front of the camera is relatively easy for him, thanks to his experience on stage. He adds, “Acting in films is more challenging than TV plays because of its duration and format.”

Though at present the IFA graduate cannot make time for brush and canvas, he would like to pursue painting in future.
(Interviews by Jamil Mahmud)