Ilias Kanchan

Ilias Kanchan
ইলিয়াস কাঞ্চন
Kanchan in 2018
Chairman of Janata Party Bangladesh
Assumed office
25 March 2025
Secretary GeneralShaukat Mahmood
Preceded byoffice established
Personal details
Born (1956-12-24) 24 December 1956
Spouses
Alma materUniversity of Dhaka
OccupationActor, activist, politician

Idris Ali (born 24 December 1956),[1] known by his stage name Ilias Kanchan,[2] is a Bangladeshi actor and activist. He appeared in more than 300 films.[3] He earned the Bangladesh National Film Award for Lifetime Achievement (2021), the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Actor for his role in the film Parineeta (1986), and Best Supporting Actor for Shasti (2005).[4] He is a road safety activist in Bangladesh.[5][6] He was awarded Ekushey Padak for his social service by the government of Bangladesh in 2018.[7] He was the former president of the Bangladesh Film Artists' Association, the organisation of local film artists.[8]

Debuting with the 1977 film Bosundhora, he was unsuccessful in finding himself a lead actor and had to star as a supporting character in films. He eventually rose to prominence and established himself as one of the top stars of the film industry in mid 1980s with films.

In the 1990s, he became a box office sensation as he starred in the highest-grossing film in Bangladesh till 2023. With this film he proved his worth as one of the top stars and continued to be successful with films.[3]

After 2000, he has mostly reduced his work in films. Nonetheless, his films continue to be successful, and he has retained his status as a lead actor with films. In the meantime, he has successfully established his road activists organization, Nirapad Sarak Chai, which he started in 1993, into a massive cause. His other humanitarian work includes giving free driving lessons to needy people, and setting up schools in his neighourhood.[9]

Early life

Kanchan was born in Ashutipara, Karimganj, Kishoreganj, to Abdul Ali and Shorufa Khatun. He completed his higher secondary degree from Kabi Nazrul Government College in 1975. He graduated from the University of Dhaka from the Department of Sociology.

Career

Kanchan debuted his acting career in 1977 through his performance in the film Bashundhara, directed by Subhash Dutta.[9] In 2015, he acted in a children's film, Ghuri, produced by Cinevision Bangladesh and written and directed by filmmaker Zafar Firoze.[10]

On 28 January 2022, Kanchan became the president of the Bangladesh Film Artists' Association for the 2022–24 term after getting 191 votes. His rival, Misha Sawdagor, got 148 votes.[8]

Personal life

Kanchan's first wife, Jahanara Kanchan, died in a road accident on 22 October 1993.[11][12][13] He himself survived a road accident in 1989.[14][15] He then established a social movement, Nirapad Sarak Chai (We Demand Safe Road). In 2017, the government of Bangladesh declared October 22 as the National Road Safety Day.[16][2] Together they had a daughter, Israt Jahan Ima, and a son, Mirajul Moin Joy. Kanchan later married actress Parveen Sultana Diti, which ended in divorce.[17]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1977 Bashundhara Zahed [9]
1978 Dumurer Phul
1979 Sundori Kanchan
Sikander Shamim
1980 Shesh Uttor Rahman
1981 Kalmilata Oli
1982 Nalish
Boro Barir Meye
1983 Mohona: The Mouth of a River
1984 Abhijan Ratan
1985 Tin Konya
Insaaf
1986 Hum Ek Hayn
Tauba
Parineeta Shekhar Roy [9]
Bishkonnar Prem
1987 Protirodh
Dayee Ke? Faruk
Sahajatri
1988 Adil
Hushiar
Zabardast
Bheja Chokh Jibon
1989 Bidhata
Durnam
Nikah
Beder Meye Josna Prince Shahjada Anwar [9]
Boner Moto Bon
1990 Ghor Amar Ghor
Apon Ghor
Shonkho Mala [18]
Shadhin Rubel [19]
Ankhi Milon Milon [9]
1991 Swashur Bari
Rajar Meye Bedeni
Nayjuddho
Bap Beta 420
Streer Paona Robin
Ochena Akash Ahmed
1992 Maa Mati Desh
Chakor
Radha Krishna Krishna
Beporowa Milon
Premer Protidaan
Sipahi
1993 Voyangkor Saat Din
1994 Golapi Ekhon Dhakay Oli
Commander Biplob
1995 Adorer Sontan Raju
1996 Swajan
1997 Ondho Bhalobasha
Doya Maya
Shei Toofan
Nirontor Dabir
Atto Biswas Servant
Sohrab Rustom Sohrab
Banasree
Body Guard
Bachar Lorai
Amma
2001 Chairman
2003 Ora Shahoshi
Kalu Gunda
Mone Rekho Prithibi
Munafik
Golaguli
Tyag
Shot Manush
Chorom Aghat
Ashol Paisha
Bod Sudrot
Ai Niye Songshar
Meyer Odhikar
Bhai Keno Ashami
Mohoth
Mukho Mukhi
2004 Shasti Dukhi Ram Rui
Gupto Ghatok
Ashami Greftar
Amar Adalot
Ochin Desher Rajkumar
Bashi Wala
I Love You
Gariyal Bhai
Shukher Ghore Dukher Agun
Ondho Bhalobasha
Shesh Uttar
Durjoy
2008 Baba Amar Baba Also director [20]
2010 Mayer Swapno Also director [20]
2015 Ghuri [10]
Epar Opar [20]
2016 Hothat Dekha [21]
2018 Bizli [22]
2023 Fire Dekha
2023 Netri - The Leader

Television

  • Obanchito
  • Charulota
  • Nijhum Aronno
  • Thandar kanddo
  • Bachar boro shadh cilo
  • Lal golap
  • Othocho
  • Tuccho
  • Second Innings (2014)[23]
  • Moronottom (2021)[3]
  • Boiwala (2022)[24]
  • Rupantor (2024)[25]

Awards

  • Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Actor (1986)
  • Bachsas Award
  • Zia Gold Award
  • Sher-e-Bangla Smriti Padak
  • Chalachitra Darshak Award
  • Bangladesh Journalist Welfare Association award
  • National Journalist Welfare Sangstha award
  • Dhaka City Corporation Nagar Padak
  • Nivetha Singapore Award
  • Voyage of America Award
  • Bangladesh Cultural Movement award
  • Dhaka Juba Foundation Award

References

  1. ^ শুভ জন্মদিন ইলিয়াস কাঞ্চন. dainiktarget.com (in Bengali). 2024-12-24. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  2. ^ a b "Guest Profile". Trityo Matra. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  3. ^ a b c Shazu, Shah Alam (2021-05-22). "Ilias Kanchan on career, regrets and current projects". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  4. ^ জাতীয় চলচ্চিত্র পুরস্কার প্রাপ্তদের নামের তালিকা (১৯৭৫–২০১২) [List of the winners of National Film Awards (1975-2012)]. Government of Bangladesh (in Bengali). Bangladesh Film Development Corporation. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  5. ^ "Form PM-led committee to address road safety: Ilias Kanchan". The Daily Star. 2014-10-22. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  6. ^ "Maintain speed limits to curb road accidents: Ilias Kanchan". The Daily Star. 2017-05-08. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  7. ^ "21 named for Ekushey Padak". The Daily Star. UNB. 2018-02-09. Retrieved 2018-08-02.
  8. ^ a b "Ilias Kanchan elected President, Zayed Khan General Secretary". The Daily Star. 2022-01-29. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Chowdhury, Abida Rahman (2018-10-19). "The hero on and off screen". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
  10. ^ a b ""Ghuri" marks return of Kanchan-Champa". The Daily Star. 9 February 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  11. ^ "These children are doing what we couldn't". The Daily Star. 2018-08-03. Retrieved 2018-08-03.
  12. ^ "No killer driver punished yet". The Daily Star. 2011-08-16. Archived from the original on 2018-08-03. Retrieved 2018-08-03.
  13. ^ "90pc driving licences obtained through unfair means". The Daily Star. 2004-12-05. Retrieved 2018-08-03.
  14. ^ "Death On The Asphalt". Star Weekend. 2007-09-05. Retrieved 2018-08-03.
  15. ^ Afroz, Mahmuda (2007-03-02). "Ilias Kanchan: An actor fighting for safe roads". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2018-01-01.
  16. ^ "October 22 to be Safe Roads Day". The Daily Star. 2017-06-06. Retrieved 2018-08-03.
  17. ^ Fahmim Ferdous (21 March 2016). "Actress Diti loses battle with cancer". The Daily Star. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  18. ^ "বাংলা চলচ্চিত্রের সালতামামি ১৯৯০: অর্ধেকের বেশি সিনেমা ব্যর্থ - বাংলা মুভি ডেটাবেজ" (in Bengali). Retrieved 2026-01-06.
  19. ^ "ইলিয়াস কাঞ্চন কে এবং কেন - বাংলা মুভি ডেটাবেজ" (in Bengali). Retrieved 2025-12-13.
  20. ^ a b c "Ilias Kanchan will make film again". The New Nation. 1 December 2015.
  21. ^ 'হঠাৎ দেখা'র উদ্বোধনী প্রদর্শনী আজ [The inaugural exhibition of 'Hothat Dekha' today]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 2 December 2016.
  22. ^ "Boby's superhero film Bijli in pipeline". New Age. 14 July 2017.
  23. ^ "Three sisters together". The New Nation. 15 March 2014.
  24. ^ "Ilias Kanchan's new drama 'Boiwala' airing today". The Business Standard. 9 April 2022.
  25. ^ "Ilias Kanchan returns to television". The Daily Star. 3 February 2024.