Ilias Kanchan
Bangladeshi actor and road safety activist
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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]
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- Jahanara Kanchan (died 1993)
- Parveen Sultana Diti (divorced)
Ilias Kanchan | |
|---|---|
ইলিয়াস কাঞ্চন | |
Kanchan in 2018 | |
| Chairman of Janata Party Bangladesh | |
| Assumed office 25 March 2025 | |
Secretary General | Shaukat Mahmood |
| Preceded by | office established |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 December 1956 Kishoreganj, East Pakistan, Pakistan |
| Spouses |
|
| University of Dhaka | |
| Occupation | Actor, activist, politician |
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 | Debut film | [9] |
| 1978 | Dumurer Phul | Hasan | [18] | |
| 1979 | Sundori | Kanchan | [18] | |
| 1980 | Shesh Uttar | Rahman | [18] | |
| 1981 | Bhalo Manush | Shawon | [18] | |
| Shakkhi | [18] | |||
| Kalmilata | Oli | [18] | ||
| 1982 | Nalish | |||
| Boro Barir Meye | ||||
| 1983 | Mohona: The Mouth of a River | |||
| Sikander | Shamim | |||
| 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 | [19] | |||
| Shadhin | Rubel | [20] | ||
| 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 | [21] | |
| 2010 | Mayer Swapno | Also director | [21] | |
| 2015 | Ghuri | [10] | ||
| Epar Opar | [21] | |||
| 2016 | Hothat Dekha | [22] | ||
| 2018 | Bizli | [23] | ||
| 2023 | Fire Dekha | |||
| 2023 | Netri - The Leader | |||
Television
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