Renowned Bengali actor Chanchal Chowdhury, celebrated for his versatile performances in theatre and cinema, is set to reveal yet another facet of his artistic talent: playback singing. Chowdhury is making his singing debut in Tollywood with Bratya Basu’s upcoming film Shekhar, marking a significant milestone in his long and distinguished career.
Friends Communication, the film’s production house, announced on social media that Chanchal has already recorded two songs for the project, composed by Prabuddha Bandyopadhyay. Behind-the-scenes glimpses suggest that he approached the recordings with the same meticulous dedication that has defined his acting career. A production spokesperson commented, “Shekhar is a timeless, imaginative love story, and Chanchal’s debut as a playback singer adds an exciting new dimension to Tollywood.”
Chowdhury himself described the tracks as modern interpretations of traditional Baul songs. The first is a reimagining of Bijoy Govinda’s “Ei Prithibi Jemon Ache Temoni Thik Thakbe,” while the second is a rendition of Goswami Gopal Das’s “O Jibon Re Chhariya Na Jao.” Reflecting on his decision to sing for the film, Chanchal said, “While shooting, I felt that these songs would deepen the emotional resonance of the story. The director immediately supported my desire to perform them myself.”
On screen, Chanchal plays Indra, a factory worker grappling with his father’s fading memory. Drawing from personal family experiences, he has imbued the character with a profound authenticity, heightening the emotional realism of his performance.
Filming for Shekhar concluded in October of last year. The ensemble cast includes Loknath De, Seema Biswas, Ambarish Bhattacharya, Riddhi Sen, Angana Roy, and Anusua Majumdar. This marks Chanchal’s first collaboration with Bratya Basu, known for directing films such as Dictionary and Habba. The movie is slated for release in 2026.
Key Film Details
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Title | Shekhar |
| Director | Bratya Basu |
| Production | Friends Communication |
| Music Director | Prabuddha Bandyopadhyay |
| Playback Singer | Chanchal Chowdhury |
| Lead Actor | Chanchal Chowdhury |
| Supporting Cast | Loknath De, Seema Biswas, Ambarish Bhattacharya, Riddhi Sen, Angana Roy, Anusua Majumdar |
| Source Literature | Drabhomir Kashibas & Dadu by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay |
| Expected Release | 2026 |
With its poignant narrative, melodious soundtrack, and Chanchal Chowdhury’s dual showcase of acting and singing, Shekhar is poised to become a landmark cultural event in Tollywood next year, promising audiences a rich and immersive cinematic experience.
