Amitabh Reza Chowdhury

{{Infobox person

| name = Amitabh Reza Chowdhury

| native_name = অমিতাভ রেজা চৌধুরী

| image = Amitabh Reza in January 2023.jpg

| caption = Chowdhury in 2023

| spouse = {{Plainlist |

Nowrin Hasan Khan Jenny (divorced)
Zakia Rashid Meem (divorced)

}}

| occupation = Filmmaker

| yearsactive = 2001–present

}}

Amitabh Reza Chowdhury is a Bangladeshi filmmaker. In his career, he has directed nearly fifteen hundred (1500) television commercials (henceforth TVCs).{{Cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/showbiz/news/amitabh-reza-1793161 |title=Amitabh Reza |date=2019-08-31 |work=The Daily Star |language=en |access-date=2019-10-03}}{{cite news |url=http://newagebd.net/107365/amitabh-reza-debuts-as-film-director/#sthash.aAmutxHx.uBuQvS8v.dpbs |title=Amitabh Reza debuts as film director |work=New Age |accessdate=2015-08-20}} Amitabh has also directed a few television films to critical acclaim. He founded the production house 'half stop down', which mainly produces TVCs. Amitabh's directorial debut in theatrical feature film is Aynabaji which was released on 30 September 2016.{{Cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/arts-entertainment/news/conversations-over-coffee-team-money-honey-1804882 |title=Conversations over coffee with team Money Honey |date=2019-09-25 |work=The Daily Star |language=en |access-date=2019-10-03}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/showbiz/deshi-grapevine/news/documentary-bangabandhu-1802305 |title=A documentary on Bangabandhu |date=2019-09-21 |work=The Daily Star |language=en |access-date=2019-10-03}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/showtime/2019/08/25/poster-of-amitabh-reza-s-rickshaw-girl-released |title=Poster of Amitabh Reza's Rickshaw Girl released |date=2019-08-25 |work=Dhaka Tribune |access-date=2019-10-03}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/arts-entertainment/interview/news/amitabh-reza-chowdhury-digital-content-1670116 |title=Amitabh Reza Chowdhury on digital content |date=2018-12-07 |work=The Daily Star |language=en |access-date=2019-10-03}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/showtime/2019/04/08/trailer-of-dhaka-metro-unveiled |title=Trailer of 'Dhaka Metro' unveiled |date=2019-04-08 |work=Dhaka Tribune |access-date=2019-10-03}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/showtime/2018/11/15/amitabh-reza-s-short-films-set-to-premiere-on-iflix |title=Amitabh Reza's short films set to premiere on Iflix |date=2018-11-15 |work=Dhaka Tribune |access-date=2019-10-03}}{{excessive citations inline|date=October 2024}}

Early life

Chowdhury was born to a middle-class family in 1976. His hometown is Kishorganj, Bangladesh. He passed his HSC from BAF Shaheen College Dhaka.{{cite news |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/campus/2011/03/01/chat.htm |title=::: Star Campus ::: |work=The Daily Star |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605033137/https://archive.thedailystar.net/campus/2011/03/01/chat.htm |archive-date=5 June 2024 |date=6 March 2011}} He went to Pune, India to study economics. While there, he studied literature on his own to aid his dream about making films.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

Career

After returning to Bangladesh, Chowdhury made a television film named Hawa Ghar (1999) under Maasranga Production which gained popularity. After Hawa Ghar he directed the first 20-episodes of the TV series Bondhon (2001-2002) under Maasranga Production. Following the success of Hawa Ghar and Bondhon, he received offers from agencies to make television commercials. He is now one of the leading directors of TVCs in Bangladesh. A number of his productions have been screened in other countries as well.{{cite news |url=http://news.priyo.com/people/amitabh-reza |title=Amitabh Reza |work=priyo.com |accessdate=2015-08-20 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002184238/http://news.priyo.com/people/amitabh-reza |archivedate=2015-10-02}}{{cite news |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/2007/01/26/d701261402100.htm |title=Amitabh Reza: Ad-maker with an eye on filmdom |work=The Daily Star |accessdate=2015-08-20}} He, his sister Mahjabin Reza and Md Assaduzzaman are owners of the production company "Half Stop Down". Under his production house he made more than 12 television films, followed by his first theatrical feature film. He has also worked as adjunct faculty in the Television, Film & Photography Department of the University of Dhaka.{{cite news |url=https://www.ntvbd.com/education/143041/%E0%A6%A2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B7%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AD-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE |script-title=bn:ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের শিক্ষক হলেন অমিতাভ রেজা |work=NTV |language=bn |accessdate=2019-01-02}}

Personal life

Chowdhury married Bangladeshi actress Nowrin Jahan Khan Jenny in his early life, but the marriage did not last for long. After 4 years, they separated and Amitabh married Mim Rashid, the younger sister of singer Mithila and ex-sister-in-law of Tahsan. Reza and Mim divorced in 2017. {{cite news |url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/documentary-film-awarded |title=Documentary film awarded |work=bdnews24.com |date=20 May 2014 |accessdate=2015-08-20}}

Filmography

Chowdhury's debut film as a director was Aynabaji (2016).{{cite news |url=http://www.dainikpurbokone.net/17672/%E0%A6%86%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%9A%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%87/ |script-title=bn:আয়নাবাজি চলচ্চিত্র নিয়ে অমিতাভ রেজা - দৈনিক পূর্বকোণ |work=Dainik Purkobone |language=bn |accessdate=2015-08-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923212415/http://www.dainikpurbokone.net/17672/%E0%A6%86%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%9A%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%87/ |archive-date=2015-09-23 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyinqilab.com/details/1793/%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AD-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E2%80%99%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A5%E0%A6%AE-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%9A%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%86%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BF |script-title=bn:অমিতাভ রেজা'র প্রথম চলচ্চিত্র আয়নাবাজি |work=The Daily Inqilab |language=bn |accessdate=2015-08-20}}{{cite news |url=http://www.priyo.com/2015/Aug/16/162395-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AD-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%93-%E0%A6%86%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BF |script-title=bn:সেলফিতে অমিতাভ রেজা ও 'আয়নাবাজি' |work=priyo.com |language=bn |accessdate=2015-08-20}}{{cite news |url=http://www.bdmorning.com/entertainment/4676 |script-title=bn:"আয়নাবাজি" দিয়ে চলচ্চিত্রে পার্থ বড়ুয়া |work=BD Morning |language=bn |accessdate=2015-08-20}}{{excessive citations inline|date=October 2024}} The film was a major success in the box office, and it was screened in movie halls across the country for next few months. However, it was not profitable for the producer.{{cite news |url=http://www.banglatribune.com/entertainment/news/288897/%E2%80%98%E0%A6%86%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BF%E2%80%99-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%A7%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%96%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%9C%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AD-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE |script-title=bn:'আয়নাবাজি' করে আমি ধ্বংসের মুখে পড়েছি: অমিতাভ রেজা |work=Bangla Tribune |language=bn |accessdate=2019-01-02}} His upcoming films include "Rickshaw Girl" and "Punorujjibon".{{cite news |url=https://www.manobkantha.com/%E0%A6%86%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AD-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE/ |script-title=bn:আয়নাবাজির পর অমিতাভ রেজা 'পুনরুজ্জীবন' |work=The Manobkantha |language=bn |accessdate=2019-01-02}} Aynabaji was screened at Marché du Film at 69th annual Cannes Film Festival, where it scored well. Aynabaji has won the award of the best film at the United States' 11th Seattle South Asian Film

Festival.{{cite news |url=http://www.theindependentbd.com/home/printnews/65399 |title='Aynabaji' wins best film award at Seattle festival |work=The Independent |location=Dhaka |accessdate=2019-01-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102094952/http://www.theindependentbd.com/home/printnews/65399 |archive-date=2 January 2019}} His next film was Munshigiri, released digitally by Chorki in 2021.{{cite news |last=Mahmud |first=Rashel |access-date=20 January 2021 |title=People will invariably have good and bad things to say : Purnima |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/entertainment/people-will-invariably-have-good-and-bad-things-to-say-purnima |work=Prothom Alo}}

=Films=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
scope="col" \|Title ! scope="col" \|Year ! Director ! Producer ! Screenwriter ! scope="col" class="unsortable"\| Notes
scope="row"\| Hawa Ghar \| style="text-align:center;"\|1999 \| {{yes}} \| {{yes}} \| {{yes}} \|
scope="row"\| Aynabaji \| style="text-align:center;"\|2016 \| {{yes}} \| {{yes}} \| {{yes}} \|
scope="row"\| Munshigiri \| style="text-align:center;"\|2021 \| {{yes}} \| {{yes}} \| {{yes}} \|
scope="row"\| Rickshaw Girl \| style="text-align:center;"\|2025 \| {{yes}} \| {{yes}} \| {{yes}} \|

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

scope="col" |Title

! scope="col" |Year

! Director

! Producer

! Screenwriter

! scope="col" class="unsortable"| Notes

scope="row"| Hawa Ghar

| style="text-align:center;"|1999

| {{yes}}

scope="row"| Aynabaji

| style="text-align:center;"|2016

| {{yes}}

scope="row"| Munshigiri

| style="text-align:center;"|2021

| {{yes}}

scope="row"| Rickshaw Girl

| style="text-align:center;"|2025

| {{yes}}

=TV and web series=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
scope="col" \|Title ! scope="col" \|Year ! Director ! Producer ! Screenwriter ! scope="col" class="unsortable"\| Notes !{{Abbr\|Ref.\|References}}
scope="row"\| Bondhon \| style="text-align:center;"\|2001-2002 \| {{yes}} \| {{yes}} \| {{yes}} \| rowspan="2" \|released on Hoichoi \|
scope="row"\| Dhaka Metro (2019 TV series) \| style="text-align:center;"\|2016 \| {{yes}} \| {{yes}} \| {{yes}} \|
scope="row"\| Bodh \| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \|2022 \| {{yes}} \| {{yes}} \| {{yes}} \| \|
scope="row"\|Shon Shon \|{{Yes}} \|{{Yes}} \|{{Yes}} \|A Binge Webfilm \|{{Citation \|title=Shon Shon {{!}} Releases on 29 Sept {{!}} A Binge Original \|date=26 September 2022 \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ424C7WqXQ \|access-date=2023-07-21 \|language=en}}

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

scope="col" |Title

! scope="col" |Year

! Director

! Producer

! Screenwriter

! scope="col" class="unsortable"| Notes

!{{Abbr|Ref.|References}}

scope="row"| Bondhon

| style="text-align:center;"|2001-2002

| {{yes}}

| rowspan="2" |released on Hoichoi

scope="row"| Dhaka Metro (2019 TV series)

| style="text-align:center;"|2016

| {{yes}}

scope="row"| Bodh

| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |2022

| {{yes}}

scope="row"|Shon Shon

|{{Yes}}

|A Binge Webfilm

|{{Citation |title=Shon Shon {{!}} Releases on 29 Sept {{!}} A Binge Original |date=26 September 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ424C7WqXQ |access-date=2023-07-21 |language=en}}

Jury Board Member

Amitabh Reza Chowdhury has been a distinguished jury member at several prestigious film festivals, offering his insight and expertise to support new talents in the film industry.

Dhaka International Mobile Film Festival (DIMFF): In 2021, Chowdhury was invited to be a jury member for the 7th Dhaka International Mobile Film Festival. This festival highlights films shot entirely on mobile devices, fostering creativity and innovation in digital filmmaking.{{Cite news |date=2024-10-20 |title=DIMFF jury announced |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/showtime/235406/dimff-jury-announced |access-date=2024-10-20 |work=Dhaka Tribune |language=en-US}}
11th International Children's Film Festival (2018): Chowdhury served on the jury for the 11th International Children's Film Festival. His role involved evaluating films that cater to young audiences, promoting the importance of children’s cinema in inspiring and educating the next generation.{{Cite news |date=2024-10-20 |title=11th International Children's Film Festival: Future in frames |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/showtime/137300/11th-international-children-s-film-festival |access-date=2024-10-20 |work=Dhaka Tribune |language=en-US}}
JU Independent Film Festival: In 2022, Chowdhury was selected as a jury member at the Jahangirnagar University Independent Film Festival. This festival celebrates independent films and provides a platform for up-and-coming filmmakers to showcase their work.{{Cite news |date=2024-10-20 |title=Independent film fest under way at JU |url=https://www.newagebd.net/article/173004/independent-film-fest-under-way-at-ju |access-date=2024-10-20 |work=New Age |language=en}}
Sylhet Film Festival: Amitabh Reza Chowdhury was also a member of the jury at the 4th Sylhet Film Festival in 2020. His role in this festival focused on reviewing and recognizing films from a diverse range of genres, contributing to the growth of new filmmakers in Bangladesh.

Recognition and awards

Chowdhury received a number of national and international awards for his work. He was awarded with the Meril-Prothom Alo Best Film Director Award in 2017. He also received the Best Film Award in Seattle South Asian Film Festival in 2016 for Aynabaji.{{cite news |title='Aynabaji' bags best film award at Seattle |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/arts-entertainment/film/%E2%80%9Caynabaji%E2%80%9D-bags-best-film-award-seattle-1303663 |work=The Daily Star |date=25 October 2016}}{{cite news |url=https://www.daily-sun.com/post/178059/Aynabaji%E2%80%9A%C3%84%C3%B4-achieves-best-film-award-in-Seattle |title='Aynabaji' achieves best film award in Seattle |work=Daily Sun |date=October 2016}}

= [[National Film Awards (Bangladesh)|National Film Award]] =

Best Director (2016): Chowdhury received the prestigious National Film Award for Best Director for his work on the film Aynabaji, which earned critical and commercial success.{{Cite news |date=2018-04-06 |title=National Film Award winners announced |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/national-film-award-winners-announced-1558849 |access-date=2024-10-20 |work=The Daily Star |agency=UNB |language=en}}

= [[Meril-Prothom Alo Awards|Meril Prothom Alo Awards]] =

Best Director (TV) 2008: Chowdhury was recognized as the Best Director in the television category for his exceptional work on television dramas.{{Cite news |title=21 Anniversary Supplement |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2012/anniversary_2012/section1/13.htm |access-date=2024-10-20 |work=The Daily Star}}
Best Screenplay Writer (TV) 2008: He also received the award for Best Screenplay Writer in television during the same year.
Best TV Drama Director (Critics Award) 2014: In 2014, he won the Critics Award for Best TV Drama Director, acknowledging his outstanding direction in television dramas.{{Cite news |date=2015-05-09 |title=Meril Prothom Alo Awards Gala Night |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/entertainment/Meril-Prothom-Alo-Awards-Gala-Night |access-date=2024-10-20 |work=Prothom Alo |language=en}}
Best Film Director (Critics Award) 2016: Amitabh Reza Chowdhury was honored with the Critics Award for Best Film Director for his film Aynabaji at the Meril Prothom Alo Awards.{{Cite news |date=2017-04-22 |title=Meril-Prothom Alo Puroshkar-2016 conferred |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/entertainment/Meril-Prothom-Alo-Puroshkar-conferred |access-date=2024-10-20 |work=Prothom Alo |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2017-04-24 |title=Meril-Prothom Alo awards the best in TV and film |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/arts-entertainment/event/meril-prothom-alo-awards-the-best-tv-and-film-1395358 |access-date=2024-10-20 |work=The Daily Star |language=en}}

References

{{Meril Prothom Alo Critics Choice Awards for Best Film Director}}

Category:Living people

Category:People from Dhaka

Category:Bangladeshi filmmakers

Category:Best Director National Film Award (Bangladesh) winners

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:BAF Shaheen College Dhaka alumni

Category:Best Film Directing Meril-Prothom Alo Critics Choice Award winners