No one like Mosharraf Karim can be born in this country: Chanchal Chowdhury

For more than two decades, Chanchal Chowdhury and Mosharraf Karim have shared a journey shaped by theatre, struggle, friendship, and an unwavering love for acting. 

Today, they are regarded as two of Bangladesh’s most celebrated actors, admired not only for their extraordinary performances but also for the enduring bond they have maintained through the years.

Long before fame found them, the two actors were young dreamers from rural Bangladesh, one from a village in Pabna District and the other from Barishal, trying to build a life in Dhaka while holding tightly to their passion for theatre. To support themselves, both worked as teachers, yet neither ever drifted away from the stage.

Over the years, their paths crossed repeatedly through memorable works like “Vober Hat” and “Harkipte”, before they reunited on the big screen in Television and later in “Bonolota Express”.

In a heartfelt conversation with The Daily Star, Chanchal Chowdhury reflected on his decades-long friendship with Mosharraf Karim, sharing memories of their early struggles, theatre days, and the journey that transformed them into two of the country’s most beloved actors.

“I was born and raised in a village. My village is Kamarhat in Pabna District. Mosharraf Karim was also born in a village, in Barishal. He started his journey through theatre, and so did I. At one point, Mosharraf Karim worked as a teacher, and I taught as well,” Chanchal said.

“Mosharraf Karim is successful in every sense. He has succeeded across all mediums of acting, and that is no easy feat. He had the talent, he worked tirelessly, did theatre, and eventually reached this position. This was not a journey of one or two years. He has spent years dedicating himself to acting. It’s impossible for another Mosharraf Karim to be born in this country.” 

Chanchal also reflected on how closely their lives mirrored each other in their early years. “There is a river near Mosharraf Karim’s home, and there is a river near mine too. Both of us grew up swimming in rivers. At one point, we were boys from the riverbanks. That is where our journey began, and even today we are still walking the same path.”

He also reflected on the legacy of Mosharraf Karim. “Mosharraf Karim is now one of the country’s leading actors. This did not happen overnight. He learned through years of theatre work, and I did the same. We have countless memories at Mahila Samity and Guide House.

Back then, Mosharraf Karim was part of Natyakendra, while I worked with Aranyak Natya Dal. Whenever his group staged a play, we would go together to watch it, and they would come to ours as well. In those days, theatre people did these things purely out of love.”
Recalling their early days in Dhaka, Chanchal said both of them struggled while trying to pursue acting. 

“At one point, both of us came to Dhaka from our villages. Mosharraf Karim used to teach at a coaching center in the city, and I also taught at UODA. We both have students. But neither of us ever left theatre behind. We continued doing theatre with immense passion.”

“There’s a saying that sometimes the journey itself leads you to the destination. Both of us stepped onto the path of acting, and that path has brought us this far. I never imagined I would become an actor. I was a fine arts student. Mosharraf Karim was also a very good student. His dedication has brought him to where he is today,” he shared. 

“I know the story of how Mosharraf Karim became who he is, and he knows the story of how I became Chanchal Chowdhury. Becoming the Mosharraf Karim of today required years of hard work and devotion. That dedication brought him to this position.”

Chanchal also opened up about the memories they shared during shoots in Pubail, Gazipur. “In Pubail, in Gazipur District, there was a tin-roofed house with one large room and three wooden cots. Akhomo Hasan, Shamim Zaman, Mosharraf Karim, and I would return after shooting and sleep there together. After work, we would spend the whole night chatting. So many memories come rushing back. On freezing winter nights, we talked for hours. Wherever Mosharraf Karim is, he can instantly bring life to an adda.”

Back then, the actors frequently worked in dramas directed by Salahuddin Lavlu.

“Neither Mosharraf Karim nor I had started married life yet, which is why even after our shoots ended, we would stay back just to spend time together,” Chanchal recalled.“Our journey together in television dramas began with ‘Vober Hat’, written by Masum Reza. We shot the drama at Khatib Farm House in Hotapara, Gazipur. During breaks, whether under the blazing sun or pouring rain, Mosharraf Karim and I would run off to play football. Even in heavy rain, we played football. Later in the evenings, we played badminton after shooting wrapped.

The joyful times Mosharraf Karim and I spent together cannot truly be put into words.”

Chanchal also revisited memories of “Harkipte”, which became hugely popular with audiences. “‘Harkipte’ became hugely popular. It was directed by Salauddin Lavlu, and we shot it in Pubail, Gazipur. It was the last television series we worked on together. We spent days there shooting, staying together, and enjoying every moment. Those were some of the best times of our lives.”

Reflecting on Mosharraf Karim’s rise to fame, Chanchal said he witnessed his friend’s journey from the very beginning. “Today, everyone in the country knows Mosharraf Karim. He is also very popular in Kolkata. Bangladeshis living around the world know him well too. I have witnessed his journey up close, from the days when neither of us had yet become actors.”

The actor also recalled working with Mosharraf Karim in Television and later reuniting in “Bonolota Express”. “Mosharraf Karim and I first appeared together on the big screen in ‘Television’, directed by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki. Many years later, we reunited in ‘Bonolota Express’. In that film, he delivered one of the finest performances of his career. Sometimes certain actors create something unforgettable, and Mosharraf Karim certainly did that.”

Despite their busy schedules, Chanchal said their friendship remains unchanged even today. “A few days ago, I arranged a gathering at my home with some close friends and told Mosharraf Karim, ‘You have to come.’ That night, he arrived with his wife, and the adda became wonderful. Before long, Mosharraf Karim became the center of attention. He is the heart of acting, and he is also the heart of every adda. Wherever he sits to chat, everyone listens to him in fascination.”

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From the very beginning, their paths have always been the same. “Neither of us has done anything besides acting. Acting is what we love. Sometimes I think — it may truly be impossible for another Mosharraf Karim to be born in this country.”