Tota Roy Chowdhury
Tota Roy Chowdhury (born Pushparag Roy Chowdhury; 9 July 1976) is an Indian actor and martial artist predominantly active in Bengali cinema, with roles in Hindi and Tamil films.[1][2] Born in Kolkata, West Bengal, he attended Goethals Memorial School in Kurseong and graduated from St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, initially aspiring to join the Indian Army before pursuing acting.[2][3] Chowdhury debuted in the 1996 Bengali film Puja and gained breakthrough recognition for his performance in Chokher Bali (2003), directed by Rituparno Ghosh, which earned him the BFJA Award for Best Actor.[4][2] His versatile portrayals span genres, including a notable extended cameo in the Tamil action film Kaththi (2014) and the role of a Kathak dancer in Karan Johar's Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023), the latter revitalizing his career with widespread acclaim and a Surfers' Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor.[1][5][6] Known for his physical fitness and martial arts background, he has also portrayed the iconic detective Feluda in the web series Feluda Pherot.[1][7]Early life
Upbringing and education
Tota Roy Chowdhury, born Pushparag Roy Choudhury on 9 July 1976 in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, spent his early years in the city before attending boarding school.[7][1] He was educated at Goethals Memorial School in Kurseong, a institution administered by Irish-Catholic brothers known for its rigorous environment, where Chowdhury was instilled with strict discipline.[8] At the school, he participated actively in sports, representing the institution in football and earning recognition as the best athlete in his final year.[7] Chowdhury continued his studies at St. Xavier's College in Kolkata, graduating with a bachelor's degree.[7] During his second year there, he prepared for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examinations, reflecting an initial interest in a military career, but transitioned toward acting upon securing a role in a film directed by Prabhat Roy.[7]Career
Early career and entry into acting
Tota Roy Chowdhury entered the film industry with his debut in the 1993 Bengali romantic thriller Duranta Prem, directed by Prabhat Roy.[9] In this film, produced by Rathin Majumdar, he portrayed a lead role opposite model-turned-actress Miss Jojo, marking his initial foray into acting after expressing in later interviews that he initially approached cinema casually "for a lark."[6] The movie, which revolves around a couple's relationship tested by a prank leading to unintended consequences, provided Chowdhury his first on-screen experience in a narrative blending romance and tragedy.[10] Following Duranta Prem, Chowdhury took on supporting roles in several Bengali films during the mid-1990s, often cast as antagonistic or minor negative characters that typically met defeat, reflecting his early typecasting in the industry.[2] Notable among these were appearances in Prabhat Roy's National Award-winning drama Lathi (1996), where he played a supporting part in a story centered on rural vigilante justice, as well as Puja (1996) and Mukhyamantri (1996).[11] These roles, while not leading, allowed him to build experience in Bengali cinema, with the success of his debut reportedly attracting further offers and solidifying his decision to pursue acting professionally.[12] By the late 1990s, Chowdhury continued in this vein with films like Hotath Brishti (1998), where he played Basav, and multiple 1999 releases including Shudhu Ekbar Bolo, Sontan Jokhon Shotru (as Dipyendu "Dipu" Ray), and Gariber Samman (as Sumon), gradually expanding his repertoire amid the competitive landscape of Tollywood.[2] His persistence in these formative years, spanning over a decade before wider recognition, underscored a career trajectory rooted in consistent, albeit understated, contributions to Bengali storytelling.[11]Breakthrough in Bengali cinema
Tota Roy Chowdhury achieved his breakthrough in Bengali cinema with the role of Behari in Rituparno Ghosh's Chokher Bali (2003), an adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore's novel that won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali.[4] The film starred Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Binodini and Prosenjit Chatterjee as Mahendra, portraying complex interpersonal dynamics in early 20th-century Bengal, with Chowdhury's character serving as Mahendra's principled cousin and a moral counterpoint to the central triangle.[13] Chowdhury's portrayal of Behari was praised for its depth and restraint, marking a shift from his earlier minor roles and earning critical acclaim for capturing the character's quiet integrity amid emotional turmoil.[2] Despite the film's success, Chowdhury later noted periods of unemployment following its release, including six months without offers, highlighting the uneven opportunities in the industry even after a high-profile hit.[14] The role solidified Chowdhury's presence in Tollywood, leading to lead and supporting parts in subsequent Bengali films such as Shunya Eke Bukey (2005) and Angshumaner Chhobi (2009), where he explored diverse characters ranging from introspective protagonists to dramatic figures, gradually building a reputation for versatility within Bengali cinema.[15]Transition to Hindi cinema and pan-Indian projects
Roy Chowdhury's expansion into non-Bengali cinema commenced with supporting roles in South Indian films, notably portraying Vivek Banerjee in the Tamil action drama Kaththi (2014), directed by A. R. Murugadoss and starring Vijay.[16][17] He also appeared in the Tamil film Veeram (2014) and later in the Telugu action movie Vinaya Vidheya Rama (2019), marking his initial foray into pan-Indian projects beyond Bengali cinema.[18] His Hindi cinema debut occurred in Kahaani 2: Durga Rani Aur Shiri Farhad (2016), where he played the friend of the protagonist Durga Rani, providing a foothold in Bollywood after years of prominence in Bengali films.[19] Subsequent supporting roles included Peter Roy in the thriller TE3N (2016), Naveen Sarkar in the political drama Indu Sarkar (2017), and Arun Raiturkar in Helicopter Eela (2018).[20] These appearances, often in ensemble casts, showcased his adaptability to Hindi narratives while building visibility in mainstream productions.[21] By the early 2020s, Roy Chowdhury secured more substantial parts, including in The Girl on the Train (2021) and notably as Chandon Chatterjee, the husband of the lead character, in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway (2023), earning a Filmfare nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.[22] His portrayal of the authoritative Chittorba in Karan Johar's family entertainer Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023) further highlighted his integration into high-budget Hindi films with nationwide appeal, reflecting a deliberate shift toward versatile pan-Indian opportunities.[21][19]Recent developments and versatility
In 2023, Chowdhury described the year as the pinnacle of his career, attributing it to a surge in high-quality roles across Bengali and Hindi cinema, including his portrayal of the authoritative yet endearing Chandon Chatterjee in Karan Johar's Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, released on July 28.[23][24] This period also featured his lead as a formidable lawyer in the Hoichoi courtroom drama Jaha Bolibo Shotto Bolibo, which garnered positive reviews for its tense narrative and his commanding performance.[23] By 2024, he continued this momentum with roles in Bengali thrillers such as Chaalchitro: The Frame Fatale, a crime-mystery, and Tekka, directed by Srijit Mukherji and released on October 8, showcasing his involvement in genre-driven projects.[15][24] In web series, he reprised investigative roles in Nikhoj 2 and Feludar Goyendagiri: Bhuswargo Bhoyonkawr, extending his work in detective formats originally popularized by Satyajit Ray.[25] Chowdhury's versatility manifests in his adaptation across linguistic boundaries and mediums, from Bengali originals like the Feluda series—where he embodies the iconic detective with physical precision aided by his martial arts background—to Hindi ensemble casts and upcoming pan-Indian entries such as Black Warrant (January 10, 2025, directed by Vikramaditya Motwane) and a key role in Special Ops season 2.[26][21][27] This range spans thrillers, family dramas, and legal procedurals, with observers highlighting his spontaneous, nuanced delivery in contrasting archetypes, as seen in transitions from authoritative figures to introspective leads.[28][29] In September 2025, he was announced for Srijit Mukherji's period drama Emperor vs Sarat Chandra, co-starring Abir Chatterjee, further signaling his foray into historical narratives.[30]Personal life
Marriage and family
Tota Roy Chowdhury has been married to Sharmili Roy Choudhury since approximately 1999.[31][32] The couple marked their silver wedding anniversary with a celebration attended by industry figures in December 2024.[33] Their relationship originated during Durga Puja festivities, when Chowdhury proposed to Sharmili on Ashtami amid a boat ride, an event she later recalled as the moment she accepted.[34][35] The couple has one daughter, Mrigakshi Roy Choudhury.[36] Public details regarding extended family, including parents, remain limited in verified reports.[7]Fitness pursuits and martial arts background
Tota Roy Chowdhury holds a black belt in taekwondo and has practiced full-contact martial arts earlier in his life.[37][38] He later incorporated no-contact and soft-contact martial arts training for onscreen action sequences, renewing his engagement with the discipline during a personal weight loss effort in which he reduced from 96 kg to 72 kg over nine months by combining martial arts with walking, jogging, and cycling following an injury-induced depression.[39] For roles requiring physical authenticity, such as the honest cop Ranadip Roy in the 2019 film Agnishapath, he underwent five months of intensive training in taekwondo and karate to execute fight scenes credibly.[40] Chowdhury maintains a structured fitness regimen emphasizing functional strength, suppleness, and stamina, training six days a week starting at 7 a.m. with sessions lasting 40 to 90 minutes depending on shooting demands.[38] His weekly routine includes weight training twice for primal movements like horizontal pushes and vertical pulls using free weights with full-range motion and proper biomechanics; high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and multidirectional cardio twice; and yoga focusing on asanas twice, with Sundays reserved for football or rest.[39] He supplements this with recreational sports such as badminton and basketball, swims for relaxation, and draws inspiration from action stars like Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen, and Sylvester Stallone for their sustained physical dedication beyond age 50.[38] His dietary approach follows a Bengali pattern of rice, roti, vegetables, fish, fruits, nuts, curd, and chhana, with one weekly cheat meal of kosha mangsho or mishti after adhering to three strict diet days; he avoids supplements in favor of sustainable habits, prioritizing overall health through consistent effort over quick fixes.[39] This discipline has supported character portrayals requiring physical poise, such as Byomkesh Bakshi's successor Feluda, where he aligned his fitness to embody the detective's rigid, confident demeanor without slouching or excess weight.[41] Chowdhury sleeps seven hours nightly and consumes 3-4 liters of water daily to sustain these practices.[39]Filmography
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Chokher Bali | Mahendra | Hindi film directed by Rituparno Ghosh, adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore's novel.[42] |
| 2005 | Shunya E Bukey | Actor | Bengali.[15] |
| 2008 | Tintorettor Jishu | Robin / Rajshekhar Niyogi | Bengali, part of Feluda series.[15] |
| 2009 | Angshumaner Chhobi | Neel | Bengali.[16] |
| 2010 | Bolo Na Tumi Amar | Actor | Bengali.[15] |
| 2012 | Chaal | Actor | Bengali action thriller.[15] |
| 2012 | Paglu 2 | Actor | Bengali.[15] |
| 2013 | Aborto | Actor | Bengali drama.[15] |
| 2013 | Villain | Arnab | Bengali, also directed by him.[43] |
| 2014 | Biye Not Out | Actor | Bengali.[15] |
| 2014 | Ek Phali Rodh | Actor | Bengali.[15] |
| 2014 | Kaththi | Vivek Banerjee | Tamil action film dubbed in Telugu and Hindi.[17] |
| 2015 | Choukaath | Actor | Bengali drama.[15] |
| 2015 | Shapath | Actor | Bengali action drama.[15] |
| 2016 | Benche Thakar Gaan | Actor | Bengali comedy.[15] |
| 2016 | Kahaani 2: Durga Rani Singh | Inderjeet Bose | Hindi thriller.[15] |
| 2016 | Rangbaaz 2 | Actor | Bengali drama.[15] |
| 2016 | TE3N | Peter Roy | Hindi mystery thriller.[20] |
| 2017 | Choto Memsaheb | Actor | Bengali drama.[15] |
| 2017 | Hothat Ekdin | Actor | Bengali romantic comedy drama.[15] |
| 2017 | Indu Sarkar | Naveen Sarkar | Hindi historical drama.[20] |
| 2018 | Helicopter Eela | Arun Raiturkar | Hindi comedy drama.[20] |
| 2019 | Jaanbaaz | Actor | Bengali crime drama thriller.[15] |
| 2019 | Misha | Actor | Bengali romantic sci-fi.[15] |
| 2019 | Vinaya Vidheya Rama | Actor | Telugu action film.[18] |
| 2021 | Ajeeb Daastaans | Actor | Hindi anthology on Netflix.[15] |
| 2021 | The Girl on the Train | Inspector Nandu Charan | Hindi thriller.[1] |
| 2023 | Beautiful Life | Actor | Bengali drama.[15] |
| 2023 | Ranchi | Actor | Kannada action crime drama.[15] |
| 2023 | Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani | Chandon Chatterjee | Hindi romantic comedy.[44] |
Television and web series
Tota Roy Chowdhury entered television with the Bengali medical drama Ekhane Aakash Neel (2008–2009), where he portrayed Dr. Romit Sen across 8 episodes. He followed this with the lead role in the thriller serial Mukhosh Manush (2010–2011), depicting an assassin concealing his profession from his family, spanning 114 episodes.[45] In 2016, Chowdhury starred as the titular occult practitioner in Taranath Tantrik, a supernatural anthology series adapted from Taradas Bandyopadhyay's stories, airing on Colors Bangla.[46] He returned to daily soaps in Sreemoyee (2019–2021) as Rohit Sen, an NRI businessman and the protagonist's second husband, appearing in 293 episodes on Star Jalsha. Chowdhury gained prominence in web series through his portrayal of the detective Prodosh Chandra Mitra (Feluda) in Feluda Pherot (2020), later rebranded and continued as Feludar Goyendagiri (2022–2024) on Hoichoi, adapting Satyajit Ray's iconic stories across multiple seasons.[47] In Hindi OTT content, he played RAW agent Vinod Shekhawat in the espionage thriller Special Ops (2020–2025) on Disney+ Hotstar, featuring in 7 episodes of the second season released in 2025. His recent role as SP Mukhopadhyay appears in the Netflix prison drama Black Warrant (2025), based on events at Tihar Jail, across 3 episodes.| Year(s) | Title | Role | Platform/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–2009 | Ekhane Aakash Neel | Dr. Romit Sen | Bengali serial; 8 episodes |
| 2010–2011 | Mukhosh Manush | Lead assassin | Bengali thriller; 114 episodes[45] |
| 2016 | Taranath Tantrik | Taranath Tantrik | Bengali supernatural; anthology format[46] |
| 2019–2021 | Sreemoyee | Rohit Sen | Bengali daily soap; 293 episodes |
| 2020–2024 | Feludar Goyendagiri (incl. Feluda Pherot) | Prodosh Chandra Mitra (Feluda) | Hoichoi web series; Ray adaptations[47] |
| 2020–2025 | Special Ops | Vinod Shekhawat | Disney+ Hotstar; 7 episodes in S2 |
| 2025 | Black Warrant | SP Mukhopadhyay | Netflix; 3 episodes |
Awards and nominations
Tota Roy Chowdhury has received recognition primarily for his supporting roles in Bengali and Hindi films, with three wins and eight nominations documented across various industry awards.[5] The following table lists his notable awards and nominations:| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards (BFJA) | Best Actor | Chokher Bali | Won[2][48] |
| 2023 | Bollywood Hungama Surfers' Choice Movie Awards | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani | Won[5][49] |
| 2024 | News18 Showsha Reel Awards | Best Supporting Actor (Popular) | Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani | Won[50] |
| 2023 | FOI Online Awards | Best Performance by an Ensemble Cast | Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani | Nominated[51] |
| 2024 | Filmfare Awards | Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male) | Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani | Nominated[22] |
| 2024 | International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) | Best Supporting Actor | Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani | Nominated[5][52] |
| 2024 | Zee Cine Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani | Nominated[5] |