Anu Choudhury

Anu Choudhury (born 30 August 1979) is a leading Indian actress. She has starred in more than 65 films. Her debut Odia film was Maa Goja Bayani.

Anu Choudhury
ଅନୁ ଚୌଧୁରୀ
Anu Choudhury in Ekalabya Award Show
Born
Choudhury Anasuya Dash

(1979-08-30) 30 August 1979
Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
NationalityIndian
Other namesMunu
OccupationActress, Model
Years active1998– present
Spouse(s)
  • Sandip Mishra
    ​
    ​
    (m. 2006; div. 2008)​
  • Vishal Verma
    ​
    (m. 2010)​

Early life

Anu was born in Bhubaneswar to Odia film editor Rabi Choudhury and Soudamini Choudhury. Rabi Chaudhury was a film make-up man and an editor, so she was familiar with the film industry being a girl from film background. She graduated from Rama Devi Women's College, Bhubaneswar in home science before commencing a career as a film actress. Before coming to Oriya film industry she had always wanted to be an actress. At her early age she had acted in two Oriya movies as child artist. Before being an actress she had given voice for many actresses in films in her infant age. She has completed her higher secondary education from Bijupattanayak college, Bhubaneswar in science term.

Career

Career in Odia Film industry
Anu Choudhury performing in Hero Hockey India League

Anu began her career in Oriya film as a child artist. She acted as child artist in two movies, Badhu Nirupama and Mamata Mage Mula. As child artist she had done very small roles in these two movies. Her first film as main lead actress was Maa Gojabayani which was a huge hit in 1998. In her 1st movie though there was no such big stars, but still with her effort she was eligible to compete with Rachana Banerjee in Ollywood during that period. She won praise for her acting in the film. For her first movie she got Odisha State Film Award for Best Actress for that movie in Chalachitra Jagat award. Since then, she has acted in a number of films, Biswaprakash. In Biswaprakash she acted with internationally acclaimed actress Nandita Das which movie is a part of Indian Panorama.

Then after she did movies like Mana Rahigala Tumari Thare, Maa-O-Mamata, Gare Sindura Dhare Luha. For Gare Sindura Dhare Luha movie she got Orissa State Film Awards as best actress. After that she continued to do many more movies. Anu got rush popularity in movie Rakhi Bandhili Mo Rakhiba Mana after which she became favourite of many directors, producers and viewers. After her movie Hari Bhai Harena she gave a new definition to Odisha cinema. She also acted in Sashu Ghara Chalijibi which was produced by famous Rajshri Productions and co-starred Siddhanta Mahapatra.

Her first film in Bengali was Ram Lakshman but Surya was released first in 2004. Both films had Prosenjit Chatterjee in male lead. She has also acted in a Telugu movie Subha Bela directed by V.B. Ramana. Anu gave a super hit movie " Maa Gojabayani" at the entry of her into film industry.After that she gave a lot hit and super hit movie for Oriya film industry and became favourite of all directors. In her film career she has acted with many talented directors and costars. After her movie Hari Bhai harena she gave a new definition to orissa cinema. Her 1st Telugu movie "Subhavela" was a hit and that movie was a very controversial movie at that time. At the peak of her career she got married and after a very short time period, she had seven releases as lead actress in a single year 2007 out of which four were hits. Due to some personal issues she left Oriya industry for two years and back to industry after two years with two flop movies.But again she gave a hit number with " Pahili Raja" in which she had played a cop character which was very challenging and got many awards for that.

Career in South industry
Choudhury in TeachAIDS interview in 2013

Anu Choudhury started her career with Telugu movie " Subhavela" which was into controversy in 2000. There was a rumour that the print was seized on day one, and everybody's wondering why it has been released in just a single theatre, unusual for a Telugu release. But all said and done, this one is just a rip off of Runaway Bride, the Hollywood film starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. The Hollywood version did good business at the box office, but this Tollywood version was with a doubtful starter. But just after one week the movie got released in huge number of theatres and did very good business.

The movie revolves around a young woman, Satya, (Anu) who dumps her bridegroom at the altar, not once but four times. The reason – her best friend attempts suicide after marriage. This unusual behaviour attracts the attention of journalist Surya (Vijay), who begins writing a serial version for his newspaper, which turns into a best-seller.[1]

Anu Choudhury continued to act in Muthyam[2] and then Manasu Telusuko, but did not have much success in the south Indian film industry.

Career in Bengali industry

Anu started her Bengali film career in 2004 with movie Surya[3] opposite Prasenjit Chatterjee . The movie got huge success under the direction of Swapan Saha .Then she continued to be attached with Bengali film industry as one after another she got success with movies like Ram Laxman, Dadar Adesh, etc. She created a tremendous pairing with Prasenjit Chatterjee and Jisshu Sengupta.

Her notable movies with Prasenjit Chatterjee are Surya, Dadar Adesh, Rajmohol, Jamai Raja, Rajkumar etc. Jisshu Sengupta had a great pairing with Anu in the movie Hangama, Abhimanyu and Mahaguru. She was also seen a very prominent character in Thikana Rajpath[4] with a deglam role for which she had got many complements.Lastly she was seen in " Aami Aachi Sei Je Tomar "[5] in 2011 and the movie didn't get much success. Over all she had a successful career in Bengali film industry.

Bollywood Debut and film breakthrough

Anu got break in a Hindi movie nirvana 13 directed by Jitin Rawat also starring Sandeep Kulkarni proposed to be released in 2011.[6] Being an independent movie it could not released yet. Nirvana 13 is a story about a patients's cry for relief from agony and a nurse who is silently wishing for the same. The two have a conversation about their struggles with morality and helplessness and their constant quest for a way out. This provokes different perspectives of the pragmatic and spiritual aspects of life and death. Anu Choudhury is playing the character of Marium D'souza in the movie. Anu received best actress award for her 1st Hindi movie nirvana 13 in Los Angeles movie award. She was the only Indian actress selected for this award in 2011.[7]

Anu is now working on her next film Babloo Happy Hai based on youth to be released in 2013 with talented director Nila Madhab Panda with costars Parvin Dabas, Sahil Anand, Erica Fernandes.[8][9]

Nila Madhav Panda is a very sensible filmmaker who represents good cinema. I was really keen on working with him when I got the offer

– Anu Choudhury in an interview[10]

When the director Nila Madhab Panda said,"I have seen Anu's work and really liked her. It was Anu's talent that made me finalise her,"[10]

Social activism and commercials
Anu Choudhury during launch ceremony of "Bijuli Didi"

Anu Choudhury has been a committed social activist, active in supporting child survival and fighting AIDS and injustice in real life. Anu has worked as brand ambassador for UNICEF, Lalchand Jewellers, Kanchan Jewellery, Ruchi Curry Powder, Epari Sadashiv Jewellery etc. She has been brand ambassador for more than 20 commercials. She says, "Along with films I have been doing commercials for the last ten years and it's natural that the product manufacturers want us to endorse their brand since we have face value. And it's obvious that we won't do it for charity but then money is not everything."[11] She has been brand ambassador for prestigious Emami edible oil.[12] Anu is also working as brand ambassador for FAME (First Academy of Media and Entertainment)in Odisha. Anu Chaudhury, along with Ms Shabana Azmi, renowned actress and former Member of Parliament, noted Indian classical dancer Ms Shovan Narayan and rockstar Mr Subir Malik, member of the Parikrama band, were declared as brand ambassador for safe motherhood, champion and Youth Icon for Safe Motherhood, respectively.[13]

Recently, Anu Choudhury is appointed as Brand ambassador for a public awareness campaign, "Bijuli Didi" on behalf of all the electric distribution utilities of the State, CESU, NESCO, WESCO and SOUTHCO, and all the franchisees working in the CESU area.[14] The brand Bijuli Didi was unveiled at a function by Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) Chairman Satya Prakash Nanda.As part of the Bijuli Didi campaign, Anu will make people aware about simple facts that will help people to conserveelectricity, check power theft and pay bills on time.[15][16]

On 1 November 2013 Anu Choudhury was declared to be part of TeachAIDS, is a nonprofit organisation that develops HIV prevention education technology materials, based on an approach invented through research at Stanford University.[17] On 21 November 2013 official launching of TeachAIDS of Odia version was done. A teaser of the animated software, which features the caricatures and voices of actors Akash DasNayak, Anu Choudhury, Prashant Nanda and Odissi danseuse Aruna Mohanty, will be released online (www.teachaids.org) on 1 December to mark the occasion of World Aids Day.Anu said the "revolutionary product" would combat ignorance about HIV as it is likely to be introduced in schools and colleges from next year.A preview of the film was screened for the media here on Thursday.[18][19]

Filmography
Year Title Role Language Notes
Badhu nirupama Odia child artist
Mamata mage mula Odia child artist
1998 Maa Gojabyani Odia Chalachitra Jagat Award for Best Actress
1999 Biswaprakash Odia with Nandita Das
2000 Mana rahigala tumari thare Odia with Siddhant and Jyoti
2000 Maa O Mamata Odia
2000 Subhavela Satya Telugu
2001 Gare Sindura Dhare Luha Odia Won state film award for Best Actress
2001 Samaya kheluchi chaka bhaunri Odia with Sumeet Saigal
2001 Muthyum Telugu
2002 Rakhi bandhili mo rakhiba mana Odia Won state film award for Best Actress
2002 Manasu Telusuko Telugu
2002 Pua Mora Jagata Jita Odia
2003 Sabata Maa Rama Odia
2003 Mor sang chal Chhattisgarh
2003 Rakata Kahiba Kia Kahara Odia Won Best Actress in various film awards
2004 Rakhiba jadi se mariba kia Odia
2004 Agni parikhya Odia
2004 Omm Santi Omm Odia Won state film award for Best Actress
2004 Hari Bhai Harena Shibani Odia
2004 Surya Rina Bengali
2004 Dadar Adesh Bengali
2005 Baji Odia
2005 Sashughara Chalijibi Sita Odia Won state film award for Best Actress
2005 Topae Sindura Di Topa Luha Odia
2005 Rajmohol Bengali
2005 Ram Laxman Bengali
2006 Babu I Love You Odia
2006 Prema Ritu Asila Re Odia
2006 Abhimanyu Bengali
2006 Hungama Bengali
2007 Dhauli Express Tila Odia critically acclaimed
2007 Chaka Chaka Bhaunri Odia
2007 Tumaku Paruni Ta Bhuli Odia
2007 Kalishankar Odia
2007 Lal Tuku Tuku Sadhaba Bahu Odia
2007 Kathantara Kalpana Odia
2007 Samaya Hathare Dori Odia
2007 Sudu Tomar Janyo Bengali
2007 Kalishankar Bengali
2007 Mahaguru Bengali
2008 Hasiba Puni Mo Suna Sansar Odia
2008 Rajkumar Bengali
2009 Tume Hi Sathi Mora Shikha Odia
2009 Jamai Raja Bengali
2010 Pahili Raja Sweta Odia
2010 Thikana Rajpath Malla Bengali
2011 Ami achi sei je tomar Priya Bengali
2011 Kemiti E Bandhana Odia worked with Chandrachur Singh
2013 Matira Bandhana Odia
2013 Sindura Odia guest appearance
2013 TeachAIDS Voice (Female student) Odia Animated movie to be released on 1 December World Aids Day
2014 Sweet heart Gracy Odia Delayed
2014 Nirvana 13 Mariam Dsouza Hindi
2014 Babloo Happy Hai Deepa Hindi Nila Madhab Panda film
2014 Ganja Ladhei Malli Odia In a song no.
2015 Maya Maya Odia
2015 Hey Prabhu Dekha De Odia
2016 Sweet Heart Odia
2017 God Father-True Story of a Man Saloni Odia
2019 Tu mo Love story-2 Kritika Odia
2019 Nayakara Na Debadaasa Paro Odia
2019 Patnagarh Odia
2019 Patnagarh Telugu
2019 Chabirani Namita Odia
2020 72 Hours Anu Odia Web series
2020 Anu Didi Not out Anu Odia Telefilm

Awards

Anu Chowdhury was adjudged the Best Actress for her performance in Sasughara Chalijibi at the 2005 Orissa State Film Awards ceremony held at Bhubaneswar on 30 May 2007.[20] She won the best Actress Award in the 4th Cine India International Film Festival, Noida for her portrayal of a second generation refugee from East Bengal in the Kadambinee Media Pvt Ltd. productions Kathantara.[21]

On 30 December 2007, Anu won the Best Actress Award at the "Chalachhitra Jagat Pratibha Samman – 2007" for her performance in the Oriya movie Lal Tuku Tuku Sadhaba Bahu.[22] she is four time state award winner for best actress category. Anu again received best actress award for her 1st Hindi movie Nirvana 13 in Los Angeles movie award. She was the only Indian actress selected for this award in 2011.[7]

State Awards

Anu has received the glorious Orissa State Film Awards for Best Actress four times

International Awards

References
  1. "Subhavela Review". 22 December 2000. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  2. "Muthyam Review". 2 November 2001. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  3. "Surya". 2 August 2004. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  4. "Thikana Rajpath". 12 September 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  5. "Aami Aachi Sei Je Tomar". 24 September 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  6. "Anu Choudhury Starring in Nirvana 13". chalachitra.in. 21 May 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2012.
  7. "Odisha: anu choudhury in nirvana 13". Incredible Orissa. 11 March 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  8. "Odisha: Anu Choudhary in acclaimed director Nila Madhab Panda's new youth film". Orissa Diary. 22 October 2012. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  9. "Nila Madhab Panda's next film revolves around Delhi". Times of india. 29 December 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  10. "Nila Madhav Panda is back with his next project". The Times of India. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  11. "Stars endorse brands with a message". The Times of India. 13 March 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  12. "Emami turns to local stars to promote edible oil brand". moneycontrol.com. 20 June 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  13. "Deliver Now India". who.int/pmnch/en/. 20 April 2008. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  14. "Anu Choudhury turns 'Bijuli Didi'". the pioneer/. 15 September 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  15. "Bijuli Didi is here with power tips – State govt launches awareness campaign to conserve electricity". The Telegraph. 15 September 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  16. "Bijuli Didi takes off". The Statesman. 14 September 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  17. "Actress Anu Choudhury joins education efforts in odisha". 1 November 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  18. "Hush-hush topic gets a voice – Animated course on HIV education in Odia to be launched". the telegraph/. 22 November 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  19. "Odia film on HIV". the times of india. 22 November 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  20. "'Maidens' sweep annual State film awards". The Hindu. 31 May 2007.
  21. "Kathantara". Kadambinee Media Pvt. Ltd. Archived from the original on 18 November 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  22. "Oriya Film Awards: Siddhant and Anu Choudhury get the Honours". Oriya Times. 31 December 2007. Archived from the original on 16 September 2008.

Notes
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