Babul Supriyo

Babul Supriya Baral (born 15 December 1970) is an Indian playback singer, live performer, television host, actor and politician who currently serves as Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha from West Bengal. He previously served as Cabinet Minister of Information Technology and Electronics of the Government of West Bengal from 2024 till 2026. He was elected Member of Parliament from Asansol in the 16th and 17th Lok Sabha and also served as the Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in the Union Council of Ministers. He officially resigned as MP on 19 October 2021 and was elected as a Member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly on 16 April 2022 from Ballygunge Assembly seat.

He started his career as playback singer in Hindi cinema in the mid-nineties and has sung for many films since then. He primarily sings in Hindi, Bengali, and Odia languages. However, he has also done playback singing in 11 other languages during his musical career. He entered politics in 2014 and joined Narendra Modi's government. He previously served as Union Minister of State for Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.

Supriyo quit the Bharatiya Janata Party and joined the Trinamool Congress Party in September 2021.

Early life Supriyo was born and brought up in Uttarpara, a suburb town of Kolkata on the banks of the Hooghly River in West Bengal. His parents are Sunil Chandra Baral and Sumitra Baral. Babul comes from a musically inclined family and was greatly influenced by his grandfather, Banikantha NC Baral, a Bengali vocalist and composer. He won several inter-school and inter-college music compositions, and had performed in All India Radio and Doordarshan. He attended Don Bosco School during which he became an "All India Don Bosco Music Champion" in 1983, and "The Most Enriching Talent" in 1985. He completed his bachelor's degree in commerce from Serampore College in 1991.

When he entered the entertainment industry, he changed his birth name Supriya Baral to Babul Supriyo.

Personal life Supriyo was introduced to Riaa at a Shah Rukh Khan concert in Toronto. They got married in 1995. He remarried on 9 August 2016 to Rachna Sharma, an air hostess of Jet Airways.

Political career The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee administering the oath as Minister of State to Shri Babul Supriya (Babul Supriyo) Baral, at a Swearing-in Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on 9 November 2014.

An ardent admirer of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi, Supriyo was introduced to Bharatiya Janata Party in March 2014. In 2014 Indian general election, he was nominated by the party as their candidate for Asansol, West Bengal and won it by defeating Dola Sen. He was inducted to Narendra Modi's government as the Union Minister of State, Ministry of Urban Development; and Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation on 9 November 2014. He became the youngest minister.

In the 2019 Indian general election, Supriyo again won from the Asansol as a Bharatiya Janata Party candidate defeating Moon Moon Sen by 1.97 lakh votes, and securing a total of 6.32 lakh votes. In May 2019, he became Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Member of Parliament On 19 September 2019, Supriyo was attacked by students after he was invited to attend an event at Calcutta's Jadavpur University.

On 13 August 2019, Supriyo Babul, accused the state government of not giving food for the cyclone affected people in Fazarganj for 5 days.

In the 2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election, Babul Supriyo ran from Tollyganj (Vidhan Sabha constituency) as the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate and lost by more than 50,000 votes. Probably stung by an unexpected defeat, Supriyo stated that Bengal had made a 'historic mistake' by voting for TMC. However the Facebook post was later deleted.

On 31 July 2021, Babul Supriyo announced on social media his decision to quit politics and also resign as a Lok Sabha MP. However, days later he decided to complete his tenure as MP. He then edited his Facebook post deleting the "won't join any party" remark raising speculations. On 18 September 2021 he joined TMC in presence of Abhishek Banerjee.

On 16 April 2022 he was elected as a Member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly from Ballygunge Assembly seat. After he was elected as an MP, he resigned as a cabinet minister and as a member of legislative assembly.

Singing career

After a brief work at the Standard Chartered Bank, Supriyo chose singing as a full-time career. He moved to Mumbai in 1992 to make a career in Hindi cinema. Kalyanji gave him a break, and took him to perform abroad at their live shows. In 1993 he toured Canada and USA with Amitabh Bachchan. He also toured US with Asha Bhonsle in 1997 and 1999. Babul Supriyo performed at Powai Sarvajanin Durgotsav in 2011.

His breakthrough came with "Dil Ne Dil Ko Pukara" in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai in 2000, the debut film of Hrithik Roshan.

Discography Albums Monoroma Tilottama (1997) Hoyto Tomari Jannya (1999) Sochta Hun (2003) Mon Uri Jai (2003) Kuch Aisa Lagta Hai Untitled - Babul Supriyo (2008) Kotobaaro Bhebechhinu (Rabindra Sangeet) (2009) - Asha Audio Jodi Jantem (Rabindra Sangeet) (2010) - Asha Audio Babul Baul (2014) Mone Robe (2011, Rabindra Sangeet album comprising 10 songs sung by Babul Supriyo & Alka Yagnik) Just Tomake What The Folk Timeless Suna Pharua (2016, Odia)

As a playback singer

Year Film/Album Song name Composer Notes1994 Ekka Raja Rani Dil Ko Zara Sa Nadeem–Shravan Prem Yog Zindagi Char Din Ki Bappi Lahiri Kranti Kshetra Malan Thara Baag MeinShor Machaongi Nadeem–Shravan 1995 Gaddaar Baraste Paani Ka Maza Nadeem–Shravan Uncredited Oorja: The High Energy Versions Q-Funk Phil & Jerry Debut remix song1996 Agni Sakshi O Piya O Piya Nadeem–Shravan Shastra Kuch Hua Re Hua Re Aadesh Shrivastava Jung Kya Dekh Raha Hai Nadeem–Shravan Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi Aaj Meri Zindagi Anu Malik Himmatvar Kitni Chahat Chhupaye Baitha Hoon Nadeem–Shravan 1997 Saat Rang Ke Sapne Aati Hai To Chal Dilon Ka Haal Ba Ba Batao Na Nadeem–Shravan Naseeb Tumhi Ne Meri Zindagi Nadeem–Shravan Aar Ya Paar Jo Hoga Hone Do Viju Shah Jeevan Yudh Sun Sajana Tere Bin Nadeem–Shravan 1998 Doli Saja Ke Rakhna Taram Pam A. R. Rahman 1999 Hello Brother Hata Saawan Ki Ghata Sajid–Wajid 2000 Bechainee Tumse Nahin Koi Pyaara Sanam Charles Srinivasan Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai Dil Ne Dil Ko Pukara Rajesh Roshan Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke Dhaai Akshar Prem KeDo Lafzo MeinHai Deewane Yeh Ishq MeraYeh Sama Yeh NazareKoi Taza HawaEk Haseen Ladki Jatin–Lalit Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa Chori Chori Chupke Chupke Ismail Darbar Aaghaaz Aaghaaz KaroMan Tera Mera Man Anu Malik Kaali Ki Saugandh Raees 2001 Chori Chori Chupke Chupke Chori Chori Chupke Chupke Anu Malik Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai Maine Koi JadooJabse Dekha Hai Anu Malik Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar Govinda Anand–Milind Kasautii Zindagii Kay Kasautii Zindagii Kay TV seriesAamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya Style Nasha TeraSajanniya Re Himesh Reshammiya Boond Goriya Re Goriya Re Rajendara-Liyaqat Albela Hai Mera Dil TuSarse Sarak Gayee Jatin–Lalit Ittefaq Main Aashiq Hoon Dilip Sen-Sameer Sen Dial 100 Sunil Jha & Raja Sen 2002 Dil Vil Pyar Vyar Yeh Jo Mohabbat HaiKehna HaiAb Ke Saawan MeinKehna Hai (Solo) Babloo Chakravorty Jeena Sirf Merre Liye Jeena Sirf Merre LiyePyaar Mange Nadeem-Shravan Kaaboo Aey Babu Anchal Talesara Company Pyar Pyar Mein Sandeep Chowta Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai? Aarzoo Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Kya Yehi Pyaar Hai Meri Tarah Tum Bhi Sajid–Wajid Gunaah Hamne Tumko Dil Ye De DiyaJab Dil Churaya Anand Raj Anand Deewangee Dholi O Dholi Ismail Darbar SantanaPhaguna re PhagunaMalay MishraMohammad Mohsin 2003 Dil Ka Rishta Dil Ka Rishta (Sad) Nadeem-Shravan Hungama Pari Pari Hai Ek Pari Nadeem-Shravan Chori Chori Aate Aate Sajid–Wajid Out of Control Tera Chandsa Yeh CheheraKudhi Vi SoniTu Mera Hai Sanam Anand Raj Anand Kucch To Hai Hai Rey Anu Malik Leena On The Chhuk Chhuk Mix Leena O LeenaTum Aa Gaye HoChhookar Mere Mann KoMeri Pyaari BehniyaLe Jaaynge Harry Anand Remix video which had TV actor Eijaz Khan in his first few rolesDJ Hot Remix Kehdoon Tumhain Harry Anand Remix video which had TV actor Eijaz Khan in his first few rolesEscape from Taliban Rimil Baba Babul Bose Ek Aur Ek Gyarah Yeh Mann Mera Bada Hi Chaliyan Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Andaaz Aayega Maza Ab Barsaat Ka Nadeem-Shravan Zameen Bas Ek Baar Himesh Reshammiya Wrong Number Kabhi Jabhi Koi Chehra Daboo Malik 2004 Plan Aane Wala Pal Anand Raj Anand Hum Tum Hum Tum Jatin–Lalit DJ Hot Remix Vol.2 & The Return Of Kaanta Mix Tere Jaisa Yaar KahaanKehdoon TumhainYeh Kaali Kaali AankainVaada Karo Nahi Chhodogi Tum Meraa SaathKhizaan Ke Phool PeLeena O Leena Harry Anand Remix album Naam Gum Jaayegaa Tera Palkein Jo Uthin Anand–Milind Suno Sasurjee Saason Se Saasein Sanjeev–Darshan Sweet Honey Mix Pardesiya Harry Anand Remix album Miss Spicy Mix PardesiyaAaj Rapat Jaayn Harry Anand Remix album featuring Rakhi Sawant in one of her first few rolesBaby Love – Ek Pardesi Mera Dil Le Gaya Lekar Hum Deewanaa DilYeh Raat Bheegi Bheegi Remix album DJ Aqeel – Disco 82 Disco 82 DJ Aqeel Remix album Play Gal Mix Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon (Version 2) Harry Anand Remix album Rok Sako To Rok Lo Haan Mujhe Thaam LeRok Sako To Rok Lo Jatin–Lalit 2005 Vaada Main Ishq Uska Himesh Reshammiya DJ Hot Remix Vol 3 Aray Yaar Harry Anand Remix album Chaahat – Ek Nasha Dil Ki Baat Anand Raj Anand Chehraa Kabhi Khamosh Baithogi Anu Malik Zameer Dil Ke Badle Dil ToTere Pyar Ne DeewanaZindagi Ke Faisle Mein Jatin–Lalit DJ Hot Remix Vol 4 PardesiyaKhizzaan Ke Phool Pe Harry Anand Remix album Dus Chhaam Se Vishal-Shekhar Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya Teri Meri Love Story Himesh Reshammiya 7½ Phere Tera Saath Hai Kitna Pyare Shantanu Moitra 2006 Fanaa Chanda Chamke Jatin–Lalit Bombay Vikings – Zara Nazron Se Kahdo Kehdoon TumhainPardesiyaKhizzaan Ke Phool PeLeena O Leena Harry Anand Remix albumSanober & The Masti Express Pardesiya Harry Anand Remix albumVivah Hamari Shaadi Mein Ravindra Jain Mantra Shakti Jackson & Shakeer 2007 Laaga Chunari Mein Daag Zara Gungunalein Chalo Shantanu Moitra 2010 Sanam Hum Aapke Hain... Dil Ne Jo Bhi Kaha Maine Manna Manoj–Vijay 2018 Laila Majnu Sarphira Niladri Kumar

Bengali songs

Kannada songs Year Film Songs Composers Lyrics Co-singers 2002 Ninagoskara Prema Lokadinda" L. N. Shastri K. Kalyan Mahalakshmi Iyer

Odia songs Supriyo sang Phaguna re Phaguna in Mohammad Mohsin's movie Santana which made him a household name in Odisha. Subsequently, he sang many songs in Odia.

Assamese songs

Marathi songs Year Film Songs Composers Lyrics Co-singers 2018 Patil"Dhin Tak Dhin" Anand–Milind Sameer Shreya Ghoshal

Awards and honours

2002: Honorary citizenship by the State Council of Atlanta. 2003: Kalakar Awards – Best Playback Singer for Kasautii Zindagii Kay 2004: Kalakar Awards – Best Playback Singer for Mayer Anchal 2006: Bengal Film Journalists' Association – Best Male Playback Award for Subho Drishti. 2007: Zee Gold Awards – Best Playback Singer for Kasautii Zindagii Kay 2016: Walked at Grande finale show of Indian Federation for Fashion Development's India Runway Week season 6 for designer Agnimitra Paul

Criticism

Babul Supriyo has been criticised for his communal politics before joining Trinamool Congress.

He frequently made derogatory remarks on Rohingyas and Muslim minorities of India.