Rishav Basu

Rishav Kumar Basu (born 15 September 1990) is an Indian actor primarily known for his work in Bengali cinema and Bengali-language web series. He has appeared in films, web series, and television productions across Bengali, Telugu, Hindi, and Odia platforms, and has an extensive background in Bengali theatre. He is known for his lead roles in Srikanto, Saralakkho Holmes, Dhrubor Ashchorjo Jibon, and The Academy of Fine Arts.

Early life and education Rishav Basu was born on 15 September 1990 in Kolkata, West Bengal, into a lower middle-class family. His father, Monaj Basu, worked as an ambulance driver, and his mother, Sahana Basu, was a Bengali language teacher.

He studied at St. Augustine's Day School and aspired to pursue a career as a professional footballer. However, an ACL injury cut short his sporting ambitions. He subsequently graduated with a B.Sc in Mass Communication and Videography from St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, and later completed an M.A. in Film Studies from Jadavpur University. He also undertook an extensive workshop at the National School of Drama, New Delhi.

Career Theatre Rishav began his career in Bengali professional theatre in 2009 as a member of the theatre group Sansriti. He subsequently performed with several notable theatre groups including Bohurupee, Blank Verse, Thealight, 4th Bell Theatres, Chetana, Ashoknagar Natyamukh, Natadha, Bratyajan, and Rosikata. Over the course of his theatre career, he has been associated with more than 40 Bengali plays.

In 2011, he was awarded the Junior Scholarship in Theatre by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

He continues to work with Rosikata and Bongway Productions and has served as a dramatics teacher at institutions including Ashok Hall Girls' School, South Point, and Delhi Public School, North Kolkata.

Debut and early work Rishav made his screen debut in minor roles in Meghnadhbadh Rahasya (2016) and Maati (2017). His first prominent screen appearance was in the thriller Kuasha Jokhon (2018), opposite Gargee Roy Chowdhury.

Breakthrough He was cast as the titular male lead in Bhotbhoti, directed by Tathagata Mukherjee and produced by Pramod Films. The film's teaser received critical acknowledgement and brought him wider public attention. The film's release was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

During this period, Rishav joined the popular television drama Khorkuto on Star Jalsha, where his character Adil was praised by viewers. He subsequently appeared in the romantic comedy mini-series Turu Love on Hoichoi, playing the male lead to considerable popular acclaim.

Srikanto and further recognition Rishav was cast in the title role of Srikanto, a Hoichoi web series based on the classic novel by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, opposite Sohini Sarkar. The musical romantic drama became a major success, and its songs, including Amake Nao and Alote Chol, were widely praised. He subsequently appeared in the ensemble thriller series Mahabharat Murders on Hoichoi, playing the role of Vicky Patel.

Telugu debut and other projects In 2024, Rishav made his debut in the Telugu film industry, playing the antagonist in Osho Tulasi Ram's Dakshina, opposite Tamil actress Sai Dhanshika. Although the film received a modest commercial response, his performance was noted by audiences and critics. He also played the lead role in the Bengali film Prosenjit Weds Rituparna, produced by Bengali superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee.

He was a part of the experimental film Gopone Mod Charan, billed as India's first single-shot feature film. He then appeared in The Academy of Fine Arts (2025), directed by Jayabrata Das and produced by Pramod Films, which became a surprise commercial success. He also served as an Executive Producer on this project.

Eskay Movies contract and awards Rishav signed a four-film contract with leading production house Eskay Movies. His notable roles under this contract include the title role in Saralakkho Holmes — a Bengali adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes character — directed by Sayantan Ghosal. The film received positive reviews upon release, with critics noting his energetic and confident portrayal of the eccentric detective.

He also played the lead in the experimental science fiction Bengali film Dhrubor Ashchorjo Jibon, directed by Abhijit Chowdhury. The film received critical acclaim, with reviewers specifically praising Basu's central performance as Dhrubo. Dhrubor Ashchorjo Jibon won the Best Film award at the Kolkata International Film Festival, and Rishav received the Best Actor award at the North American Bengali Convention (NABC), New York.

Upcoming work Rishav collaborated with acclaimed filmmaker duo Shiboprosad Mukherjee and Nandita Roy in Phool Pishi O Edward, produced by Windows Production, awaiting release in 2026.

Other work In addition to his acting career, Rishav has appeared in brand campaigns for companies including Kwality Walls, Agaro, Datsun, and Tata Motors, and has featured in multiple music videos in Bengali, Hindi, and Odia.

Rishav is a singer and writer. He remains an active sportsman, regularly participating in football tournaments and exhibition matches. He was called up for the Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) team Bengal Tigers in 2026. He is also known as an animal rights activist, working extensively toward the rescue and adoption of animals.

Filmography

Films Year Film Character Director Producer Notes 2016 Meghnad Badh Rahasya Ashim Anik Dutta Friends Communication Minor role 2017 Maati Piyal Leena Gangopadhyay / Saibal Banerjee Magic Moments Motion Pictures Minor role 2018 Mittir Parar Maradona Bunty Robin Das AbolTabol Projojona / Zee Bangla Originals 2018 Jaya Jaya Devi Gourab Arijeet Toton Chakravorty Raj Chakravorty Productions / Zee Bangla Originals 2018 Kuasha Jokhon Alex / Surjo Meenakshi / Abhishek Folklore Entertainments First prominent role 2021 Tangra Blues Imran Supriyo Sen Roadshow Films 2021 Olpo Holeo Shotti Siddhartha Soumojeet Adak Roop Productions and Entertainment 2021 Iskaboner Rani Anish Abhimanyu Mukherjee Artage Productions / Zee Bangla Originals 2022 Bhotbhoti Bhotbhoti Tathagata Mukherjee Pramod Films / Wizemann Movies Title role 2022 Prosenjit Weds Rituparna Prosenjit / Bumba Samrat Sharma NeIdeas Production / Swastik Entertainment Lead role; produced by Prosenjit Chatterjee 2022 Aparajito Surya Shankar Anik Dutta Friends Communication 2023 Tahader Katha Rafiqul Subrata Ghosh EpicTale Entertainment 2024 Dakshina Serial Killer Osho Tulasi Ram Cult Concept Films Telugu film; debut in Telugu industry 2025 Jodi Emon Hoto Abhi Rabin Nambiar Eskay Movies 2025 Dhrubor Ashchorjo Jibon Dhrubo Abhijit Chowdhury Fourth Floor Entertainment / Concept Cube Won Best Film, Kolkata International Film Festival; Rishav won Best Actor, NABC New York 2025 Annapurna Rony Anshuman Pratyush Eskay Movies 2025 The Eken: Benaras e Bibhishika Samiran Joydeep Mukherjee SVF Entertainment 2025 Saralakkho Holmes Saralakkho Holmes Sayantan Ghoshal Eskay Movies Title role; Bengali adaptation of Sherlock Holmes 2025 The Academy of Fine Arts Sachin Jayabrata Das Cinenic / Pramod Films Also Executive Producer 2026 Phool Pishi O Edward Raja Shiboprosad Mukherjee / Nandita Roy Windows Production 2026Nibba NibbiTathagata MukherjeeDreams On Sale TBA Gopone Mod Charan Chandu Tathagata Mukherjee Dreams on Sale India's first single-shot feature film TBA Bhalobashi Tokey Bhalobeshe Sam Sayantan Ghoshal Eskay Movies TBA Lajjo Umesh Ananya Bhanja Chaudhuri ABC Entertainment TBA Khader Dhare Railing Ta Shaown Shuvam Dutta Woverine Entertainment

Web series and television Year Show Character Channel / OTTRef. 2012 CID Bengal Gourab Sony Aath 2015 Byomkesh Bijoy ETV Bangla 2015 Byomkesh Bishupal's brother ETV Bangla 2016 Robi Thakurer Golpo Gobindolal ETV Bangla 2016 Milon Tithi Srijit Star Jalsha 2019 Bouma Detective Rohit Hoichoi 2021 Khorkuto Adil Star Jalsha 2021 Turu Love Aritra Hoichoi 2022 Joy Jagannath Arjun Zee Bangla 2022 Srikanto Srikanto Hoichoi – Title role 2022 Mahabharat Murders Vicky Patel Hoichoi 2023 Kumudini Bhavan Rwik Hoichoi 2024 Alor Koley Rishiraj Zee Bangla 2024 Gopon Holeo Parto Shubho Hoichoi 2024 Bharate Bibhrat Avik Hoichoi

Awards and recognition Year Award Category Work Result 2011 Ministry of Culture, Government of India Junior Scholarship in Theatre Theatre 2025 North American Bengali Convention (NABC), New York Best Actor Dhrubor Ashchorjo Jibon 2025 Kolkata International Film Festival Best Film (Bengali Panorama) Dhrubor Ashchorjo Jibon