# Babul Supriyo

Babul Supriyo (b. 15 December 1970) is an Indian playback singer, live performer, television host, actor and politician who currently serves as Cabinet Minister of Information Technology and Electronics of the Government of West Bengal. 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. Their first child Sharmilee was born in 1996. Supriyo and Riaa divorced in October 2015. He remarried on 9 August 2016 to Rachna Sharma, an air hostess of Jet Airways.

## Political career

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. He served in these ministries till 12 July 2016, after which his portfolio was changed to Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.
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
| Election | Election | Constituency | Party | Votes | % | ± |
| | 2019 | Asansol | Bharatiya Janata Party | 6,33,378 | 51.16 | 14.41 |
| | 2014 | Asansol | Bharatiya Janata Party | 4,19,983 | 36.75 | 31.19 |
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.

## 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. Besides playback singing, he has also done several stage shows. 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. Some of his other popular Hindi cinema songs are "Pari Pari Hai Ek Pari" (Hungama), "Hum Tum" (Hum Tum) and "Chanda Chamke" (Fanaa). He is the anchor of the hit television show K for Kishore. He sang the opening themes of Balaji Telefilms serials.

### Albums

* Monoroma Tilottama (1997)
* Hoyto Tomari Jannya (1999)
* Sochta Hun (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)

## Discography
### As a playback singer

Denotes films that have not yet been released
| Year | Film | Song Name | Composer | Notes |
| 1994 | Ekka Raja Rani | Dil Ko Zara Sa | Nadeem–Shravan | |
| 1994 | Prem Yog | Zindagi Char Din Ki | Bappi Lahiri | |
| 1994 | Kranti Kshetra | Malan Thara Baag Mein Shor Machaongi | Nadeem–Shravan | |
| 1995 | Gaddaar | Baraste Paani Ka Maza | Nadeem-Shravan | Uncredited |
| 1996 | Agni Sakshi | O Piya O Piya | Nadeem–Shravan | |
| 1996 | Shastra | Kuch Hua Re Hua Re | Aadesh Shrivastava | |
| 1996 | Jung | Kya Dekh Raha Hai | Nadeem–Shravan | |
| 1996 | Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi | Aaj Meri Zindagi | Anu Malik | |
| 1996 | 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 | |
| 1997 | Naseeb | Tumhi Ne Meri Zindagi | Nadeem-Shravan | |
| 1997 | Aar Ya Paar | Jo Hoga Hone Do | Viju Shah | |
| 1997 | 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 | |
| 2000 | Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai | Dil Ne Dil Ko Pukara | Rajesh Roshan | |
| 2000 | Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke | Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke Do Lafzo Mein Hai Deewane Yeh Ishq Mera Yeh Sama Yeh Nazare Koi Taza Hawa Ek Haseen Ladki | Jatin–Lalit | |
| 2000 | Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa | Chori Chori Chupke Chupke | Ismail Darbar | |
| 2000 | Aaghaaz | Aaghaaz Karo Man Tera Mera Man | Anu Malik | |
| 2000 | Kaali Ki Saugandh | | Raees | |
| 2001 | Chori Chori Chupke Chupke | Chori Chori Chupke Chupke | Anu Malik | |
| 2001 | Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai | Maine Koi Jadoo Jabse Dekha Hai | Anu Malik | |
| 2001 | Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar | Govinda | Anand–Milind | |
| 2001 | Kasautii Zindagii Kay | Kasautii Zindagii Kay | | TV series |
| 2001 | Aamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya | Style Nasha Tera Sajanniya Re | Himesh Reshammiya | |
| 2001 | Boond | Goriya Re Goriya Re | Rajendara-Liyaqat | |
| 2001 | Albela | Hai Mera Dil Tu Sarse Sarak Gayee | Jatin–Lalit | |
| 2001 | Ittefaq | Main Aashiq Hoon | Dilip Sen-Sameer Sen | |
| 2001 | Dial 100 | | Sunil Jha & Raja Sen | |
| 2002 | Dil Vil Pyar Vyar | Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai Kehna Hai Ab Ke Saawan Mein Kehna Hai (Solo) | Babloo Chakravorty | |
| 2002 | Jeena Sirf Merre Liye | Jeena Sirf Merre Liye Pyaar Mange | Nadeem-Shravan | |
| 2002 | Kaaboo | Aey Babu | Anchal Talesara | |
| 2002 | Company | Pyar Pyar Mein | Sandeep Chowta | |
| 2002 | Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai? | Aarzoo | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | |
| 2002 | Kya Yehi Pyaar Hai | Meri Tarah Tum Bhi | Sajid–Wajid | |
| 2002 | Gunaah | Hamne Tumko Dil Ye De Diya Jab Dil Churaya | Anand Raj Anand | |
| 2002 | Deewangee | Dholi O Dholi | Ismail Darbar | |
| | Santana | Phaguna re Phaguna | Malay Mishra | Mohammad Mohsin |
| 2003 | Dil Ka Rishta | Dil Ka Rishta (Sad) | Nadeem-Shravan | |
| 2003 | Hungama | Pari Pari Hai Ek Pari | Nadeem-Shravan | |
| 2003 | Chori Chori | Aate Aate | Sajid–Wajid | |
| 2003 | Out of Control | Tera Chandsa Yeh Chehera Kudhi Vi Soni Tu Mera Hai Sanam | Anand Raj Anand | |
| 2003 | Kucch To Hai | Hai Rey | Anu Malik | |
| 2003 | Leena On The Chhuk Chhuk Mix | Leena O Leena Tum Aa Gaye Ho Chhookar Mere Mann Ko Meri Pyaari Behniya Le Jaaynge | Harry Anand | Remix video which had TV actor Eijaz Khan in his first few roles |
| 2003 | DJ Hot Remix | Kehdoon Tumhain | Harry Anand | Remix video which had TV actor Eijaz Khan in his first few roles |
| 2003 | Escape from Taliban | Rimil Baba | Babul Bose | |
| 2003 | Ek Aur Ek Gyarah | Yeh Mann Mera Bada Hi Chaliyan | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | |
| 2003 | Andaaz | Aayega Maza Ab Barsaat Ka | Nadeem-Shravan | |
| 2003 | Zameen | Bas Ek Baar | Himesh Reshammiya | |
| 2003 | Wrong Number | Kabhi Jabhi Koi Chehra | Daboo Malik | |
| 2004 | Plan | Aane Wala Pal | Anand Raj Anand | |
| 2004 | Hum Tum | Hum Tum | Jatin–Lalit | |
| 2004 | DJ Hot Remix Vol.2 & The Return Of Kaanta Mix | Tere Jaisa Yaar Kahaan Kehdoon Tumhain Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankain Vaada Karo Nahi Chhodogi Tum Meraa Saath Khizaan Ke Phool Pe Leena O Leena | Harry Anand | Remix album |
| 2004 | Naam Gum Jaayegaa | Tera Palkein Jo Uthin | Anand–Milind | |
| 2004 | Suno Sasurjee | Saason Se Saasein | Sanjeev–Darshan | |
| 2004 | Sweet Honey Mix | Pardesiya | Harry Anand | Remix album |
| 2004 | Miss Spicy Mix | Pardesiya Aaj Rapat Jaayn | Harry Anand | Remix album featuring Rakhi Sawant in one of her first few roles |
| 2004 | Baby Love – Ek Pardesi Mera Dil Le Gaya | Lekar Hum Deewanaa Dil Yeh Raat Bheegi Bheegi | Remix album | |
| 2004 | DJ Aqeel – Disco 82 | Disco 82 | DJ Aqeel | Remix album |
| 2004 | Play Gal Mix | Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon (Version 2) | Harry Anand | Remix album |
| 2004 | Rok Sako To Rok Lo | Haan Mujhe Thaam Le Rok Sako To Rok Lo | Jatin–Lalit | |
| 2005 | Vaada | Main Ishq Uska | Himesh Reshammiya | |
| 2005 | DJ Hot Remix Vol 3 | Aray Yaar | Harry Anand | Remix album |
| 2005 | Chaahat – Ek Nasha | Dil Ki Baat | Anand Raj Anand | |
| 2005 | Chehraa | Kabhi Khamosh Baithogi | Anu Malik | |
| 2005 | Zameer | Dil Ke Badle Dil To Tere Pyar Ne Deewana Zindagi Ke Faisle Mein | Jatin–Lalit | |
| 2005 | DJ Hot Remix Vol 4 | Pardesiya Khizzaan Ke Phool Pe | Harry Anand | Remix album |
| 2005 | Dus | Chhaam Se | Vishal-Shekhar | |
| 2005 | Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya | Teri Meri Love Story | Himesh Reshammiya | |
| 2005 | 7½ Phere | Tera Saath Hai Kitna Pyare | Shantanu Moitra | |
| 2006 | Fanaa | Chanda Chamke | Jatin–Lalit | |
| 2006 | Bombay Vikings – Zara Nazron Se Kahdo | Kehdoon Tumhain Pardesiya Khizzaan Ke Phool Pe Leena O Leena | Harry Anand | Remix album |
| 2006 | Sanober & The Masti Express | Pardesiya | Harry Anand | Remix album |
| 2006 | Vivah | Hamari Shaadi Mein | Ravindra Jain | |
| 2006 | 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

| Year | Film | Songs | Composers | Co-Singers |
| 2001 | Jamaibabu Jindabad | "Jamaibabu Jindabad" | Babul Bose | Priya Bhattacharya |
| 2001 | Jamaibabu Jindabad | "Sneher Chayay Bhalobasay" | Babul Bose | Priya Bhattacharya |
| 2001 | Pratibad | "Aasbe Ghare Khokon Sona" | Babul Bose | Sadhana Sargam |
| 2001 | Pratibad | "Koli Kale Ghore Koli Haar" | Babul Bose | Arshad, Priya Bhattacharya |
| 2001 | Bachao | "Aar To Kodin Pore" | Babul Bose | Emon Saha |
| 2001 | Bachao | "Amar Ekdike Prithibi" | Babul Bose | Emon Saha |
| 2002 | Devdas | N/A | Babul Bose | |
| 2002 | Barkane | "Ki Name Dakbo Tomake" | Babul Bose | |
| 2002 | Annadata | "Hate Chabi Niye Bose" | Babul Bose | |
| 2002 | Annadata | "Amader Katha Sudhu Mane Rekho" | Babul Bose | Sadhana Sargam, Deepa Narayan |
| 2002 | Kurukshetra | "Kokhono Megh Kokhono Rodh" | Ashok Bhadra | |
| 2003 | Champion | "Kobe Je Amar Naam" | S. P. Venkatesh | |
| 2003 | Sangee | "Bombay Kapiye" | S. P. Venkatesh | |
| 2003 | Sangee | "Kere Nili" (Happy) | S. P. Venkatesh | Mano |
| 2003 | Guru | "Takei Bale Bhalobasa" | Sadhna Sargam | Babul Bose |
| 2004 | Dadu No. 1 | "Oi Chokhete Misti Hasi" | Malay Ganguly | Shreya Ghoshal |
| 2004 | Dadu No. 1 | "Ae Bhai Re Are Bol Na Re" | Malay Ganguly | Udit Narayan |
| 2004 | Dadu No. 1 | "Aj Aei Shubhodine" | Malay Ganguly | Shreya Ghoshal, Udit Narayan |
| 2005 | Swapno | "Muche Jaowa Dinguli" | Hemanta Mukherjee, Madhu Mukherjee | |
| 2005 | Swapno | "O Akash Sona Sona" | Hemanta Mukherjee, Madhu Mukherjee | Shaan |
| 2005 | Yuddho | "Tomar O Chokhete" | Jeet Gannguli | Sadhana Sargam |
| 2005 | Yuddho | "Sure Sure Aaj O Mon" | Jeet Gannguli | Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Jeet Gannguli, Sadhana Sargam |
| 2005 | Manik | "Subho Janmodin" | Babul Bose | |
| 2005 | Manik | "Tomake Peye Chena Prithibi" | Babul Bose | Shreya Ghoshal |
| 2005 | Manik | "Ke Dekheche Age" | Babul Bose | |
| 2005 | Manik | "Kauke Bhalo Laage" | Babul Bose | Shreya Ghoshal, Priya Bhattacharya |
| 2006 | Kranti | "Prithibi Bodle Geche" | Jeet Gannguli | Shreya Ghoshal |
| 2006 | Hero | "Aaha Mori Sundori" | Jeet Gannguli | Sabeha |
| 2007 | I Love You | "Ekta Kotha Bolbo" | Jeet Gannguli | Shreya Ghoshal |
| 2007 | I Love You | "Dhure oi Pahar Miseche" | Jeet Gannguli | Shreya Ghoshal, Sweta |
| 2008 | 10:10 | "Kolkata" | Drono Acharya | Sree |
| 2009 | Antaheen | "Alo Alo Rong Jomkalo Chand" (Pherari Mon) | Shantanu Moitra | Shreya Ghoshal |
| 2009 | Premer Kahini | "Aaj Swopno Sukher" | Jeet Gannguli | Mahalaxmi Iyer |
| 2009 | Premer Kahini | "Sangsar Sukhi Hoy Romonir" | Jeet Gannguli | Shreya Ghoshal |
| 2010 | Ogo Bodhu Sundori | "Ei To Jibon Jak Na Jedike" | Jeet Gannguli | |
| 2010 | Bolo Na Tumi Aamar | "Hate You" | Yuvan Shankar Raja, Jeet Gannguli (Arranger) | Monali Thakur |
| 2015 | Coke Studio@MTV Season 4 Album | I Wanna Fly | Anupam Roy | Sharmilee Supriyo |
| 2015 | Coke Studio@MTV Season 4 Album | Moner Manush | Lalon Fakir, Anupam Roy | Satyaki Banerjee, Anupam Roy |
| 2016 | Jodi Jantem Album | Jodi Jantem | Durbadal Chatterjee | |
| 2016 | Kotobaro Bhebechinu Album | Kotobaro Bhebechinu | Violin Brothers | |
| 2016 | Mone Robe Album | Mone Robe | Atanu Sen | Alka Yagnik |
| 2017 | Bengali Puja Song | Aaye Phirey Aaye | Jeet Gannguli | |
| 2018 | Kishore Kumar Junior | Sedino Akashe Chilo Kato Tara | Indraadip Dasgupta | |
| 2019 | BJP Theme Song | Ei Trinamool R Na | | |
| 2019 | Gotro | Mashima Hitler | Anindya Chatterjee | |
| 2019 | Gumnaami | Subh Sukh Chain | Ram Singh Thakuri | |

### 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.
| Year | Film | Songs | Composers | Director |
| 2002 | Santana | Phaguna Re Phaguna | | Mohammad Mohsin |
| 2006 | Rakhi Bandhili Mo Rakhiba Mana | | Malay Misra | |
| 2007 | To Bina Mo Kahani Adha | Kholide Tora Gabhaa | Santiraj Khosla | |
| 2007 | To Bina Mo Kahani Adha | Sabuthu Alagaa Aama Prema | Santiraj Khosla | |
| 2010 | Diwana | | Malay Misra | |
| 2011 | Balunga Toka | | Abhijit Mazumdar | |
| 2013 | Paribeni Kehi Alaga Kari | | | |

### 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.
* 2002: Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards: Best Male Playback for Tak Jhal Mishti
* 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.