Chapal Bhaduri began portraying female characters at the age of 16 and continued his acting career despite societal stigma and changing times. In mid-20th century West Bengal, India, it was common for male actors to play leading female roles on stage. Among them, Chapal Bhaduri was the most renowned. At one point, he was famously known as Chapal Rani, the unrivaled queen of Bengali folk theatre. Jatra, a traditional traveling theatre form popular in rural Bengal, drew large crowds with its mythological performances accompanied by music. However, women were forbidden from participating publicly in acting or dancing, so men performed female roles and were referred to as ‘male queens.’ Chapal Bhaduri was considered the undisputed king—or rather queen—of this genre.
Born in Kolkata in 1939, Chapal inherited a passion for acting from his mother, Prabha Devi, an established theatre artist. By the age of 16, he was already on stage. His naturally gentle demeanor and soft voice suited female roles perfectly, helping him appear convincingly as women on stage. However, early on he struggled to look authentically feminine, resorting to worn fabric pieces and makeup like kohl and tika. Over his career, he portrayed queens, goddesses, and even brothel madams. He considered femininity an integral part of his artistry. His performances made audiences laugh and cry, and often provoked deeper reflection.
By the late 1960s, theatre began to see the entry of women actors. Gradually, society stopped accepting bearded ‘queens’ on stage. During an early performance, Chapal was publicly humiliated when audience members threw mud pots at him, forcing him off the stage. After reaching great heights, Chapal’s life became difficult. Many of his contemporaries fell into poverty, but he refused to give up. He worked as a library cleaner and once walked the streets dressed as Sheetala Mata, a folk goddess, blessing people while begging for food and money.
Chapal’s personal life was equally complex. He never apologized for his love or sexuality. Admirers frequently proposed or offered relationships. He maintained a long-term romantic relationship lasting more than 30 years with a man who had his own family. Yet Chapal never identified with third-gender or any modern labels, insisting simply, “I am who I am,” sometimes moved to tears by this truth. Eventually, his setbacks proved temporary. In 1999, filmmakers Nabin Kishore and later Kaushik Ganguly created documentaries and films based on his life, bringing him renewed attention. To new generations, he emerged as a queer icon and a courageous individual. Now aged 80, Chapal Bhaduri lives in a Kolkata old-age home, far from his childhood home, but his memories remain vivid. Writer Sandeep Roy has documented Chapal’s extraordinary journey in his recent book, Chapal Rani: The Last Queen of Bengali.
