Wahid Ibn Reza, popularly known as Bappy amongst friends, family and colleagues, is a writer, actor, and filmmaker. "I am an 'idea guy'," he says." I don't call myself a talented person. I am simply a hard worker who believes in the word 'smile'."
After completing a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from BUET, the next step for Bappy, naturally, would have been to obtain a Master's degree. "I was always interested in films," he says. "Halfway through my BSc, I realised that I was actually wasting my time!" He did not drop out, however. After graduating from BUET, Bappy decided to start all over again and applied for a BFA in Film Production at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Bappy was so thrilled studying film, he also made the Dean's list at UBC for the academic year 2011-2012.
The all-rounder Bappy wrote, directed, executive produced and starred in his graduation short-- 'What am I doing here?' which won the Best Cinematography award at the Persistence of Vision (POV) Film festival. The film was short listed for the Toronto International Film Festival and got accepted into the International Student Film Festival – Pisekin Czech Republic in 2013. The film also got accepted into Golden Egg Film Festival, LA 2014 where, it has been nominated for Best Short Film, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director of a Short film, Best Lead Actor and Best Supporting Actress categories. "At present, I am working on multiple shorts and a few features, which are in the developing stage," he adds. "I hope to shoot my first feature by 2015-2016."
Wahid Ibn Reza Bappy has worked with the legendary writer and director, Humayun Ahmed. He is well known for playing the famous character Himu, created by Humayun Ahmed. In fact, he would actually dress himself in yellow at the Ekushay Boi Mela every February, to honour the character and also the writer himself. He was also the lead in his 26- episode drama serial 'Chandra Karigor', and several other television dramas. Bappy was also showcased in several ad-films, fictions and non fictions such as BBC Buzz. In Canada. He worked on a popular web-series 'Fools for Hire' and won Outstanding Guest Actor award at LA Web Fest.
Currently, working for the Oscar winning company, Moving Picture Company (MPC) as a Production Coordinator and working on multiple features from major studios such as Universal, 20th Century Fox and Warner Brothers, Bappy's chance entry into North American Television occurred when he did an internship for NBC Universal and worked on two television shows-- 'Suits' and 'Defiance'. "I also worked as a PA for Cartoon Network's hit new show 'Rick and Morty'."
Clearly, Wahid Ibn reza Bappy wants to be a major part of Hollywood productions. "And I am halfway there!" he says. "Once I start producing on my own, I will be able to present Bangladeshi films to the rest of the world."