Iftekhar Rafsan

Iftekhar Rafsan
ইফতেখার রাফসান
Rafsan in 2022
Born (1997-07-06) 6 July 1997
Dhaka, Bangladesh
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2017–present
Genres
Subscribers3.41 million
Views584.5 million
Last updated: 24 April 2026

Iftekhar Rafsan (Bengali: ইফতেখার রাফসান; Bengali pronunciation: [i̯ pʰ t æ kʰ r]RAF-san; born 6 August 1997), known online as RafsanTheChotobhai, is a Bangladeshi YouTuber, media personality, businessmen and model, best known for his food vlogging.[1][2][3][4] He started creating content for YouTube in 2017, and as of April 2026, has more than 3.41 million subscribers.[5]

Early life and education

Rafsan was born and grew up in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He studied Computer Science and Media and Communications at Independent University, Bangladesh.[6]

Career

Rafsan created his YouTube channel in 2014, and started creating content from 2017. He mostly posts videos of food reviews and also engaged in brand promotion, travel vlogging, modelling, and television dramas.[7]

In 2020, Rafsan collaborated with Will Sonbuchner of the YouTube channel Best Ever Food Review Show.[8][9] In 2022, Rafsan hosted Emirati content creator Khalid Al-Ameri during his visit to Bangladesh, including at an iftar held at Rafsan’s home.[10]

In 2021, Rafsan made his television acting debut in the Eid-ul-Adha drama The Teacher, aired on NTV, directed by Mabrur Rashid Bannah, and produced by Underground Creative Factory, in which he portrayed the role of a student opposite Abdun Noor Shajal.[11] Prior to his acting work, he appeared in television and online commercials, stating in interviews that he participated in approximately 30 to 40 such productions.[12]

Rafsan ventured into electrolyte beverage business in 2023 with the brand name "BLU".[13][14][15]

In June 2024, the food inspector of the Dhaka South City Corporation filed a case in the Pure Food Court of Dhaka against Rafsan, accusing him for the production of electrolyte drinks under the brand name "BLU" without certification from Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution or Directorate General of Drug Administration.[15] A warrant was issued for his arrest; however, he was granted anticipatory bail and fined ৳1.6 million by the court.[16][17][18] The case was subsequently closed following the payment of the fine.[19] Following the controversy and legal action by the government, he relaunched the brand in 2026 with a modified formulation of the flavored drink, obtaining certification from BSTI.

In September-October 2025, Rafsan hosted Pakistani actress Hania Aamir at his home in Dhaka, where she appeared in a vlog featuring Bangladeshi home-cooked food prepared by his mother.[20] During her visit to Bangladesh for promotional events, Rafsan also accompanied her to multiple locations across the country, documenting local cuisine, culture, and experiences; the vlog gained significant online attention and positive reactions from audiences in both Bangladesh and Pakistan.[21][22]

In February 2026, Rafsan travelled to Pakistan and collaborated with local creators, including Mubashir Saddique, and explored rural settings while documenting traditional hospitality and large-scale village-style cooking. In the vlog, he presented Pakistani cuisine as rich and meat-oriented, and compared it with Bangladeshi food by noting similarities in spices and flavors alongside differences in cooking methods, scale, and serving practices.[23]

Personal life

In June 2024, Rafsan gifted his parents a luxury Audi car reportedly worth around BDT 20 million, which drew widespread attention on social media. Several media outlets alleged that his parents had an outstanding bank loan exceeding BDT 30 millions and the issue quickly became widely discussed online.[24] Rafsan later addressed the matter in a video, where he denied claims about the car’s reported price. He stated that the loan case was still under legal procedure, and his family would be able to repay the loans once the exact amount is confirmed by the bank.[25]

Recognition

In February 2024, he received the "Best Content Creator award" in the food and recipe category at the second edition of the Blender's Choice–The Daily Star OTT and Digital Content Awards.[26]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Rafsan the ChotoBhai: It was challenging and that's why it is called acting". The Business Standard. 18 July 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
  2. ↑ "Iftekhar Rafsan: I want to make my viewers a part of my journey". The Business Standard. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
  3. ↑ "Rafsan becomes first Bangladeshi invited to YouTube APAC HQ". The Daily Star. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
  4. ↑ "Rafsan the ChotoBhai to debut on small screen". The Business Standard. 6 July 2021. Archived from the original on 26 January 2025. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
  5. ↑ "Rafsan TheChotoBhai". YouTube. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
  6. ↑ "World on a Plate". The Business Standard. 24 June 2023. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  7. ↑ "Rafsan highlights Bangladeshi jamdani at YouTube Asia Pacific HQ". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  8. ↑ "BEST EVER FOOD REVIEW SHOW COLLAB!!". YouTube. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  9. ↑ Saifullah, Md (18 July 2022). "'Kub Balo Mama, Kub Balo'". Prothomalo. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  10. ↑ "Khalid Al-Ameri in Bangladesh to observe last days of Ramadan". The Business Standard. 30 April 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  11. ↑ "Rafsan the ChotoBhai to debut on small screen". The Business Standard. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  12. ↑ "Rafsan the ChotoBhai: It was challenging and that's why it is called acting". The Business Standard. 18 July 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  13. ↑ "Unauthorized electrolyte drink marketing: Arrest warrant against Rafsan the Chotobhai". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  14. ↑ Reporter, Staff (18 May 2024). "BLU responds to allegations | Entertainment & Lifestyle". Somoy News (in Bengali). Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  15. 1 2 "Arrest warrant against Rafsan the ChotoBhai for marketing electrolyte drink". The Daily Star. 13 June 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  16. ↑ "Rafsan secures anticipatory bail in unauthorised electrolyte drink sale case". The Business Standard. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  17. ↑ "Rafsan TheChotoBhai fined 16L over unauthorized drink 'Blu'". Dhaka Tribune. 28 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  18. ↑ "Rafsan TheChotoBhai faces arrest warrant". Prothom Alo. 13 June 2024. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
  19. ↑ Today, Bangladesh (28 August 2024). "Case against BLU beverages dismissed in court with a fine". The Bangladesh Today. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  20. ↑ Reporter, Staff (2 October 2025). "Hania Aamir visits Bangladeshi YouTuber Rafsan's home". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  21. ↑ Reporter, DeshKal News. "What is Hania Amir doing in Dhaka?". DeshKal News. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  22. ↑ Reporter, Web (2 October 2025). "Hania Aamir wins hearts in Bangladesh with sweet moments at YouTuber's home". Daily Pakistan English News. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  23. ↑ Staff, Reporter (27 February 2026). "'একেবারেই ভিন্ন এক পাকিস্তানকে' দেখলেন রাফসান দ্য ছোট ভাই". BBC Bangla. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  24. ↑ "How Facebook-based citizen journalism influences national issues". The Business Standard. 9 July 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  25. ↑ "From Audi to Goat: When showing off properties come with consequences in Bangladesh". The Business Standard. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  26. ↑ "Rafsan highlights Bangladeshi jamdani at YouTube Asia Pacific HQ". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
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