Nay Toe

Nay Toe is a Rakhine film actor and comedian with the Burmese traditional anyeint troupe Htawara Hninzi. He won Myanmar Motion Picture Academy Awards for Best Actor four times: in 2009 with Moe Nya Einmet Myu, in 2015 with Nat Khat Mhar Tae Tite Pwal, in 2017 with Tar Tay Gyi and in 2024 with Bound. He also won the Star Award for the film Bridge of Clouds in 2018. He is one of the highest-paid actors in Myanmar.
Some of Nay Toe's films have received controversy for having racist or anti-Muslim themes, such as Aung Padin Inn Padaung and Oak Kyar Myet Pauk. In 2019, he signed an exclusive contract with the production company 7th Sense Creation, which has close ties with the military government of Myanmar.

Early life

Nay Toe was born on 9 September 1981 in Tawhtu village in Manaung Township, Cheduba Island, to ethnic Rakhine parents, U Aung Than and Daw Than Myaing. He is the second child of four siblings. His younger brother Min Thway is also an actor. He began his career as a model and eventually transitioned to cinema. He graduated from Yangon University with a B.Sc. in mathematics.

Career

Nay Toe moved to Yangon in 1999, where he joined the YIIK modeling agency and took singing lessons. He gained some titles in modeling contests. He modeled under the name Zin Min.
He released an album in 2000, but without any success.
He starred in music videos and began exploring acting. In 2001, he starred in his first movie, 3 Weeks.
Since 2007, Nay Toe has been acting with the Htawara Hninzi Burmese cultural dance show, in which he is one of the supporting comedians, along with Tun Tun, Moe Moe, Ye Lay and Kyaw Kyaw Bo. The director of the show is Maung Myo Min.
In 2011, he won an academy award for Best Leading Actor for his role in Moe Nya Einmet Myu. His role in the movie was said to be intricate, as the character he portrayed was suffering from multiple personality disorder and displayed three different personalities throughout the story.

Other projects

Television commercials

Nay Toe has appeared in several television commercials, including those for Myanmar Airways International, soft drinks, jewelry stores, fashion, and sports apparel.

Propaganda films

Nay Toe has appeared in a pro-regime propaganda film, Lotus at Dawn.
He has been criticized for starring in the film, especially by Burmese pro-democracy groups in exile. However, an anonymous source from the Burma film industry reported that the actors had been compelled to play their respective roles in the film by the SPDC, threatening the cast that they might be censored for at least one year if they refused to take part in the film.
Many leading Burmese actors and actresses took part in the film, including Lu Min, Pyay Ti Oo, Eindra Kyaw Zin, and Wyne Su Khine Thein.
Nay Toe acted in another propaganda film on the history of the Burmese Army called Kye Sin Mawgun ''. The film started with the Thirty Comrades during the independence struggle and ended with the current military regime.
Year Film Director Co-stars
2009 Ar Yone Oo Mhar Phu The Kyar Tin Than Oo Lwin Moe, Kyaw Ye Aung, Lu Min, Khant Sithu, Soe Myat Thuzar, Eindra Kyaw Zin
2010 Tu Hnaing Mel Thitsar Tin Aung Soe Nay Aung, Ye Aung, Khant Sithu, Kyaw Ye Aung, Hein Wai Yan
2010 Kye Sin Mawgun'' Soe Moe Lu Min, Pan Phyu, Eaindra Kyaw Zin, Thet Mon Myint
Publications
Nay Toe released his autobiography and fashion book, Un Tightened Doors, on 1 January 2011. The 21 chapters of the book review both his career and his personal life, including a large photo gallery. The book focuses on his religious insight into Buddhism as a devoted Buddhist.
Entertainment tours
Nay Toe traveled to Japan, Singapore and Malaysia in 2011 on entertainment tours. He has also been invited to Australia, Singapore, London, Malaysia, Japan and New Zealand.
Humanitarian work
Nay Toe's humanitarian work includes raising funds for those affected by the cyclones Nargis and Giri. He has also participated in various charity shows held in Burma and overseas. He donated to several retirement homes and orphanages as a celebration of winning the Academy Award in January 2011 in place of holding a lavish party. For his 30th birthday, he sponsored a place of worship in the center of his hometown.
Personal life
Personality
Nay Toe is introverted, reserved and reticent in nature; people often mistake him for being arrogant. This aura of coldness is how he got his nickname, "Ice Prince".
Relationships
He married Thae Su Myat Shwe on 5 February 2022, at their house in Yangon. Now, he has a son named Gon Shein Toe.
Hobbies and interests
Nay Toe has revealed his artistic ability and has held an interest in crafts since he was young, especially in paintings and sculptures. His favorite painting techniques are watercolor and acrylic. He has won prizes for his drawings and sculptures since primary school. Other hobbies include reading, photography, music and travelling. His favorite sport is swimming, and he also plays tennis and golf occasionally.
Religion
Nay Toe is known for being a pious Theravada Buddhist.
In his 2011 biography Un Tightened Doors, four chapters are devoted to his religious beliefs: Buddhist teachings that inspired him, and his experience and thoughts on Vipassanā meditation.
Nay Toe described Buddha as the most respectable and inspirational person in his life in the chapter "Character in My Religious Sight". In another chapter, "The Most Important Movie of Life from Vipassanā Point of View", he mentioned Vipassanā as a director of life that can guide people to achieve their inner peace and liberation, eventually attaining enlightenment through Vipassanā. In the chapter "Standard of Life", he emphasizes his belief that one's standard of life is determined by having knowledge of and practicing Vipassanā meditation rather than materialistic possession. In the "Vipassanā and Me" chapter, Nay Toe elaborates on why and how he practices Vipassanā meditation.
Filmography
Film
Year Film Director Co-stars
2005 Mingalaba Mee Pwar Sai Sai Kham Leng, Myo Sandi Kyaw
2006 Pan Pyo Thu To Alinkar Hein Soe
2006 Yaung Pyan Dar Khin Hla
2007 Moe Paw Khone Tat Ka Lite Chin Par Tal Nyunt Myanmar Nyi Nyi Aung Htun Htun, Ye Lay, Eaindra Kyaw Zin
2007 Wingaba Achit Nit Thu Ei Achit Ko Ko Chit Thein Han Min Maw Kynn, Eaindra Kyaw Zin, Thinzar Wint Kyaw
2007 Who is this man? Nyi Nyi Htun Lwin Eaindra Kyaw Zin
2008 Academy Shock Nyi Nyi Htun Lwin Ye Aung, Htun Htun, Eaindra Kyaw Zin, Thinzar Wint Kyaw, Chaw Yadanar
2008 Hna Lone Taar Si Yin Khan Wyne Eaindra Kyaw Zin
2008 Myint Mo Htet Ka Tha Ya Phu Thein Han Moh Moh Myint Aung, Htun Htun
2009 101 Nights with Mother-in-Law Mee Pwar Ye Aung, Soe Myat Thuzar, Soe Pyae Thazin
2009 Chair Wheel Thein Han
2009 Chit Lote Sa Tar Thein Han
2009 Kyo Kyar Taung Pan Khat Than Sin Yaw Mg Mg
2009 Moe Nya Einmet Myu Kyi Phyu Shin
2009 Mommy Shein Nyi Nyi Htun Lwin Yan Aung, Eaindra Kyaw Zin, Thinzar wint Kyaw
2009 Zaw Ka Ka Nay The Mee Pwar Nandar Hlaing, Min Thway
2010 Burmeton Khin Maung Oo, Soe Thein Htut Yan Aung, Htun Eaindra Bo, Thet Mon Myint
2010 New Model Nyunt Myanmar Nyi Nyi Aung Yan Aung, May Than Nu, Soe Myat Thuzar, Thinzar Wint Kyaw
2010 Good Shea Ta Met Nyi Nyi Htun Lwin Yan Aung, Ye Aung, May Thinzar Oo, Soe Moe Kyi, Kyaw Kyaw Bo, Moe Hay Ko
2010 Lar Htar Arr Bwarr Ko Zaw Wai Lu Kyaw, Nyi Nanda, Christina, Thet Mon Myint
2011 Falan Falan Phyit Dae A Chit Nyi Nyi Htun Lwin Yan Aung, Moht Moht Myint Aung, Eaindra Kyaw Zin
2011 Lar Htar Arr Bwarr Ko Zaw Wai Lu Kyaw, Soe Myat Nandar, Thet Mon Myint
2011 A Htar Pay Tae Sayar Gyi Ko Zaw Soe Pyae Thazin, May Than Nu, Moe Pyae Pyae Maung
2011 Zut Pae Ko Zaw Thet Mon Myint, May Than Nu
2011 Change Thein Han Kyaw Kyaw Bo, Eaindra Kyaw Zin
2012 Hna Lone Taar Abidan Wyne Phway Phway
2012 Naing Ngan Kyaw Yout Shin Min Thamee Mee Phwar Aye Myat Thu, Soe Myat Thuzar, Aung Lwin
2012 A Lan Lun A Lun Lan Nyi Nyi Htun Lwin Wutt Hmone Shwe Yi, Melody, Moe Hay Ko
2012 Aung Padin Inn Padaung Win Tun Tun Thet Mon Myint, Bay Lu Wa, Kin Kaung
2013 White Castle Ko Zaw Pyay Ti Oo, Eaindra Kyaw Zin, Yoon Yoon
2013 A Htar A Thit Nae Hna Khar Chit Mal Nyi Nyi Htun Lwin Min Maw Kun, Wutt Hmone Shwe Yi, Chit Thu Wai
2013 12 Nar Ye Tha Tot Thar Nyi Nyi Htun Lwin Thet Mon Myint
2013 Satan's Dancer Wyne Thet Mon Myint
2014 39 Bite Pu Nyunt Myanmar Nyi Nyi Aung Wutt Hmone Shwe Yi, Wai Lu Kyaw, Chaw Yadanar, Soe Myat Thuzar
2014 Mar Yar Project Wyne Thet Mon Myint, Phway Phway
2014 Black Sheep Win Tun Tun Thet Mon Myint, Khine Thin Kyi, Thinzar Wint Kyaw
2014 Ko Tint Toh Super Yat Kwat Kyaw Zaw Lin Many actors
2015 Online Paw Ka Wit Nyin Nyi Nyi Htun Lwin Phway Phway, Zay Ye Htet, Chan Mi Mi Ko, Aung Lwin, Nay San, Soe Moe Kyi
2015 I'm Rose, Darling Wyne Phway Phway, Yoon Yoon, Heavy Phyo
2015 Slaves of Cupid Wyne Sai Sai Kham Leng, Phway Phway
2015 Nat Khat Mhar Tae Tite Pwal Nyunt Myanmar Nyi Nyi Aung Thet Mon Myint, Yadanar Phyu Phyu Aung
2016 Oak Kyar Myet Pauk Nyunt Myanmar Nyi Nyi Aung Nay Min, Htun Htun, Thet Mon Myint
2016 A Chit Sit Thein Han Shwe Hmone Yati, Hsu Myat Noe Oo
2016 Anubis Lu Min Lu Min, Shwe Hmone Yati, Hsu Myat Noe Oo
2016 From Bangkok to Mandalay Chartchai Ketnust Sai Sai Kham Leng, Wutt Hmone Shwe Yi, Nan Wun
2016 Shwe Din Gar Ko Htway Khinn Ka Sar Mal Nyi Nyi Htun Lwin Ei Chaw Po, Nay San, Kyaw Kyaw
2017 La Yaung Phyar Tae Inle Mhar Nyunt Myanmar Nyi Nyi Aung Wutt Hmone Shwe Yi, Wah Zin
2017 Kyun Nyunt Myanmar Nyi Nyi Aung Myint Myat, Wutt Hmone Shwe Yi
2017 Kyauk Kyauk Kyauk Aww Ratha Htun Htun, Min Thway, Kyaw Kyaw, Khin Wint Wah, Nan Myat Phyo Thin, Nan Khin Zayar
2017 Aung Say Paing Say Maung Myo Min Lu Min, Nyi Htut Kaung, Ei Chaw Po, Khine Thin Kyi, Min Yaza
2017 Tar Tay Gyi Wyne Shwe Thamee
2017 Eternal Mother Sin Yaw Maung Maung May Than Nu, Ye Aung, Wutt Hmone Shwe Yi
2018 Mway Chat Ka Taw Lon Lonn Tal Kyaw Zaw Lin Thet Mon Myint, Aung Lwin, War War Aung
2018 Koe Zat Lann Mar Ko Thar Zat Lite Htun Htun, Wutt Hmone Shwe Yi
2018 Bridge of Clouds Aww Ya Tha Htun Htun, Khin Wint Wah
2018 Mone Lote Ya Yin Mone Chin Tal Aung Zaw Lin Min Oo, Thinzar Wint Kyaw, Yadanar My
2018 T Kyat Steel Thinzar Wint Kyaw, Shwe Thamee, May Myat Noe, Nang Khin Zay Yar, Yin Let
2018 A Mone Tway Khauk Htar Lite Thar Nyi Moe Hay Ko
2018 Mi Na Gyi Paing Phyo Thu, Ye Aung, Min Oo
2018 Clinging with Hate Aww Ratha Min Thway, Kyaw Kyaw Bo, Phway Phway, Aye Wutyi Thaung
2018 Killing Field Thar Nyi Min Thway, Si Phyo, Nay Ye, Htoo Char, Paing Phyo Thu, Thet Mon Myint
2019 Tar Too Kyaw Zaw Lin Thet Mon Myint, Lwin Moe
2019 Pyone Shwan Yay Pyaw Ye Lar Win Tun Tun Shwe Hmone Yati, Aye Myat Thu, Kyaw Kyaw Bo
2019 Nha Par Thwar Update Kyaw Zaw Lin Wutt Hmone Shwe Yi, Aung Lwin
2019 The Dark Cinema Pyae Zaw Phyo Kyaw Kyaw Bo, Min Thway, Riya Ray
2019 Responsible Citizen Steel Min Thway, Min Maw Kun, Htun Htun, Nay Htet Lin
2019 A Htet Tan Sar Nay Paing Nyi Htut Khaung, Myat Kay Thi Aung
2019 Sponsor Aung Zaw Lin Paing Phyo Thu, Ye Lay, Myat Kay Thi Aung, Kyaw Kyaw, Zin Wine
2019 The Greatest Love Pwint Theingi Zaw Nay Chi Oo, Soe Myat Thuzar, Ye Aung
2019 Box No. 88 Win Lwin Htet Eaindra Kyaw Zin, Htun Htun, Thar Nyi, Jenny
2019 Bo Nay Toe Steel Thet Mon Myint, Paing Phyo Thu, Nay Myo Aung, Tun Ko Ko, Min Oo, Nay Ye
2019 Chi Nyunt Myanmar Nyi Nyi Aung Thet Mon Myint, Shwe Thamee
2019 Kyauk Kyauk Kyauk 2: Journey to the Death Aww Ratha May Myint Mo, Nan Su Oo, Htun Htun
2020 Myet Nu Pwint Theingi Zaw Wutt Hmone Shwe Yi
2020 Ywar Zaw Gyi Kyaw Zaw Lin Eaindra Kyaw Zin, Nay Naw, Yoon Shwe Yi
2023 Never Give Up Steel Nay Myo Aung, Htun Ko Ko, Soe Myat Thuzar
2023 Thel Thel Lote Kyaw Zaw Lin Kyaw Htet Zaw, Soe Myat Thuzar, Shwe Hmone Yati
2023 Overdue Rain Nay Hein Moe Hay Ko, Ye Aung
2024 Lar Khaw Thu Aww Ratha Yair Yint Aung, Than Thar Moe Theint
2024 Bound Aww Ratha Naw Phaw Eh Htar, Poe Mamhe Thar
2024 Dream Rhyme Win Lwin Htet Hlwan Paing, Ni Ni Khin Zaw
2025 Ghost Movie Khin Hlaing Kyaw Kyaw Bo, Wai Lar Ri
2025 Nganawin Nga Toe Soe Moe Min Si Phyo, Hein Thiha, Htet Htet Htun, Chue Sitt Han
2025 Aung Si Aung Maung Khin Hlaing Phyo Ngwe Soe, Tyron Bejay, Phyo Lay, Naw Phaw Eh Htar, Nay Chi Shoon Lak
2025 Night Mingalar D D Htet Aung Soe Myat Thuzar, Shwe Thamee, Yadanar Bo, Yamone Myint Myat

Year	Film	Director	Co-stars
2009	Ar Yone Oo Mhar Phu The Kyar	Tin Than Oo	Lwin Moe, Kyaw Ye Aung, Lu Min, Khant Sithu, Soe Myat Thuzar, Eindra Kyaw Zin
2010	Tu Hnaing Mel Thitsar	Tin Aung Soe	Nay Aung, Ye Aung, Khant Sithu, Kyaw Ye Aung, Hein Wai Yan
2010	Kye Sin Mawgun''	Soe Moe	Lu Min, Pan Phyu, Eaindra Kyaw Zin, Thet Mon Myint