Ne Win was born in Hinthada (Henzada), Ayeyarwady Division, the son of Daw Tin, a teacher, and U Thet Pe, a police officer.

He played for the Burmese national team in 1955[1] and won the Best Player award given by the Burma Football Federation in 1956.

Director Chinn Sein cast Ne Win, a nationally well-known footballer, to play as the main character in the film about a love story between a beautiful girl and a carefree Rangoon University athlete.

The film's immense popularity instantly made Ne Win to become of the most influential actor in the Burmese entertainment industry.

Kawleikgyin Ne Win was married to Khin Marla, daughter of the late Bo Zeya, a member of the legendary Thirty Comrades and military leader of the Communist Party of Burma.