There are provided an electronic device and a display controlling apparatus and method. The display controlling apparatus that is driven in a paper mode and includes a backlight includes an image processing device that first converts a gradation value of an input image so as to have image characteristics of the paper mode, and second converts the first converted gradation value of the input image so as to have a upper limit gradation value is scaled up to the maximum gradation value, and a backlight brightness determining unit that determines brightness of light irradiated by the backlight to be lowered in response to the second conversion of the gradation value.