[🇧🇩] Bangladesh Film Industry

[Saif]

I have never seen fans as crazy as those in Bangladesh: Burak Özçivit

Burak Özçivit, who plays Osman Bey, has made a strong impression on Bangladeshi fans with his exceptional acting and impressive physique. When Burak came to Bangladesh to attend a press conference for Singer Bangladesh, fans eagerly awaited his arrival.

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I have never seen fans as crazy as those in Bangladesh: Burak Özçivit

Photos: Collected

The Turkish series "Kuruluş: Osman" enjoys a huge fan base in Bangladesh, thanks to the drama being dubbed in Bangla on various TV channels and YouTube.

Burak Özçivit, who plays Osman Bey, has made a strong impression on Bangladeshi fans with his exceptional acting and impressive physique. When Burak came to Bangladesh to attend a press conference for Singer Bangladesh, fans eagerly awaited his arrival.

Hundreds of people gathered on the streets to catch a glimpse of Burak. The actor arrived like a king, traveling through Dhaka in an open jeep to greet and interact with his fans, waving and greeting them along the way.

At the press conference, he told the media that while he has fans all over the world, he has never witnessed such enthusiastic fandom in other countries.

"I have been to many countries, including Pakistan, but I have never seen so many passionate fans as I have in Bangladesh," said the actor.

Burak also stated, "No matter who I work with, there is a need for loyalty. Beko is a trusted company, and I have brought this trusted organisation to Bangladesh as Singer Beko for you."

At the press conference, Singer Bangladesh, a subsidiary of Arcelik under Türkiye's Koç Group, announced the initiative titled "Transformation Journey with Burak Özçivit." Burak became a partner in this journey by participating in several creative projects.
The introduction of a new concept store, corporate office, and manufacturing plant marks the foundation of this transformation.

MHM Fairoz, Managing Director and CEO of Singer Bangladesh Limited, and Handan Abdurrahmanoğlu, Director of South Asia Regional Marketing, Business Transformation, and Growth at Arcelik, were present at the event.​

 

[Saif]

25 years of Shakib Khan: 249 films, hits, and more to come

Dhallywood ‘King’ Shakib Khan has been single-handedly dominating our film industry for over two decades now. The actor, who began his career with Sohanur Rahman Sohan’s "Ananta Bhalobasha" (May 28, 1999), notably completed 25 years in Dhallywood, today. To celebrate the momentous occasion of...

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25 years of Shakib Khan: 249 films, hits, and more to come

Photo: Collected

Megastar Shakib Khan has been single-handedly dominating our film industry for over two decades now. The actor, who began his career with Sohanur Rahman Sohan's "Ananta Bhalobasha" ( May 28, 1999), has thus completed 25 years in Dhallywood, today. With years of experience under his belt, the star remains dedicated to immersing himself in his characters, captivating audiences worldwide, and consistently setting records at the box office.

Touted as the number one hero of Bangladesh, Shakib Khan has earned the respect of his contemporaries for his formidable performances on the silver screen. From working in Pan-India films to collaborating with major giants like SVF, Chorki, and Alpha i on big-budget projects, Shakib Khan consistently proves to his critics and peers alike that he is here to stay.

He has won four National Film Awards for his exceptional performances in "Bhalobaslei Ghor Bandha Jay Na", "Khodar Pore Ma", "Aro Bhalobashbo Tomai", and "Swatta".

Shakib Khan has appeared in nearly 249 movies. His latest film, "Rajkumar", was released last Eid-ul-Fitr. Following the success of his last two movies, "Leader: Amie Bangladesh," directed by Topu Khan in 2023, and Himel Ashraf's "Priyotoma", the actor increased his remuneration fee to Tk 1 crore, which remains unchanged. According to the production company Versatile Media, their movie "Priyotoma" has performed exceptionally well, grossing Tk 41 crore worldwide.

Another fascinating aspect of Shakib Khan's career is that in the films where he has portrayed lead roles, a remarkable 94 movies were released during the Eid festivities.

The star enjoys a fan base in both Kolkata and Bangladesh and his film's songs are quite popular in both Bengals. Shakib Khan and Misha Sawdagar's hero-villain arc pairing was seen in 126 movies together. Notably, he is the first actor from Bangladesh to work in the first Pan-Indian movie directed by Anonno Mamun called "Dorod".

The Dhallywood megastar has acted opposite 70 heroines from Bangladesh and abroad. However, he has worked with Apu Biswas the most. They have acted in 72 movies amongst which their notable movies are "Koti Takar Kabin", "Pitar Ason", "Tomar Jonno Morte Pari", and "My Name is Khan", amongst others.

Shakib Khan and Shobnom Yesmin Bubly have worked in 11 movies amidst which "Bossgiri", "Bir", "Password", and "Leader: Amie Bangladesh" are notable.

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[Saif]

Humayun Faridee: Remembering the ‘actors’ actor’

Humayun Faridee, a luminary of Bangladeshi stages, screens, and television, took his final breath on February 13, 2012, in Dhaka. Yet his physical departure does not signify erasure. His creations and artistry have transcended time, rendering him immortal in the hearts of his admirers. While...

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Humayun Faridee: Remembering the 'actors' actor'

Photos: Collected

"Nothing in this universe is as serene, as profoundly beautiful, as death. For death is inevitable. If you are born, you must die. Remembering this truth, we would not stray into sin. To embrace the inevitable is the truest wisdom, and in it lies the deepest peace," the prodigal son of Bengal, the late Humayun Faridee once shared on death in a profound interview.

"Fearing death is a folly. The wise do not fear its approach. Embrace it, accept it, welcome it, and you will discover an extraordinary beauty in life," the artiste elaborated who left us on a spring evening 14 years ago.

Humayun Faridee, a luminary of Bangladeshi stages, screens, and television, took his final breath on February 13, 2012, in Dhaka. Yet his physical departure does not signify erasure. His creations and artistry have transcended time, rendering him immortal in the hearts of his admirers. While literal victory over death is unattainable, Faridee achieved a form of immortality through the enduring legacy of his work.

Born on May 29, 1952, in Dhaka, Faridee pursued his education in Economics at Jahangirnagar University. It was during his university years that he became involved with theatre under the tutelage of one of the brightest stars of the Bangladeshi theatre scene, Natyacharya Selim Al Deen. On stage, he delivered iconic performances in plays such as "Tritirtha", "Kittankhola", "Muntasir Fantasy", and "Keramat Mangal".

Faridee, a charismatic actor often hailed as the actor's actor and an ideal artiste, captivated many with his expressive gestures, hearty laughter, and compelling personality. His personal life stories have inspired countless individuals. His journey began on stage at the tender age of 12, performing his first play in a neighbourhood theatre in Kishoreganj in 1964.

During his school years, Faridee directed his first play, "Bhoot". By 1976, he emerged as one of the key organisers of the inaugural theatre festival at Jahangirnagar University. It was during his university days that he became affiliated with Dhaka Theatre, further showcasing his acting prowess nationwide as a member of the Bangladesh Village Theatre (Gramm Theatre). His formal journey commenced with Jahangirnagar University's inter-theatre competition, where he wrote, directed, and acted in the play "Atmastha O Hironmoyider Brittanto", which was adjudged the best amongst five competing plays.

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[Saif]

There is a huge market for Bangla films, we need to utilise it: Goutam Ghose

In an interview with The Daily Star during his recent visit to Dhaka, Goutam discussed the golden era of Bangla films, their present and future, the difficulties Bangla film productions face, as well as his own vision. The director, widely known for his films like “Padma Nadir Majhi”, “Antarjali...

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There is a huge market for Bangla films, we need to utilise it: Goutam Ghose

Photos: Prabir Das
Bangla cinema is currently evolving, with constant experiments rejuvenating it, according to acclaimed filmmaker Goutam Ghose.

In an interview with The Daily Star during his recent visit to Dhaka, Goutam discussed the golden era of Bangla films, their present and future, the difficulties Bangla film productions face, as well as his own vision.

The director, widely known for his films like "Padma Nadir Majhi", "Antarjali Jatra", "Moner Manush", "Sankhachil", "Ma Bhumi", "Paar" and "Kaalbela", stated that the international standard of Bangla films has declined.

"Experiments in Bangla cinema are commonplace-- young directors in both Dhaka and Kolkata are trying to make new types of movies with new dimensions in form and content. However, it's not nearly as much as it used to be in the old days," said the filmmaker.

Comparing Bangla movies to the cinemas of South India and Maharashtra, Goutam opined that the latter are performing better.

"Perception used to change with new technologies, and new perception is required for new technologies. I hope that a transformation will occur in Bangla movies," the director said, stressing the need for collective efforts by both West Bengal and Bangladesh for the betterment of Bangla cinema, and diversifying its market.

"We don't know proper marketing and how to conduct business," Goutam remarked, citing this as the primary reason for Bangla films' underperformance.

"The number of Tamil-Telugu speakers is far fewer than the Bangla audience, but they invest Tk 100-200 crores in a movie, and easily get a return on their investment," said the director, adding, "Tamil-Telugu speakers all over the world watch their movies in cinema halls. Their films are being released in halls across North America, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia, etc."

"Directors of Kerala are doing well," he said, mentioning Payal Kapadia, who won the Grand Prix award at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. "On the contrary, Bangalis across the globe don't watch Bangla movies; they watch pirated versions, or prefer television and OTT platforms".

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[Saif]

Shakib Khan starrer ‘Toofan’ gets uncut censor certificate

"Toofan" was submitted to the Censor Board three days ago.

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Shakib Khan starrer 'Toofan' gets uncut censor certificate

Photo: Collected

Raihan Rafi's "Toofan '' has already made a roaring impact with its first song, "Laage Ura Dhura," which is trending at number four on YouTube. Both the teaser and the song have received an overwhelming response from audiences in both Bangladesh and Kolkata.

Now, there's more good news for fans: the film has received an uncut censor certificate. It was hence given a verbal "no objection" on Tuesday night.

Censor Board member Kazi Hayat confirmed to The Daily Star that the movie "Toofan" has received permission from the Censor Board to be released uncut.

"Toofan" was submitted to the Censor Board three days ago. The clearance certificate is expected to be delivered to the film's director and producers today.

The Raihan Rafi directorial film also stars Mimi Chakraborty, Chanchal Chowdhury, Masooma Nabila, and Misha Swadagar, among others. Shakib Khan plays the role of a gangster in this film. ​

 

[Saif]

Sonu Nigam, Arijit Singh lend voices to Chanchal Chowdhury starrer film

Chanchal Chowdhury shared this information on his social handle, saying that the song titled “Tu Zinda Hain” will be revealed tomorrow at 10am as part of a surprise promotional campaign before the film’s release.

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Sonu Nigam, Arijit Singh lend voices to Chanchal Chowdhury starrer film

Photos: Collected

Popular Indian singers Sonu Nigam and Arijit Singh have lent their voices to the film "Padatik", starring Chanchal Chowdhury. As per reports, the song will be released tomorrow. Directed by Srijit Mukherji, the film is a biopic of the eminent subcontinental filmmaker Mrinal Sen.

Chanchal Chowdhury shared this information on his social handle, saying that the song titled "Tu Zinda Hain" will be revealed tomorrow at 10am as part of a surprise promotional campaign before the film's release.

On May 14, the teaser of the film was released which shed light on how Srijit portrays Mrinal Sen in it.

From the teaser, it can be inferred that "Padatik" depicts the story of Mrinal Sen's journey from childhood to becoming a filmmaker, including his professional and personal life. This biopic showcases how Mrinal Sen became a filmmaker and subsequently chose cinema as a medium to speak for the people — depicting their struggles, existence, and stories of survival and loss on celluloid. These stories have been acclaimed in the global cinema arena.

The shooting of the film began somewhat secretly on January 15 last year and took place in several locations, including Kolkata and Mumbai. Some scenes were also shot outside India.

Last year marked the birth centenary of Mrinal Sen and to pay tribute to him, Srijit Mukherji initiated directing "Padatik" based on the life, work, and times of the late filmmaker. Besides Chanchal Chowdhury, the film features performances by Monami Ghosh, Jeetu Kamal, and many others.​

 

[Saif]

‘I am sorry, please don't dwell on my past actions’: Pori Moni to Mim

In 2022, Pori Moni and Bidya Sinha Mim engaged in a tug of war on social media, where Pori Moni accused Mim of trying to get close to her then-husband, Sariful Razz. The "Gunin" actress posted a series of statuses where she accused Mim of “mingling too much” with Sariful Razz and not “being...

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'I am sorry, please don't dwell on my past actions': Pori Moni to Mim

Photo: Collected

In 2022, Pori Moni and Bidya Sinha Mim engaged in a tug of war on social media, where Pori Moni accused Mim of trying to get close to her then-husband, Sariful Razz. The "Gunin" actress posted a series of statuses where she accused Mim of "mingling too much" with Sariful Razz and not "being satisfied with her husband."

Afterward, Mim posted a detailed status stating that she would take legal action against those attempting to tarnish her reputation. She also shared with The Daily Star that she would no longer act with Sariful Razz in movies due to the controversy. The incident led to a social media frenzy as people wondered when the mud-slinging would stop.

Fast forward to 2024, Pori Moni has divorced Sariful Razz, and it appears that all the bad blood between the two actresses is over. They publicly buried the hatchet at Dhaka Fashion Day 2024 yesterday, where Pori Moni walked down the ramp alongside other celebrities, including Bidya Sinha Mim, Sabila Nur, Puja Chery, and Tanjin Tisha.

Mim revealed to Prothom Alo what Pori Moni said to her at the event, sharing, "Two years ago, Pori Moni humiliated me with false claims on her Facebook status, that too on my birthday night. That whole incident scarred me a lot. After that incident, I tried to avoid her at public events. Prior to walking down the stage, all of us were standing behind the stage. Suddenly, Pori Moni hugged me and said she knew I was still upset with her."

"'Are you still mad at me? I am really sorry. Please forget what I said to you back then. Don't you love my children?' She further asked. I wasn't really prepared for that interaction, including her coming to me and hugging me. Many people noticed the incident, including Sabila Nur, and Tanjin Tisha, among others."

Mim said that before entering the stage and even towards the end of the program, Pori Moni kept repeating the same statements to her and hugged her twice.

When asked what she said to Pori Moni in response, Mim revealed, "I told her I really love her child, as I used to visit her house to see him. However, I decided to ask her once and for all, 'Pori, I have never wronged you. Why did you have to belittle me on social media with such lies? I was really hurt by your status at that time.'"

"After hearing that, Pori Moni replied, 'Please forget all of that. I am really sorry for everything that I have said about you. Please don't take my actions to heart.'"​

 

[Saif]

Bangladeshi film ‘Fatima’ bags award in film fest in London

The directorial venture of Bangladeshi filmmaker Mohammed Moin Uddin Hasan titled ‘Fatima’ bagged the Best Film award in the 25th Rainbow International Film Festival in London on Sunday....

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Bangladeshi film 'Fatima' bags award in film fest in London
Cultural Correspondent 09 June, 2024, 18:36

The directorial venture of Bangladeshi filmmaker Mohammed Moin Uddin Hasan titled 'Fatima' bagged the Best Film award in the 25th Rainbow International Film Festival in London on Sunday.

Earlier, 'Fatima' bagged award at the 42nd edition of the Fajr International Film Festival in Tehran, Iran.

As Moin Uddin Hasan did not receive the visa to attend the festival from the British high commission in Dhaka, the actress of the film Tasnia Farin received the award on behalf of the director.

'The festival authority had arranged a few events, which I was scheduled to attend. But, I am delighted to bag the award,' Moin Uddin Hasan told New Age.

He also said that an award always encouraged an artiste.​

 

[Saif]

Those who lack merit resort to criticism: Shakib Khan

Over the past two years, no film featuring Shakib Khan has premiered outside the Eid season. This pattern has sparked criticism, with many speculating that Shakib avoids non-Eid releases out of fear of box office failure. True to form, Shakib Khan's latest movie, "Toofan”, is set to release this...

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Those who lack merit resort to criticism: Shakib Khan

Photo: Collected

Over the past two years, no film featuring Shakib Khan has premiered outside the Eid season. This pattern has sparked criticism, with many speculating that Shakib avoids non-Eid releases out of fear of box office failure. True to form, Shakib Khan's latest movie, "Toofan", is set to release this Eid-ul-Azha.

Directed by Raihan Rafi, the film revolves around the story of a 90s gangster. Alongside Shakib, the cast includes "Aynabaji" famed Masuma Rahman Nabila and Tollywood actress Mimi Chakraborty, with Chanchal Chowdhury making a special appearance.

To mark the film's release, the "Toofan" team held a press conference yesterday. Shakib Khan attended the event, where he discussed the film and responded to criticism regarding his decision to release movies exclusively during Eid.

The Dhallywood superstar addressed the critics, stating, "There are always people who have something to say. Now they're raising questions about why my movies aren't released outside of Eid. I've been in the industry for 25 years, and my success is well-established. I don't feel the need to prove myself anymore."

"My focus is on working for those who support me. When I returned from the US, my aim was to honour the love of those standing in line just to see me at the airport. I want to repay their loyalty by acting in high-quality films. Without quality, how can we compete? If our films aren't good enough to be shown in our country's multiplexes, let alone internationally, how can we hope to stand alongside Hollywood and Bollywood? Quality is essential for that," he added.

Shakib further remarked, "Our goal is to advance Bengali cinema without paying heed to detractors. Those who constantly find faults and try to hold Bengali cinema back fail to recognise the quality and often try to obscure it. Frankly, they lack merit themselves, which is why they resort to criticism. Support good Bengali movies, whether they are mine or someone else's, and don't listen to the naysayers."

Looking ahead, Shakib Khan revealed that his films will also be released on occasions other than Eid. He stated, "My movies will be released in the future, apart from Eid."

Shakib's upcoming film "Dorod" is set to be released independently of Eid, as per the creators, along with a few more projects in the pipeline.​

 

[Saif]

Actress Sunetra dies aged 53

Actress Rani Sunetra Kumar, popularly known as Sunetra, died in Kolkata, India on April 20. She was 53....

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Actress Sunetra dies aged 53
Cultural Correspondent 14 June, 2024, 21:02

Rani Sunetra Kumar. | Collected photo.

Actress Rani Sunetra Kumar, popularly known as Sunetra, died in Kolkata, India on April 20. She was 53.

The former general secretary of Bangladesh Film Artistes Association, Zayed Khan, confirmed the news on Friday.

Zayed Khan, who is currently in Mumbai, said that Sunetra died in Kolkata on April 20.

'She passed away in Kolkata on April 20. She often spoke to me when I was the general secretary of Bangladesh Film Artistes Association. We will miss her,' said Zayed Khan.

Sunetra was born on July 7, 1970. She made her silver screen debut in Dhallywood acting opposite Zafar Iqbal in Usila in 1985.

She received a huge response for acting in Delwar Jahan Jhontu's 'Palki' in 1990.

She acted opposite Joshim, Shohel Rana, Farooque, Zafar Iqbal and others during her career.

She acted in films, including Shuktara, Sinthir Sindoor, Chhobol, Boner Moto Bon, Bhul Bichar, Alan Dulal, Raja Jony, Shimul Parul, Ghar Bhanga Ghar, Badsha Bhai and others.​