[🇧🇩] 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.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[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".

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[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.​

 

[Saif]

‘Toofan’ to release in 123 halls, Cineplex’s Eid day tickets sell out

Eid is incomplete without megastar Shakib Khan’s films. Yesterday, director Raihan Rafi released the trailer for “Toofan”, and fans can't stop raving about its superior cinematography and action stunts. As “Toofan” gains momentum on social media, fans are rapidly booking advance tickets to the...

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'Toofan' to release in 123 halls, Cineplex's Eid day tickets sell out

Photo: Collected

Eid is incomplete without megastar Shakib Khan's films. Yesterday, director Raihan Rafi released the trailer for "Toofan", and fans can't stop raving about its superior cinematography and action stunts. As "Toofan" gains momentum on social media, fans are rapidly booking advance tickets to the nearest theatres to watch the first day first show.

The film will be screened in two-thirds of the cinema halls across the country, totaling 123 cinema halls, on Eid. The makers have also released the list of theatres screening the film.

Apart from Star Cineplex, Jamuna Blockbuster and Lion Cinemas, "Toofan", will be released across all the big single screens in Bangladesh. Interestingly, as soon as Star Cineplex released the tickets this morning, advance tickets for the film have been selling out like wildfire.

According to Cineplex, there will be 17 screenings on Eid day and 23 shows per day starting the following day across all branches. Speaking with the authorities, it was confirmed that the advance tickets for the first day of "Toofan" sold out across all branches of Cineplex within a few hours in the morning. Additionally, 80 percent of the tickets for the second day were sold online.

Not only Cineplex but several theaters including Jamuna Blockbuster, Lion Cinemas, and Shyamoli are selling advance tickets for "Toofan". Facebook pages of various cinema halls have confirmed that Shakib's film is selling record advance tickets. For this reason, Raihan Rafi posted on his Facebook that "Toofan" is creating history in advance ticket sales.

Aside from Shakib Khan starring as the leading man, the star-studded cast of the film also includes Masuma Rahman Nabila, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Gazi Rakayet, Misha Sawdagar, and Chanchal Chowdhury, among others.

Shakib Khan's portrayal of a gangster promises to be a standout performance in this action-packed film.​

 

[Saif]

Star Cineplex doubles shows for ‘Toofan’

Raihan Rafi, the film’s director, informed that the film is currently in a strong position. The audience demand is immense, and ticket sales are skyrocketing. The number of shows could increase further, sources confirmed.

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Star Cineplex doubles shows for 'Toofan'

Photos: Collected

"Toofan" has been raging across the country's cinema halls since its release on Eid Day (June 17), becoming the most widely screened film across 123 halls in the country.

Starting today, the number of shows for this film at Star Cineplex has increased from 21 to 45.

Raihan Rafi, the film's director, informed that the film is currently in a strong position. The audience demand is immense, and ticket sales are skyrocketing. The number of shows could increase further, sources confirmed.

The teaser, songs, and trailer have met the audience's expectations for the film starring Shakib Khan.

"Toofan" has been generating excitement ever since the release of its title track. The teaser alone piqued the curiosity of fans, leading many to predict that the film would be a blockbuster upon its release. Adding to the anticipation, Pritom Hasan's "item" song, "Laage Ura Dhura", was trending on YouTube upon its release, further heightening interest in the film.

The star-studded cast also includes Masuma Rahman Nabila, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Gazi Rakayet, Misa Sawdagar, and Chanchal Chowdhury, among others. Shakib Khan's portrayal of a gangster promises to be a standout performance in this action-packed film.

Alpha-i Studios and Chorki, the production company behind "Toofan", confirmed that advance ticket sales began 10 days prior to the release. As of June 18, around 40 percent of the tickets for the initial week were already sold, according to a Channel i report.​

 

[Saif]

‘Moyna’ bags award at Italian indy film fest

Bangladeshi filmmaker Monjurul Islam Megh’s film ‘Moyna’ won award in the Special Mention Feature Fiction Film category at the Gulf of Naples...

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'Moyna' bags award at Italian indy film fest
United News of Bangladesh . Dhaka 22 June, 2024, 00:08

A still from 'Moyna'. | UNB Photo

Bangladeshi filmmaker Monjurul Islam Megh's film 'Moyna' won award in the Special Mention Feature Fiction Film category at the Gulf of Naples Independent Film Festival in Italy.

The 10th edition of the festival was held from June 11 to 14 in Naples.

'The film "Moyna" is made to resonate with a wide range of viewers. I firmly believe that its appeal will extend beyond international film festivals and be appreciated by audiences in our country,' said Megh, who also wrote the screenplay and dialogue of the film based on a story by Alim Ullah Khokon.

Raj Ripa, Kayes Arju, Aman Reza, Affan Mitul, Jilani, Momena Chowdhury, Nader Chowdhury, Subrata, Suchona, Khalilur Rahman Qadri, Shishir and child artiste Jannatul Bhor have played different characters in the film.

According to the film's producer, Alim Ullah Khokon, 'Moyna' has received clearance from the Bangladesh Film Censor Board and is scheduled for release in cinemas in Bangladesh next September.

He said that the film would be screened at several international film festivals.

'Moyna' had earlier garnered the best film production award at the 25th EMMA'S BBC Festival of Multicultural 2023 in London and is scheduled to be featured at the 21st Aporia International Village Film Festival in Korea in August.​

 

[Saif]

Mithila's upcoming film set for release in India

Actress Mithila, celebrated across both Bengals, is set to star in an upcoming Indian film titled "Aranyer Prachin Probad". This much-anticipated project is helmed by first-time director Dulal Dey.

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Mithila's upcoming film set for release in India

Photos: Screen grab from "Aranyer Prachin Probad" trailer

Actress Rafiath Rashid Mithila, celebrated across both Bengals, is set to star in an upcoming Indian film titled "Aranyer Prachin Probad" — scheduled for release on July 5.

This much-anticipated project is helmed by first-time director Dulal Dey.

The "Kajol Rekha" actress remarked that the film presents an innovative and distinct storyline. She mentioned, "I constantly seek new stories and different roles to challenge myself. This film is no exception."

She also expressed her hope that "Aranyer Prachin Probad" will be released in the first week of July adding, "I have great faith in the audience's reception of this film."

In addition to Mithila, Silajit Majumder, and Jeetu Kamal play significant roles in the film. Regarding her co-stars, Mithila commented, "I thoroughly enjoyed working with them. Each actor brought their unique acting skills to their characters."

Regarding director Dulal Dey, the actress shared, "Though he is known as a cricket journalist, Dey has directed an exceptional film."

Meanwhile, Mithila's last film, "Kajol Rekha", has garnered significant praise. Furthermore, the web-series "Baaji", in which she stars among others, is being warmly received by the audience.​

 

[Saif]

‘Nirvana’ bags Special Jury Award in MIFF

New Age, a Dhaka-based leading English language daily newspaper, is a major source of news of Bangladesh and international affairs

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'Nirvana' bags Special Jury Award in MIFF
Cultural Correspondent 27 April, 2024, 19:36

Bangladeshi filmmaker Asif Islam and actress Priyam Archi attends 46th Moscow International Film Festival in Russia. | Collected photo.

Bangladeshi filmmaker Asif Islam's directorial venture titled 'Nirvana' has bagged the Special Jury Award at the 46th Moscow International Film Festival.

The 46th Moscow International Film Festival was held from April 19 to 26.

The eight-day film festival featured 240 films from 56 countries. The awards ceremony of the festival was held on Friday in Moscow, Russia.

Asif Islam and the film's actress Priyam Archi attended the film festival.

Asif confirmed the news in a post on his Facebook page.

He wrote, 'We did it! Special Jury award for Bangladesh.'

Priyam Archi shared her reaction to winning the award in a video posted on her Facebook page.

She said, 'Nirvana has won the Special Jury Award at the closing ceremony of MIFF. The film's director Asif Islam has received the award.'

Besides, 'Shame', directed by Miguel Salgado and co-produced by Mexico and Qatar, won the Best Film Award and Iran's Nahid Azizi Sedigh bagged the Best Director Award for her film titled 'Cold Sigh'.

Yulia Trofimova's directorial venture 'Liar' won the Silver Saint George award in the Russian premiere competition section.

Russian filmmaker Sergey Ursulyak was honoured with the MIFF award for an outstanding contribution to world cinema.

The Moscow International Film Festival was founded in 1935. It is the world's second oldest film festival after the Venice International Film Festival.​

 

[Saif]

I’m happy to be ruling over the hearts of Bangalis: Shakib Khan

Shakib Khan’s “Toofan” was released in 47 theatres, including South City, Star Theater, and Lake Mall in Kolkata, on July 5.

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I'm happy to be ruling over the hearts of Bangalis: Shakib Khan

Photo: Collected

Shakib Khan's "Toofan" was released in 47 theatres, including South City, Star Theater, and Lake Mall in Kolkata, on July 5.

As part of the film's promotion, Shakib Khan visited Kolkata to talk about his film with his fans. The premiere was held at Kolkata's South City Mall. Earlier, the makers of "Toofan" held a press conference to discuss the film with the media.

Shakib Khan also gave various interviews to media outlets in Kolkata, describing himself as the undefeatable "King of Bangali peoples' hearts."

The megastar of Dhallywood was asked if he was moody - "Shakib Khan is known as the 'King of Bangladesh.' Everybody wants to know how you reign over people's hearts when some people complain that you are moody. What's your answer to that?"

Shakib Khan replied, "Well, I feel people who think I am moody are mostly those who haven't seen or known me personally. Do you really think I am moody?" he added with a big smile.

He then went on to state that he has many enemies. "One can rule over people's hearts in two ways - through fighting and love. I have won the hearts of people without any competition and I am the king of Bangali people's hearts."

Shakib Khan is not only the megastar of Dhallywood; he is also one of the superstars of Bengali cinema and the poster boy of Bangladeshi cinema.

On this day, the actor was asked about his sense of responsibility for the success of his movies. "More than 250 films and numerous super hit movies under your name. Currently, your film 'Toofan' is doing exceptional business both in Bangladesh and abroad. Do you feel that you have a huge responsibility towards the industry?" asked the journalist.

The "Toofan" actor gave a blunt and honest reply to the reporter and said, "Earlier, I used to work a lot concentrating on the quantity of work instead of quality. Some of the films were good, while others were average. Many of the directors used to even come to me and tell me, 'bhai I am in a lot of trouble. Can you please work on my film?'. I did those films for the sake of industry and out of a sense of responsibility. I did those films in order to support the cinema halls."

Despite numerous setbacks and hurdles, Shakib Khan came to understand that the people of Bangladesh love him deeply and that he also enjoys a significant fanbase outside the country.

"I am really grateful that people from outside the country also love me. They appreciate my work and praise me when I do well. That's when I decided to focus on quality films, leading to 'Toofan', which is now doing well in theatres," concluded the actor.​

 

[Saif]

Babita recovers from COVID

On July 18, widespread unrest erupted nationwide under the pretext of quota reform protests, leading to blockades throughout Dhaka and a citywide internet blackout. Amidst this turmoil, iconic actress Babita tested positive for the coronavirus.

www.thedailystar.net

Babita recovers from COVID

Photo: Collected

On July 18, widespread unrest erupted nationwide under the pretext of putting a stop to quota reform protests, leading to blockades throughout Dhaka and a citywide internet outage. Amidst this turmoil, iconic actress Babita tested positive for the coronavirus.

The news was confirmed to the media by Babita's younger sister, actress Champa.

On Saturday, July 27, Champa announced that after four days of treatment at a private hospital in Dhaka, Babita tested negative for COVID-19. Following the doctor's advice, she returned home but continued to experience physical weakness.

Champa shared, "Apa had been feeling body aches for several days. Though there was no fever, she felt unwell. After getting tested, we learned she was COVID-19 positive. Without any delay, I admitted her to a private hospital in Dhaka on July 18."

Champa also mentioned, "The situation in the country was quite concerning at the time. Amidst all this, the news of Apa contracting COVID-19 came as a shock to us. Alone, I felt uncertain about how to proceed. Then, after discussing with our elder sister, actress Shuchanda, we decided to get her admitted to the hospital promptly. After four days of continuous care, she returned home free from the virus. We are relieved for now."

This wasn't the first time Babita had been infected with Coronavirus.

Farida Akhtar Poppy, famously known as Babita, is a legendary actress in Bengali cinema. She captivated audiences with her performances as an indomitable heroine on the black-and-white screens of Bengali films during the 70s and 80s, and continues to hold a special place in the hearts of her fans.​

 

[Saif]

71 for Babita, Bangla’s original diva

Babita began her journey in cinema 50 years ago. From romantic to social films, the actress is known for her mesmerising performance throughout her career. She has countless fans both at home and abroad.

www.thedailystar.net

71 for Babita, Bangla's original diva

Photos: Shahrear Kabir Heemel

Today marks the 71st birthday of veteran actress Babita. Recently, she was diagnosed with COVID-19. She returned home after four days of treatment at a private hospital in the capital.

Babita began her journey in cinema 50 years ago. From romantic to social films, the actress is known for her mesmerising performance throughout her career. She has countless fans both at home and abroad.

The Daily Star caught up with her to learn about her health updates, her birthday plans, and more.

"Suddenly, I contracted the virus, however, I returned home after the tests came back negative. I am still feeling weak, and doctors also suggested that I take plenty of rest," shared the actress.

As we spoke, she sighed that she was supposed to spend her birthday with her son in Canada. "I was so careful, yet, I got infected with COVID. Sadly, despite confirming my tickets I couldn't visit my son."

Babita elaborated that she doesn't have any plans for her birthday. "As soon as I return to normal health, I will fly to Canada. I wish to spend time with my son. Today, I am missing him a lot."

Babita is grateful to everyone who wished her on her birthday. "So many people reached out to me, and I am grateful to them. People still love me today, and this makes me feel that life is extremely beautiful."

When asked about her achievements during her entire career, the once sensational actress said, "Everything I have received in my artistic life is an achievement. However, the love of the people is the greatest achievement of an artiste's life. There can be no greater reward than this."

Recalling a memory from a year ago, Babita said, "Last year, a significant event happened in my life. As I visited my son during my birthday, I went to Dallas from Canada. The mayor there honoured me with a lifetime achievement award. I will always remember the event."

When asked about her once favourite place, BFDC, the Ashani Sanket actress said, "I haven't been to BFDC in a long time. I don't feel like going. As far as I know, the floors from our time are being demolished. There will be a multi-story building there."

She further said, "We have countless joyful memories surrounding BFDC. There are memories of shooting many movies there."​

 

[Saif]

Dhallywood in crisis again

There’s no audience in the halls. The plans of releasing new films is being cancelled as well. Everyone concerning the film industry including producers, directors and hall owners are facing losses. This has put Dhallywood into fresh crisis.

en.prothomalo.com

Dhallywood in crisis again
Entertainment Correspondent Dhaka
Updated: 02 Aug 2024, 13: 01

People had returned to cinema halls with the film 'Toofan'.taken from Facebook

Movie theatres in the country have fallen into a crisis in the ongoing unrest centering the quota reform movement. Like everything else, the cinema halls too were shut during curfew. The single screens and the multiplexes started reopening once the curfew was relaxed.

But there are no people in the halls. Plans of releasing new films are being cancelled as well. Everyone in the film industry including producers, directors and hall owners are facing losses. This has put Dhallywood into fresh crisis.

Even in the fifth week since the Eid holidays, there was significant interest about films among the audience while the situation was normal. There was crowds on the weekends. Meanwhile, some of the single screens started reopening when the curfew was relaxed. And after taking some time to observe the situation, the multiplexes started reopening from last Thursday.

Senior marketing officer of Star Cineplex, Mezbah Uddin Ahmed said, "Back when the situation was normal, we had 48 shows of the film 'Toofan' in our multiplex. We were hopeful that if it continues like this we would be able to run smoothly when there's another quality film. But, you can say the business has taken a nosedive amid this unrest."

Star Cineplex UNB

"Where we used to get 100 per cent audience earlier, there's not even 10 per cent viewers now. We suffered a huge loss. Though the situation seems to be improving a bit, will there be as much audience as before when the situation is better? Just as we suffered losses, the whole film industry also came under threat," he added.

Reportedly, there are only two shows running at the Cineplex, one at 11:00 am and the other at 1:00 pm. The hall owners stated, most of the time except for the Eid holidays, they do not even earn enough to meet the expenses properly at the end of the month.

Under such circumstances, they were becoming hopeful centering the two Eid holidays. For, the audience was coming back to the halls after a long time. Before this unrest, Manihar cinema hall in Jashore made a good profit from screening the film 'Toofan'. But, the earnings have stopped altogether now.

Managing director of Manihar Cinema Hall, Ziaul Islam told Prothom Alo, "We took a big hit there. The audience was regularly visiting the cinema halls. Now there has been such a break that it just ruined the continuity of audience coming to cinemas."

Actress Nazira Mou and actor Indraneil Sengupta in a scene of the upcoming film 'Nandini'.Collected

"Even if the situation turns normal now, it doesn't seem there would be as many audiences coming back like before. Plus, there have to be quality films," added he.

Some think films have to be released and promoted one by one through proper planning when the situation has become normal. Only then the desolate cinema halls will become houseful again.

Senior vice president of the Hall Exhibitors Association Mia Alauddin said, "We don't have the capability to meet the losses that has been caused to the film industry this time. As it is there are not many cinema halls left."

"The ones that survived were also limping. In this situation who would come forward to release a film! The achievements from the films Poran, Hawa, Shurongo, Priyotoma and Toofan just went in vain. The empty cinema halls need government's help now," Mia Alauddin added.

According to Hall Exhibitors Association information, for the time being there's no possibility of any new film being released in the current condition of the country. A film named 'Haimantir Itikatha' cancelled out of the release list last Friday. The director of the film is worried about when will he release the film later.

Meanwhile, another film 'Nandini' was on the way to be released next Friday. Director of the film Shoaibur Rahman doesn't want to release the film amid the current situation.

Actor Parambrata Chattopadhyay in a scene of the film 'Ajob Karkhana'.Prothom Alo

He said, "Seeing a good influx of audience we had planned to release our film on 2 August. Everything was finalised. The situation is such that audience does not have the mentality to visit the cinemas now. If there's no audience how will we get our investments back?"

We are planning on releasing the film at the end of August if the situation turns normal. Meanwhile, we are following up on the release date of Shakib Khan's film 'Dorod'. We might also delay the release of our film to the end of September."

The last film that released after the Eid holidays is 'Ajob Karkhana'. While the film welcomed audience till 17 July, all the shows got cancelled after that.

Director of the film Shabnam Ferdousi, said, "We were getting audiences as expected. We had an audience on Wednesday also. After that, there have been no screenings of the film till now. Now we are waiting for the cinema halls to reopen fully. May be then we will be able to release the movie again."

From the business perspective, Dhallywood is faced with huge losses. The damage that has been done cannot be met in any way, believes former leader of the producers' association Khorshed Alam Khasru.

He said, "The blow on the business of cinema halls will have an impact on entire Dhallywood. In this environment of fear that has been created, the audience won't leave their house to watch a film at least. Now is not a suitable time to release good movies either."

"If it becomes impossible to even run the films, it will impact the investments also. But if there are better quality movies after the two Eid holidays, they have to be released through proper planning. We have to make up for our losses," he added.​

 

[Saif]

নতুন সংকটে ঢাকাই সিনেমা

সব কিছু ঠিক হতে হয়তো আরও ছয় মাস সময় লেগে যাবে।

bangla.thedailystar.net

নতুন সংকটে ঢাকাই সিনেমা
সব কিছু ঠিক হতে হয়তো আরও ছয় মাস সময় লেগে যাবে।

এফডিসির ফাইল ছবি | সংগৃহীত

সরকারি চাকরিতে কোটা সংস্কারের দাবিতে আন্দোলন শুরু হওয়ার পরেই ঢাকাই সিনেমায় নেমে এসেছিল স্থবিরতা। দীর্ঘদিন থেকে বন্ধ নতুন সিনেমার মুক্তি, হয়নি শুটিংও।

অন্তর্বর্তীকালীন সরকার গঠনের পর শুরু হয়েছে নতুন সিনেমার শুটিংয়ের পরিকল্পনা। তবে ঠিক কবে থেকে নতুন সিনেমার শুটিং শুরু হতে পারে তা নির্দিষ্ট হয়নি।

সংশ্লিষ্টরা বলছেন, এর প্রধান কারণ প্রযোজক ও প্রযোজনা সংস্থাগুলোর অনীহা। এই পরিস্থিতিতে সংস্থাগুলো নতুন কোনো সিনেমায় বিনিয়োগ করতে রাজি না। পরিস্থিতি স্থিতিশীল হলে চলচ্চিত্র নির্মাণে গতি ফিরবে।

তাদের ধারণা, সব কিছু ঠিক হতে হয়তো আরও ছয় মাস সময় লেগে যাবে।

বিগ বাজেটের সিনেমা 'বরবাদ' রয়েছে শুটিংয়ের শুরুর তালিকায়। এর প্রধান চরিত্রে থাকছেন শাকিব খান। আগামী সেপ্টেম্বরের শেষে বরবাদ সিনেমার শুটিং হওয়ার কথা ছিল। প্রযোজনা প্রতিষ্ঠান সূত্র জানিয়েছে, সিনেমাটির শুটিং পিছিয়েছে। কবে নাগাদ শুরু হবে, তাও অনিশ্চিত।

মেহেদী হাসান হৃদয় পরিচালিত সিনেমাটিতে শাকিব খানের বিপরীতে থাকার কথা ভারতের নায়িকা ইধিকা পালের। পিছিয়েছে শাকিব খানের আরও একটি সিনেমার 'শের' এর শুটিং। আগামী ডিসেম্বরে শুটিং শুরু হওয়ার কথা ছিল।

সেপ্টেম্বরে শুটিং শুরুর কথা ছিল সাইফ চন্দন পরিচালিত শরীফুল রাজ-ইধিকা পালের সিনেমা 'সাহেব'। সংশ্লিষ্টরা জানিয়েছেন, আপাতত শুটিংয়ের কোনো পরিকল্পনা নেই।

পূজা চেরি অভিনীত 'মাসুদরানা' সিনেমার বাকি অংশের শুটিং চলতি মাসের মাঝামাঝিতে শুরুর পরিকল্পনা ছিল। সেটিও বাতিল হয়েছে। পরিচালক সৈকত নাসির আশা করছেন, আগামী কয়েক মাসের মধ্যে শুটিং শুরু করা সম্ভব হবে।

চিত্রনায়িকা পূজা চেরি ও আদর আজাদকে নিয়ে 'দরদীয়া' নামে একটি সিনেমার শুটিং চলতি বছরেই শুরুর কথা ছিল। বর্তমান পরিস্থিতিতে সেটিও অনিশ্চয়তার মুখে পড়েছে।

কয়েকজন পরিচালকের সঙ্গে কথা বলে জানা গেছে, তারা নতুন সিনেমার শুটিং শুরুর কথা ভাবছেন না।

পরিচালক সমিতির সাধারণ সম্পাদক শাহীন সুমন দ্য ডেইলি স্টারকে বলেন, 'আপাতত এফডিসিতে নতুন কোনো সিনেমার শুটিংয়ের কথা আমার জানা নেই। বাইরে থেকে অন্য কেউ হয়তো করতে পারে। আগামী কয়েক মাস এভাবেই যাবে। তারপর পরিচালকরা হয়তো নতুন সিনেমার শুটিংয়ে ফিরবেন। এসব পরিকল্পনা আগামী এক মাসের মধ্যে জানা যাবে।'

পরিচালক অনন্য মামুন ডেইলি স্টারকে বলেন, 'যেসব সিনেমার শুটিং হওয়ার পরিকল্পনা ছিল সব পিছিয়েছে। নতুন কোনো সিনেমার শুটিং এখন হবে না। যারা সিনেমা প্রযোজনা করতেন, তারা একটু সময় নিচ্ছেন। শাকিব খানকে নিয়ে শের নামে একটি সিনেমার পরিকল্পনা ছিল ডিসেম্বরে। সেই পরিকল্পনাও বাদ দিতে হয়েছে। প্রযোজনা সংস্থাগুলো কিছুটা পিছিয়ে গেছে। আগামী বছর নাগাদ এই সিনেমার শুটিং শুরু করতে পারবো বলে আশা করছি।'

পরিচালক সৈকত নাসির ডেইলি স্টারকে বলেন, 'চলতি মাসেই মাসুদরানা সিনেমার শুটিংয়ের জন্য দেশের বাইরে যাওয়ার পরিকল্পনা ছিল। আপাতত সেটা হচ্ছে না। হয়তো আগামী দুই তিন মাসের মধ্যে শুটিং শুরু করা যাবে। দেশের অর্থনৈতিক অবস্থা তেমন ভালো না। প্রথমে মানুষের বেঁচে থাকা, চিকিৎসা, শিক্ষা, তারপর অন্য কিছু। আশা করছি, আগামী কয়েক মাসে সব ঠিকঠাক হয়ে যাবে।'

পরিচালক সাইফ চন্দন বলেন, 'এখন সিনেমার শুটিং করার মতো সময় না, এখন দেশ গড়ার সময়। আমার পরিচালনায় বিগ বাজেটের সিনেমা সাহেব আগামী সেপ্টম্বর মাসে শুটিংয়ের পরিকল্পনা ছিল। অভিনেতা শরীফুল রাজ-ইধিকা পাল দুজনই চুক্তিবদ্ধ হয়েছিলেন প্রযোজনাংস্থার মাধ্যমে। কিন্তু আপাতত শুটিংয়ের পরিকল্পনা নেই। কবে হবে সেটাও জানি না।'​