Cinema
'The Invitation' tops tepid weekend at box office
The horror film “The Invitation” needed just $7 million to finish at the top of the weakest weekend of the summer at the North American box office, according to studio estimates Sunday.
Directed and co-written by Jessica M. Thompson and starring “Game of Thrones” actor Nathalie Emmanuel, “The Invitation” tells the story of a young woman who after her mother's death discovers dark secrets at her family home in the English countryside.
It debuted on 3,141 screens for Sony and cost just $10 million to make.
Sony also had the No. 2 movie with the Brad Pitt vehicle “Bullet Train,” which brought in an estimated $5.6 million from 3,513 screens in its fourth week, bringing its domestic total to $78.2 million.
Universal’s “Beast,” starring Idris Elba, finished third with $4.9 million in its second week, after making $11.6 million and ranking second in its first.
Elba was also the star of the week’s other major debut, “Three Thousand Years of Longing,” the fantasy epic from “Mad Max” director George Miller, which brought in just $2.9 million on 2,436 screens and finished a distant and disappointing seventh.
The lagging results were no great surprise for this time of year.
“We’re in that what is often the typical August slowdown heading into Labor Day weekend,” said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore. “This was to be expected given the lineup of films this weekend.”
Paramount’s “Top Gun: Maverick” remained in fourth in its 14th weekend in theaters with an additional $4.8 million. It has made over $691 million in North America to date, making it the sixth-highest grossing domestic release of all time.
Last week's No. 1, “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero” plunged to fifth in its second weekend with $4.6 million after bringing in $20.1 million in its debut.
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The weekend overall saw about $52.7 million in North American ticket sales — the slowest in months. A strong summer has meant that the year-to-date box office is still up significantly from a tepid 2021, but a long drought lies ahead until another surge of expected big earners such as “Halloween Ends” and “Black Adam," which will both be released in October.
Amid the quiet spell at the box office, movie tickets will be just $3 in the vast majority of American theaters as part of a newly launched “ National Cinema Day ” on Saturday. Major chains, including AMC and Regal Cinemas, are participating, as are all major film studios.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. “The Invitation," $7 million.
2. “Bullet Train,” $5.6 million.
3. “Beast,” $4.9 million.
4. “Top Gun: Maverick,” $4.8 million.
5. “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero,” $4.6 million.
6. “DC League of Super-Pets,” $4.2 million.
7. “Three Thousand Years of Longing,” $2.9 million
8. “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” $2.74 million.
9. “Thor: Love and Thunder,” $2.7 million.
10. “Where the Crawdads Sing,” $2.3 million
Environment Ministry to withdraw case against Hawa upon 'agreement'
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change will take the initiative to withdraw a case filed against the movie 'Hawa’ for allegedly violating Wildlife Conservation and Security Act of 2012.
Steps will be taken to withdraw the case filed by the Wildlife Crime Prevention Unit under the ministry, upon the appeal made by the Hawa team confessing they were unaware of the provisions of the act, it said in a press release on Sunday.
The Director of Hawa Mejbaur Rahman Sumon applied to the Wildlife Crime Control Unit. The wildlife crime control unit submitted it to Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court to withdraw the case on Sunday.
Also read: Legal notice seeks complete ban on screening Hawa
As the case is compoundable according to section 43 of Wildlife Conservation and Security Act, 2012, and section 248 of CrpC, the appeal was submitted.
The court has heard the appeal and fixed the next hearing to pronounce a verdict in this regard.
On August 17, four officers of the Wildlife Crime Prevention Unit filed a case after seeing the movie released on July 29.
Also read: Wind of 'Hawa' blows full
On August 22, a legal notice was served to ban screenings of the film Hawa, for violating the Wildlife Conservation and Security Act.
The notice demanded the license of the film be revoked, and to ban its screening worldwide, not just locally.
Besides, it said the Censor Board should be reconstituted to include members of the Wildlife Crime Prevention Unit, lawyers and environmentalists.
Read Iranian director reveals everything Ananta Jalil has been saying about their film
In addition, before giving the Censor Board's clearance to any movie in the future, it must be ensured that a film does not violate any section of the Wildlife Conservation and Safety Act-2012.
According to the notice, in the movie, a bird named Shalik is seen kept captive inside a cage on a trawler. At one point the bird is killed and eaten.
Besides, there are several scenes in the movie which are clear violations of the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act, 2012.
Read Ananta Jalil responses to 'Din: The Day' director's allegations
As a result, people will be encouraged to hunt, cage and kill birds.
No permission was taken from the Forest Department to promote this scene, added the notice.
The entire episode however drew ridicule from some quarters, and artists in particular.
Read 'Golpo Bolar Swadhinata Chai': Artists place five-point demands
Ananta Jalil responses to 'Din: The Day' director's allegations
Actor-producer-businessman Ananta Jalil has refuted the complaints of Iranian filmmaker Morteza Atashzamzam about the film "Din: The Day" regarding its actual budget.
He made the response in a video message posted on his verified Facebook page on Saturday.
According to the film contract, Ananta was supposed to pay all the expenses for shooting of the film in Bangladesh.
Claiming to have paid all the expenses according to the contract, Ananta said, “It is not a matter of Morteza whether it cost Tk one crore or four crore for shooting here.”
He said the shooting of the film started in 2019 and completed by 2020.
“You can watch my interviews in television, newspapers and social media before and after the release of the film. Did I say that I am the only investor of this movie? I have always said that I am the only investor for shooting in Bangladesh.”
On February 27 last year, Morteza attended a programme of the film 'Din: The Day' and 'Netri The Leader' at a city hotel where he told Ananta he had spent much more money on shooting than the budget he fixed.
“I announced the budget amount as Morteza said in all my interviews.”
Ananta said, "I am not supposed to pay any shooting expenses abroad except shooting expenses in Bangladesh, our traveling cost and the air ticket.”
Read: Iranian director reveals everything Ananta Jalil has been saying about their film
“So how can he say in his post that I did not pay him as per the contract?”
“Then Morteza did not spend any money on shooting in so many countries as he said that is what I am supposed to pay.”
Anata also said the Dolby certificate is not required for film release in Iran as their post-production is already quite advanced.
“Till the release of the movie, Morteza and I never had a bad relationship. I hope not in the future. I believe that one day Murtaza will unmask those on whose interests he has done it.”
Morteza recently accused Ananta Jalil of violating the conditions of the film's agreement through a post on his Instagram profile; and as promised during his initial criticism of Ananta Jalil, the filmmaker has now come forward with a post on his Instagram account to "reveal" the budget of "Din - The Day," which is USD $500,000.
This comes to about BDT 4 crore when converted in taka, which is nowhere near the more than Tk 100 crore budget earlier claimed by Ananta Jalil throughout the promotional activities of the film.
According to the claim of the Iranian filmmaker, Ananta was required to invest the entire amount for the movie in accordance with the previously signed contract between the parties. As a result, Ananta would receive 85 per cent of the movie's earnings as an investor while Morteza would gain 15 per cent as the producer.
Following that, Ananta only compensated him with USD 24,000 instead of the promised USD 200,000. According to the Iranian director, Ananta would always cite COVID and "business loss" as his excuses whenever Morteza requested further payments.
The filmmaker, showcasing all the documents, asked in the post, "How can Ananta make the claim that the budget of the film is around USD 10 million when he didn't even pay the contractually obligated amount of USD 500,000, as per our 2018 contract, to our Iranian team?"
Iranian director reveals everything Ananta Jalil has been saying about their film
The much-talked-about Ananta Jalil-starrer film "Din - The Day" director and Iranian filmmaker Morteza Atashzamzam on Monday revealed the actual budget of the movie, as opposed to Ananta Jalil’s previously mentioned budget of more than 100 crore tk - and the actual amount is not even close to the aforementioned budget.
Morteza recently accused Ananta Jalil of violating the conditions of the movie's agreement through a post on his Instagram profile; and as promised during his initial criticism of Ananta Jalil, the filmmaker has now come forward with a post on his Instagram account to "reveal" the budget of "Din - The Day," which is USD $500,000.
This comes to about BDT 4 crore when converted in taka, which is nowhere near the more than Tk 100 crore budget earlier claimed by Ananta Jalil throughout the promotional activities of the film.
Read Ananta Jalil brushes off 'Din: The Day' director's allegations
According to the claim of the Iranian filmmaker, Ananta was required to invest the entire amount for the movie in accordance with the previously signed contract between the parties. As a result, Ananta would receive 85 percent of the movie's earnings as an investor while Morteza would gain 15 percent as the producer.
Sharing the pictures of the agreement signed which stated that Ananta Jalil would pay for the budget of USD 500,000 in total six instalments as the first party, Morteza stated that the film was supposed to be released within 8 months of the contract signing, which was signed on October 18, 2018.
Morteza stated that the actor's irresponsibility increased the film's overall shooting costs, and he allegedly stopped filming because Ananta failed to pay the team in a timely manner. However, the filmmaker began filming after speaking to a few well-wishers and receiving a guarantee from Ananta that all outstanding debts would be paid.
Read: Legal notice seeks complete ban on screening Hawa
Following that, Ananta only compensated him with USD 24,000 instead of the promised USD 200,000. According to the Iranian director, Ananta would always cite COVID and "business loss" as his excuses whenever Morteza requested further payments.
The filmmaker, showcasing all the documents, asked in the post, "How can Ananta make the claim that the budget of the movie "Din - The Day" is around USD 10 million when he didn't even pay the contractually obligated amount of USD 500,000, as per our 2018 contract, to our Iranian team?"
The script for the movie has been constantly changed because, according to the director, both the parties could not agree on it. He said, the contract of the film clearly mentioned that the film will be made with the financing of Ananta Jalil as this type of film is not appreciated by the people of Iran, and also his name is clearly registered as the investor and actor of the film while Morteza’s name is registered as the producer and director.
Read Ananta Jalil broke our contract: 'Din: The Day' director
“Ananta frequently and unprofessionally ruined my interpretation of the story under the justification that he knew the Bangladeshi audience and their demand better than I did, and I had to believe him as 85 percent of the film is made in the Bangladeshi context.”
A breach of contract has been specifically pointed out by the director, as he mentioned that the storyline was shifted from IS and terrorism of the extremists to the drug smugglings and mafia curtails; and the setting of the film was shifted from Lebanon and Syria to Afghanistan and Turkey.
“We allegedly found that he even shot a portion of the film in Turkey while addressing himself as the producer and director, and also filmed Turkish dance with women in such a way that was a clear violation of our contract, which made me realise that he does not respect the laws of neither of the countries (Bangladesh and Iran). This also made me realise that directing this film is the biggest mistake of my life,” Morteza stated.
Read Rayhan Rafi’s new film ‘Nisshash’ to be released on Chorki
In response to all these allegations, Ananta Jalil, producer of the film "Din - The Day," did not issue any official statement as of this reporting but verbally told the media that he is suspecting a deep conspiracy against him. “The Iranian director cannot write in Bangla, so it is clear that someone is misleading him from the country and I will share my response after talking to him.”
Legal notice seeks complete ban on screening Hawa
A legal notice has been served to ban screenings of the film Hawa, for violating the Wildlife Conservation and Safety Act.
Supreme Court lawyer Khandaker Hasan Shahriar sent the notice to the Censor Board on Monday. It was sent to the Chairman and Vice Chairman of Bangladesh Film Censor Board and Information Secretary Mokbul Hossain.
According to the notice, legal action will be taken if a satisfactory response isn't forthcoming within seven days of receiving the notice.
Read: Wind of 'Hawa' blows full
The notice demanded the license of the film be revoked, and to ban its screening worldwide, not just locally.
Besides, it said the Censor Board should be reconstituted to include members of the Wildlife Crime Prevention Unit, lawyers and environmentalists.
In addition, before giving the Censor Board's clearance to any movie in the future, it must be ensured that a film does not violate any section of the Wildlife Conservation and Safety Act-2012.
Read Rayhan Rafi’s new film ‘Nisshash’ to be released on Chorki
According to the notice, in the movie which was released on July 29, a bird named Shalik is seen kept captive inside a cage on a trawler. At one point the bird is killed and eaten.
Besides, there are several scenes in the movie which are clear violations of the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act, 2012.
As a result, people will be encouraged to hunt, cage and kill birds.
Read Iranian director reveals everything Ananta Jalil has been saying about their film was untrue. Literally everything.
No permission was taken from the Forest Department to promote this scene, added the notice.
Earlier on 17 August, four officers of the Wildlife Crime Prevention Unit filed a case after seeing the Hawa movie.
Rayhan Rafi’s new film ‘Nisshash’ to be released on Chorki
Poran-famed director Rayhan Rafi’s new web film ‘Nisshash’ is soon going to be released on OTT-platform Chorki.
A teaser of the film was released on Chorki’s official facebook page on August 20, where upcoming actress Tasnia Farin has been seen playing the lead role.
Talking about the film, Rafi said that the making, style and genre of Nisshash are totally different from his other works.
Read: Ananta Jalil broke our contract: 'Din: The Day' director
“I’m lucky that one of my films is going to be released on such an OTT platform as Chorki. Thousands of people across the world stream Chorki, which means my film is going to be exposed to a lot of people at the same time,” said Rafi.
Replying to a question, the director said that he is a person who lives among movies.
“My life is a movie itself. I’m always busy with something related to films. I haven’t even taken a one week break since starting working on films. Maybe that’s why I’ve been able to deliver so much work within such a short time,” added Rafi.
Read Legal notice seeks complete ban on screening Hawa
The director also said that he wants to give the audience something worth watching.
“We had to build a huge set as around 50-60 artists have worked in the film Nisshash. I tried my best so that the audience doesn’t say that they’ve wasted their money on something unworthy. I hope the teaser of the film has given the audience an idea of what is to come,” said Rayhan Rafi.
Ananta Jalil broke our contract: 'Din: The Day' director
Iranian filmmaker Morteza Atashzamzam, director of the Bangladesh-Iran joint production "Din: The Day," has decided to sue Ananta Jalil, the lead actor of the movie, citing a breach of contract.
"Ananta Jalil broke our agreement and contract, he did not fulfil his responsibilities and promises as we agreed," Morteza wrote in an Instagram post Thursday.
He claimed Ananta breached the contract by distorting his creation and also shared an animation of the film's poster on an Instagram reel with the word "fake."
Read: Azmeri Haque Badhon: Starring the Title Role of 'Rehana Maryam Noor' Film Premiered in 74th Cannes
"The name of the movie was supposed to be "Day" (rooz) but nothing happened as we planned. I was the main and major producer but he continued the production in his way, with his content and form and shapes," he wrote.
The Iranian filmmaker said he would sue Ananta and register a complaint against him at the court in Tehran, Iran, and have it followed up by an international lawyer at the court in Bangladesh.
Morteza added that he would also reveal the original contract in public and the main budget of the film. "It's time for Ananta Jalil to pay back his debt to the Iranian team. The legal prosecution will reveal the whole truth in due time."
Shakib Khan back home after nine months
After nine months of living in the United States, Dhallywood superstar Shakib Khan finally returned to his beloved motherland Bangladesh on Wednesday noon. The actor immediately got showered with massive love from his crazy fans.
Shakib landed in Bangladesh on August 17, 2022 at 1 pm (local time) by a Turkish Airlines flight, after a hectic 21- hour journey.
Fans and admirers of the megastar came from different parts of the country and ultimately took over the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, resulting in huge traffic on the entire airport area and several points in the city including Uttara and Banani.
Read:Superstar Shakib Khan to seek AL nomination
After landing in his motherland, Shakib Khan told journalists that he is stunned to get this massive and overwhelming reaction from his beloved fans. He will bring exciting new projects soon and also be completing his unfinished projects very soon.
On Monday, Shakib wrote a heartfelt tribute from the John F Kennedy Airport in New York, reflecting on his nine-months long stayover in the US.
“Whenever life has presented me with a challenge, or when I've set myself a challenge to break down - I have always won through the grace of the Almighty and the love of my millions of fans. The past nine months in the US have been a challenge in my life, and once again I have successfully completed it along with your love,” Shakib Khan wrote from his verified Facebook page.
Read Film Rajkumar: Everything about Shakib Khan’s Upcoming Movie with US Actress
However, those nine months were like living in invisible chains, he mentioned. “Great people find themselves formerly isolated when they do great things! Each time they start over with a new understanding, their tomorrow!”
Reflecting on his newly found understanding on relationships with people, he wrote: “At the moment, I found numerous people in far-off countries, who accepted me as their family member and supported me mentally. On the other hand, I have moreover realized that a few of those whom I thought were mine until presently were not truly mine.”
“Nevertheless, I received the most comprehensive blind support in this life from millions of fans at home and abroad who have always stood by me and loved me selflessly.”
Read Shakib Khan at odds with acting association's stance on Pori Moni
Shakib concluded by saying that although he does not know why, he required this transformation to rediscover and comprehend his life's philosophy, reality, and everything else. He mentioned that throughout this time, he closely imagined every aspect of his life, just like he usually does in films.
“This time has helped me rethink the world and myself. Inshallah, if we live, the days ahead will be more lovely.” Shakib Khan wrote on the post.
On November 12, 2021, Shakib went to the US and made an announcement about his production company SK Films' latest production ‘Rajkumar’ there, which will also feature American actress Courtney Coffeyy.
Read Ananta Jalil brushes off 'Din: The Day' director's allegations
The popular Bangladeshi actor Shakib Khan will begin work on the government-funded movie ‘Maya’ next month. Puja Cherry will be the female lead in the movie, which will mark their second collaboration after ‘Golui.’
Bongo brings 'The Groomsmen' as 'Bhai Brothers'
Video streaming platform Bongo has released American comedy film "The Groomsmen," dubbed in Bangla as "Bhai Brothers."
The story revolves around a groom and his four groomsmen.
The Groomsmen stars Edward Burns, Jessica Capshaw, Spencer Fox, John Leguizamo, Matthew Lillard, Brittany Murphy, and Donal Logue.
Read: Bongo brings Bangla dubbed 'Beauty and the Beast'
The film's screenplay was written and directed by the film's protagonist Edward. And it was said the inspiration for the film comes from the real life of Edward and her then-girlfriend, supermodel Christy Turlington.
Paulie (Edward), a writer by profession, is getting ready to marry her long-term girlfriend Sue (Brittany), who is five months pregnant. He feels a little bit frightened of this greater responsibility of being both husband and father.
When Paulie is fighting with greater confusion, his childless envious big brother Jimbo influences him not to get married. But the story does not end here.
Read Bongo brings Bangla dubbed 'Kaalidas'
Bongo's Bangla dubbed film 'Bhai Brothers' is expected to get good response from the movie enthusiast.
Pori Moni, Razz have baby boy
Dhallywood stars Pori Moni and Shariful Razz were blessed with a baby boy Wednesday.
Their son, Rajya, was born at a city hospital in the evening.
Both the mother and the newborn are healthy now, Razz told the media.
Read: CID to probe Boat Club businessman Nasir’s case against Pori Moni
Pori and Razz were showered with love by their colleagues, fans and followers on social media after the news came out.
The actors first met while working in the movie "Gunin." Seven days after that, they tied the knot on October 17 last year.
Read Drug case against Pori Moni: HC stays trial proceedings for 3 months