Film
Siam to play male lead in Burqa Boxers spinoff
“Shaan” famed young Bangladeshi actor Siam Ahmed has joined the cast of “In the Ring (Story of a Burqa Boxer),” making his debut in a lead role for any Indian film project.
World-famous entertainment website Variety reported the news on Friday, stating that Siam joined the cast alongside young Indian actress Mithila Palkar, popularly known for Netflix’s “Little Things,” and veteran Indian comedian-actor Jaaved Jaaferi.
The film is a psychological thriller set in the female Muslim boxing society of Khidderpore, Kolkata, India, about Shama, a 17-year-old boxer who swaps places with her twin to fight in the national championship after she is accused of murdering her aunt.
Alongside Siam, Mithila and Jaaved, the film also casts Razia Shabnam, one of the first Indian women to become an international boxing referee and coach.
US-based Indian filmmaker Alka Raghuram will direct the Hindi-language film. She previously filmed the renowned documentary "Burqa Boxers," depicting the stories of Muslim women boxers in Kolkata.
Sreyashii Sengupta of Singapore-based Darpan Global and Souvikk Dasgupta of India's Oriizon Global are producing the film, with Rick Ambros of Los Angeles working as executive producer.
The film's principal photography will begin in India in December 2022.
Also read: 'Shaan’ portrays the story of real Bangladeshi heroes: Siam Ahmed
Trailer of Shyam Benegal's 'Mujib - The Making of a Nation' premiered at Cannes
The much-anticipated trailer of the biopic on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's life titled 'Mujib - The Making of a Nation', premiered on the third day of the 75th edition of the world-famous Cannes Film Festival's Marche du Film section in the south of France.
The 99-second trailer of the biopic, a joint venture between Bangladesh and India directed by the acclaimed Indian director Shyam Benegal, was premiered at the Indian pavilion at 6pm local time.
The trailer launching ceremony was joined by Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, Indian Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur, Bangladesh Ambassador to France Khondker M Talha, Bangladesh Film Development Corporation Managing Director Nuzhat Yeasmin and others, alongside lead actors of the film Arifin Shuvoo and Nusrat Imrose Tisha.
In his speech, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said, "The film 'Mujib' depicts the glorious life of our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his victorious struggle for the nation and his absolute self-sacrifice."
The film also stars Nusraat Faria Mazhar as Sheikh Hasina, and Riaz Ahmed as Tajuddin Ahmed among others.
'Mujib: The making of a Nation' is slated to release in September this year.
Also read: World premiere of ‘Mujib Amar Pita’ held
Arefin Shuvo to attend Cannes Film Festival Tuesday
Popular film star Arifin Shuvo will leave Dhaka for Cannes on Tuesday to attend the 75th Cannes Film Festival.
He will represent the trailer of the movie ‘Mujib’, based on the biography of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
In his reaction to the festival, Arifin Shuvo said, “It is very pleasant to me as I am going to Cannes for the first time. It feels to me like dream. I have got the chance to attend the festival. This is a big honour for me. I am grateful to my fans as everything has become possible for them. My love to them.”
Cannes Film Festival will start on Tuesday (May 17). Actress Nusrat Imroz Tisha, who acted in the role of Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, wife of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the ‘Mujib’ film, and Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud might also go to the Cannes.
Besides, the Indian information minister along with some team members of the film will also present.
Mujib, film is co-produced by Bangladesh and India and directed by Shyam Benegal. It stars Arifin Shuvo leads the role of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Also read: World premiere of ‘Mujib Amar Pita’ held
Star Cineplex to open new branch at Bangabandhu Military Museum Thursday
Bangladesh's first multiplex chain Star Cineplex will open its latest branch at Bangabandhu Military Museum Thursday.
The branch – Star Cineplex's fifth in Dhaka – will screen movies with a single screen, Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, senior manager (media and marketing) at Star Cineplex, told UNB.
It will run three shows at 11am, 1:40pm and 4:15pm, he added.
Star Cineplex now has branches at Shimanto Shambhar (Dhanmondi), Sony Square (Mirpur), SKS Tower (Mohakhali) and Bashundhara City Shopping Mall (Panthapath).
The popular cinema hall franchise is also preparing to open several other multiplexes outside Dhaka – namely, Chattogram, Cumilla and Bogura.
To enthral Bangladeshi moviegoers with world-class amenities, Star Cineplex opened its first branch on October 6, 2004, as Bangladesh's first-ever multiplex at Bashundhara City Shopping Mall in Dhaka.
Latest domestic and Hollywood films are regularly being screened at its citywide multiplexes.
Also read: Star Cineplex to open its maiden theatre in Chattogram next year December 24, 2021
Animation film on Bangabandhu screened in New York
The country's first animation based on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, 'Mujib Amar Pita', has been screened in New York.
The world premiere of the film was held at the Bombay Theater in Queens, New York on Sunday, said a PID handout here on Monday.
The ICT Division made the animation based on the book titled "Sheikh Mujib Amar Pita", authored by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, aiming to uphold Bangabandhu’s life before all particularly the new generation at home and abroad.
READ: World premiere of ‘Mujib Amar Pita’ held
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque was present as the chief guest at the premiere, while State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak as the special guest.
Palak said the film was earlier screened in different cinema halls in Bangladesh. Now the world premiere was organized in New York to uphold Bangabandhu's life, philosophy and political ideology in the world arena.
He said another film is being made on the basis of Bangabandhu’s unfinished memoirs ‘Oshomapto Attojiboni.’
Noting that a game was made on the Liberation War, he said it is being possible to unlock the potential of Bangladesh in the gaming and animation market.
The ‘Mujib Amar Pita’ film, directed by Sohel Mohammad Rana will later be screened in different cities of the United States.
Eminent lyricist, journalist KG Mostafa passes away
Renowned lyricist KG Mostafa (84), the legendary lyricist of numerous evergreen songs from the golden era of Bengali cinema, passed away on Sunday night. He was 84 years old.
A senior member of the National Press Club, Mostafa breathed his last at his home in Azimpur at 8 pm on Sunday, according to National Press Club Joint Secretary Ashraf Ali Ashraf.
His namaz-e-janaza will be held on Monday at the premises of Press Club after Zuhr prayers, Ashraf informed.
Born on July 1st, 1936, in Begumganj of Noakhali district, KG Mostafa completed his Alma Matters from the Department of Bangla at Dhaka University. He then began his career as a lyricist and journalist.
KG Mostafa is known for writing many popular songs, including “Tomare Legeche Eto Je Bhalo, Chaand Bujhi Ta Jaane” from the movie 'Rajdhanir Buke' (1960) starring Rahman-Shabnam. This iconic track was composed by Pakistani-Bangladeshi playback singer and film music composer Robin Ghosh and sung by famous Indian singer Talat Mahmood.
Another of his popular songs is “Aayna Te Oi Mukh Dekhbe Jokhon,” composed by Robin Ghosh and sung by eminent Bangladeshi playback singer Mahmudun Nabi. This song was used in the movie 'Nacher Putul' (1971) starring the popular on-screen duo Razzak and Shabnam.
"Ogo Lajuk Lata," "Shohorbashi Shono" are some of the other popular songs penned by KG Mostafa.
In his esteemed career, KG Mostafa worked as a prominent journalist, columnist and poet. He was the editor of ‘Shachitra Bangladesh’ magazine.
Also read: Celebrity astrologer, lyricist Kausar Ahmed Chowdhury passes away
‘Hasina: A Daughter’s Tale’ screened in Nigeria
‘Hasina: A Daughter’s Tale’- a docudrama - has been screened in the 12th edition of International Zuma Film Festival in Abuja, Nigeria that drew huge viewers.
Bangladesh High Commission, Abuja screened the docudrama on May 5 in association with the Nigerian Film Corporation and Federal Capital Territory Administration of Government of Nigeria.
The viewers included members of diplomatic corps, renowned film makers, notable film personalities, businessmen, Nigerian dignitaries and students, Bangladeshi community and media, among others.
During the opening ceremony, Md. Anisur Rahman, Acting High Commissioner of the Mission welcomed the guests.
While highlighting political life of Sheikh Hasina, he mentioned that Bangladesh has achieved tremendous progress in the country under her dynamic leadership.
While briefly focusing Bangladesh’s recent socio-economic development, Bidosh Chandra Barman, Counsellor (Political) outlined the existing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Nigeria.
Speaking about cultural relations, he expressed hope that screening the docudrama in Nigeria would open a new vista in the field of people-to-people contact between the two countries.
READ: Three-day special screening of ‘Hasina: A Daughter’s Tale’ begins at Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2022
Steve Eboh, Nigerian renowned Film Director and Film Producer mentioned that Bangladesh and Nigeria have been enjoying friendly relations since long ago. He added that screening of ‘Hasina: A Daughter’s Tale’ would elevate the existing relations into a new height.
In concluding remarks, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, CEO/Managing Director of Nigerian Film Corporation and Chairman of the Zuma Film Festival mentioned that both Bangladesh and Nigeria enjoy friendly relations under the aegis of the United Nations and other international organizations, while working together to explore new avenues of cooperation in the field of culture.
He also mentioned that leaders of tomorrow can learn from Bangladesh’s current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He wished the screening of docudrama success.
After screening, while interacting with the crew members present, CEO/Managing Director of Nigerian Film Corporation and Chairman of the Zuma Film Festival, renowned Film Director and Film Producer, Actress and film enthusiasts expressed that they enjoyed the docudrama much.
Its story telling, sound and music were excellent.
The story touched them while saying that ‘Hasina: A Daughter’s Tale’ would remain in their minds. Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, CEO/Managing Director of Nigerian Film Corporation mentioned that the docudrama was heart-touching and revealing.
It was a story of struggle, sacrifice and passion for service. He also mentioned that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been continuing his father’s legacy while carrying the same legacy to her grandchildren.
Steve Eboh, Nigerian renowned Film Director and Film Producer maintained that the docudrama was a combination of emotion, picture, sound, perfect production and wonderful story.
The docudrama captured, projected and produced insight of the soul of Bangladesh, he added.
Gloria Opeyagiyemi, Nigerian Actress and Script Writer said that the struggle of Prime Minister is inspiring to her.
'Rickshaw Girl' to premiere in New York on May 5
Good news for move buffs! Amitabh Reza Chowdhury's much-talked-about film 'Rickshaw Girl' is all set to have its premiere in New York on May 5.
Hosted by Bioscope Films, the premiere of the movie will be held at the city's famous theatre 'Village East by Angelica', according to Bioscope CEO Raj Hamid.
Also read:Bongo to bring another 7 original telefictions this Eid
Amitabh, lead actor Novera Rahman, Momena Chowdhury and many others will be present at the premiere.
"Manhattan's 'Village East by Angelica' theatre is a history in itself. We have made all arrangements to make the day memorable, including the red carpet event and more," Raj said.
At the premiere, cinephiles will also have the opportunity to take part in a Q&A session with the crew of the movie.
Also read:Chorki releases third episode of Nuhash Humayun’s “Pett Kata Shaw”
The film is based on the Indian-American author Mitali Perkins' book 'Rickshaw Girl', and she will also be present at the event alongside the cast and crew.
‘Rickshaw Girl’ will be screened at Jamaica Multiplex from May 6-12. The movie will then run in 52 cities in 19 states of America.
Novera has played the role of Naima in the movie. The film also stars Champa, Momena, Naresh Bhuiyan and Allen Shuvro.
‘Payer Tolay Mati Nai’ bags top award at Nepal Intl Film Fest
Bangladeshi film ‘Payer Tolay Mati Nai’ recently received the Gautam Buddha Award as the best full-length film at the Nepal International Film Festival.
‘Payer Tolay Mati Nai’ is directed by Mohammad Rabbi Mridha and produced by Abu Shahed Emon.
Producer Abu Shahed Emon said their film was first screened at the Busan International Film Festival. It has been screened at various film festivals around the world. It previously received the special critics award at the Jaffna Film Festival in Sri Lanka, he informed.
READ: Oscar Best Picture Winners: Looking Back at the Last 15 Years
However, this is the first time they have bagged the best film award under the main category at any festival.
The film stars National Award-winning actress Dipannita Martin, Mostafa Monwar and Priyam Archie.
Gunin premieres alongside Pori-Raj wedding ceremony (again)
'Gunin', a film directed by Gias Uddin Selim starring controversial actress Pori Moni and her offscreen paramour, premiered Wednesday in a wedding ceremony vibe. Its theatrical release is set for March 11
A wedding ceremony of the two main characters of the film, Rabeya and Ramiz played by Pori Moni and Shariful Raj respectively, was showcased at the premiere.
Pori Moni and Shariful Raj tied the knot recently, after they started dating while shooting for Gunin.
Read: Pori Moni-Raaz announces pregnancy
The premier event and wedding set was designed at Chef's Table Courtside in the capital’s on Madani Avenue.
Filmmaker and OTT platform Charki’s chief operating officer Redwan Rony gave a welcome speech. Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman also spoke at the event.
Gias Uddin Selim, actors and actresses also gave short speeches.
Actors Dilara Zaman, Iresh Jaker, Mostafa Monwar, artist Sarkar Apu, Jhuna Chowdhury and members of the film crew were present at the event.