I had no intention of being an actor” -- Ferdous

Actor Ferdous is busy shooting for both Dhaliwood and Tollywood films. He is also producing a film “Ek Cup Cha.” Noim Imtiaz Neyamul is directing the film.
“The story is quite remarkable. I hope the audience will head towards movie theatres to watch the film,” said Ferdous.
Ferdous has recently acted in the film “Guerrilla”, directed by Nasiruddin Yousuff. “It's been a great opportunity for me to act in this film. The film is based on the Liberation War and has received financial assistance from the Government of Bangladesh. The film is an adaptation of a Syed Shamsul Haq story,” he said.
Asked about his experiences of acting in the film, the actor said, “It was truly an interesting experience. I've done more of a cameo in the film. I play a university teacher. Shooting was held in the northern parts of the country.”
About acting in Tollywood (Kolkata-based movie industry), Ferdous said, “So far I have acted in around 15 Tollywood films in the last two years.”
About Bangladeshi films, Ferdous pointed out that prior to working in “Guerrilla”, he acted in the film “Jolrong” directed by Shahnewaz Kakoli.
What are the noticeable differences between Dhaliwood and Tollywood films? “Distinctions are conspicuous. Commitment to work gives a boost to Tollywood films. A debate is on in our country right now, regarding whether Hindi films are to be screened or not. My view is that if we screen 10 Hindi films in Bangladesh, they have to screen 10 Bangladeshi films in India,” he responded.

I wasn’t perceived as a successful actor” --Abhay Deol

At the beginning of his Bollywood innings Abhay Deol was not perceived successful as his films failed to click at the box office but the actor says initial roadblocks helped him take further risks in his career.
Abhay made his debut with “Socha Naa Tha” in 2005. The actor, who will be seen in a romantic role in “Aisha”, says he had set rules for himself before stepping into the world of Bollywood, which helped him avoid stereotypes.
“My plan was to begin with a film like 'Socha Na Tha' and then in films like 'Ek Chalis...' or 'Manorama'. It was unfortunate that my earlier films flopped at the box office. I wasn't perceived as a successful actor and my career didn't make people stand up and say 'Oh God, let's check out this guy',” Abhay tells PTI.
The 34-year-old star, who has delivered gems like “Oye Lucky Lucky Oye” and “Dev D” that turned out to be commercial as well as critical success, says initial flops also helped him understand the business of cinema.
“All of this was only a blessing in disguise because now I could start taking further risks. I could afford to do films like 'Dev D' and 'Oye Lucky Lucky Oye'

Theatre festival at Natmandal begins

A weeklong theatre festival, featuring works of globally renowned playwrights, has begun at Natmandal, Dhaka University (DU), on August 11. The Department of Theatre, DU has arranged the festival, showcasing plays directed by final year students. On the first day, a comedy -- “Constantinople Smith” -- and Harold Pinter's “Landscape” were staged.
Former Chief Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman was the chief guest at the inaugural progra-mme. Vice Chancellor of DU, Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique formally inaugurated the festival. Among others, Professor Harun-ur-Rashid, Pro-Vice Chancellor; Professor Mizanur Rahman, Treasurer and Professor Sadrul Amin, Dean of Faculty of Arts, were present as special guests.
“Constantinople Smith” was written by American playwright Charles L Mee Junior. Mithun Chowdhury has directed the play, translated by Julhas Mian. The play features three characters -- Constantinople Smith, a young man who takes himself very seriously; Christina, who falls for Smith and Reality, who tries to explain the facts of relationship between Smith and Christina.
As the play progresses, conversations among the three characters continue.

YWCA wins Dhum Ta Na Cova Junior Stars ‘08-’09

Ekushey TV organised a children's dance competition which ended recently at the auditorium of Bangladesh Shishu Academy. The programme was aired on Ekushey TV. Industries Minister Dilip Barua was present as chief guest, while Harunur Rashid, chairman of Globe Soft Drinks was present as special guest. Ferdoushi Sultana, senior vice-president of Prime Bank Ltd; Sayed Alamgir, executive director of ACI Consumer Products Ltd; Abdus Salam, chairman and CEO of Ekushey TV; Atiqul Haque Chowdhury, advisor of Ekushey TV; Kaniz Almas Khan, CEO of Persona and popular actress Moushumi were present as guests.
Contestants for Dhum Ta Na Cova Junior Stars 2008-2009 were selected from 21 schools, including Viquarunnisa Noon School & College, Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts, YWCA Girls School, Holy Cross School and College, Tridhara Nrityakala Kendra, Oxford International School, The Aga Khan School and Spondon Cultural Organisation. Actress Moushumi was present as the main critic at the programme. Dance director Imdadul Haque Khokon, actresses Notun and Anjana, dancer Aziz Reza were present as members of the jury board at the programme.
YWCA won the championship award at Dhum Ta Na Cova Junior Stars Competition, the first runner-up was Tridhara and the second runner-up was Bulbul Lalit Kala. Nitro Rang Academy won Best Team Management Award.

Titas Ekti Nadir Naam” at Cannes Classic Film restored by the World Cinema Foundation

Ritwik Ghatak's cinematic opus “Titas Ekti Nadir Naam” was screened at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival (earlier this year), as part of its Classic section, according to a press release. This is the first Bangladeshi film that has had this honour.
“Titas Ekti Nadir Naam” is an adaptation of a book by Adwaita Malla Burman. The film explores the lives of the Malo community whose existence is inextricably intertwined with the Titas river in Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh. The black and white film has a dark, brooding character, probably derived from Ghatak's excruciatingly painful move from Dhaka (then East Bengal) to Calcutta (West Bengal).

Between subconscious and unconscious Niamul Bari’s solo exhibition at Dhaka Art Centre

Dhaka Art Centre has organised a two-week painting exhibition of Niamul Bari at its gallery in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. The exhibition was inaugurated on July 2. Bangladeshi expatriate painter Monirul Islam, and eminent architect and art critic Shamsul Wares were present as guests at the opening of the exhibition. Noted art critic Moinuddin Khaled presided over the programme.
Bari did his MFA in sculpture from the Institute of Fine Arts (now faculty of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka) and post diploma in Sculpture from Visva-Bharati University, India. He obtained further education in painting and sculpture at The Art Students League of New York, USA. The artist now lives in New York. Bari regularly visits Dhaka and is well informed about the current trends in Bangladeshi art.
Bari's paintings are intimately connected with characteristics of sculpture. The surface looks uneven and creates effects of vague shapes. His mode of expression is abstract expressionism, and the paintings depict damaged and abandoned facades.
About his works, Bari says, “My aim is to reach a spiritual level that exists between subconscious and unconscious. On the level of subconscious, energy is expre-ssed through body language. Bold lines, vibrant strokes and colours translate my insights. The darkness in my painting represents meditation. Without burning in meditation, one can't reach the level of 'no,' and 'no' is the level of unconscious.”
Bari's exhibition continues till July 16.

Dhallywood : 8-performer team to go to

A team of eight popular actors and singers from Bangladesh will go to Canada in order to perform at the first 'Federation of Bangladesh Association in Canada Convention' hosted by the National Bangladeshi-Canadian Council during the month of June and July.


FOBACA is designed to assist the Bangladeshi-Canadian generation in upholding their cultural origin as well as their nation's history involving independence.
The following performers will be representing the nation at the convention: Tania Ahmed, S I Tutul, Mosharrof Karim, Chanchal Chowdhuri, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Shaju Muntasir, Sharika and Nancy.
S I Tutul, Chanchol Chowdhury, Fazlur Rahman Babu and Nancy will sing while Tania, Mosharrof, Saju and Sharika dance to popular Bengali songs.
The artists will perform on the 4th of July in Montreal. However, the convention will be held in different Canadian cities each year.
The performers are scheduled to return to Dhaka on the 7th of July.

World Cup with Mila

Album featuring music videos of 10 songs by Mila and Upol, on the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2010, is now out in the market. Produced by G-Series, the album titled “World Cup with Mila,” also features music videos of “Tumi Ki Shara Dibey” (Fuad featuring Mila), “Shurjosnaney Chol” (Bappa Majumder), “Meye” (Topu), “Bhalobashi” (Raj and Mila), “Cholo Bhuley Jai” (Black).
The videos have been directed by Rommo Khan, Javed Iqbal Topu, Mehbuba Mehnoor Chandni, Tawhid Munim and others.

Shimanto” on Desh TV tonight

TV serial “Shimanto” will be aired tonight on Desh TV at 8:15pm. The serial is written and directed by Badrul Anam Soud.
The story of the serial revolves around a merchant's family in a village. A gypsy (Bedey) mistakenly murders Azmat, a merchant, as he seeks his sister's killers. After his death, Azmat's younger brother comes forward to look after the family.
The story takes a twist when the merchant's in-laws come to the younger brother's house. They want to bring back their daughter Rupa, so that they can marry her off again. Thinking about the family's future, Azmat's mother wants to marry off Rupa with Azmat's younger brother.
The cast includes Suborna Mostafa, Saberi Alam, Mamunur Rashid, Shams Sumon, Jitu Ahsan, Intekhab Dinar and Bonna Mirza.

Shabnoor paired with newcomer Arzu

Leading film actress Shabnoor has been paired with newcomers in Dhallywood -- such as Nadim and Emon -- time and again. This time the actress has been cast with young actor Arzu who created ripples with his debut film "Tumi Achho Hridoye".
Audiences of mainstream films will get to watch the duo in the movie "Jibon Nadir Tirey", directed by Monir Hossain Mithu. Mithu has worked as an assistant for noted filmmakers like Dilip Biswas, Shibly Sadik, Jibon Rahman and Jibon Chowdhury.
Details on the film will be revealed soon. Shooting for the film is expected to begin from February 1 at Shushong Durgapur in Netrakona.
Written by Zaman Akhtar, the cast of the film also includes Dolly Zahur, Sadek Bachchu and Afzal Sharif. Debendranath Chattapaddhyay (of "Moner Majhey Tumi" fame) is the music director of the film.

Jamai Mela, on Banglavision

TV serial “Jamai Mela” will be aired tonight on Banglavision at 8:15pm. Written by Brindaban Das, the serial has been directed by Azharul Karim.
The story of the serial revolves around a village. Most of the males from the village live abroad. As a result, the villager elders often marry off their daughters and keep the in-laws at their house. The story takes a twist, when one day the in-laws want to arrange a 'jamai mela'.
Mosharraf Karim, Chanchal Chowdhury, Shamim Zaman, Azizul Haque, Dr. Enamul Haque, Nova, Alvi, Dihan, Shahnaz Khushi and Putul are the lead characters in the serial.

Actor of many seasons

Chanchal Chowdhury is a busy and popular TV and film actor. After his debut blockbuster film “Monpura,” Chanchal is busy with a new film, “Rupkathar Galpo” and plays a role in Gautam Ghosh's film, “Moner Manush” as well.
Acting goes side by side with modelling. The actor recently talked to The Daily Star (TDS) about his numerous assignments.
TDS: What are you currently busy with?
Chanchal Chowdhury: A number of drama serials and single episode TV plays are on hand. I am acting in three drama serials “Barisal-er Mama Bhagney,” “Cafeteria” and another untitled work. All of them are directed by Golam Sohrab Dodul. Directed by Aranya Anwar, two serials “Kabiraj Golap Shah” and “Gents' Tailors Pvt. Ltd” were scheduled to go on air on Channel 1. The shooting of the serials is currently on hold as the channel is now switched off.
My present serials are, “No Problem Dot Com” , “Kancher Phul” and “Asharey Galpo”, directed by Manik Manobik, F. Zaman Tapash and Kochi Khandakar respectively. Directed by film actor Mahmud Koli, spectators will see me soon in a serial that will go on air on BTV. The title is yet to be decided.
TDS: Don't you find it difficult to take on so many serials?
Chanchal Chowdhury: The serials I mentioned will keep me busy for a few months. Schedules are set accordingly, so the problems don't seem acute. As acting is my profession, I can cope with a number of serials. Anyway, I forgot to mention another of my ongoing works “Nokshi Kanthar Maath” ,written by Palli Kabi Jasimuddin. Rajib Hasan is directing the TV play.
TDS: You personify different characters in each TV play or serial that you take on. Local dialects are also noticeable in the many roles you play. Will your fans get to see you taking on a new dialect?
Chanchal Chowdhury: I am a theatre activist so I may do so. At present, I am taking on a role in Golam Sohrab Dodul's serial “Barisal-er Mama Bhagney” which is in the local dialect of Barisal. In the beginning I do face a few problems in doing new dialects but later it goes well. Besides, the dialect of Barisal is fantastic.
TDS: What about your film assignments?
Chanchal Chowdhury: My latest film is “Moner Manush”, directed by Gautam Ghosh. The film is all set to be released this year in Bangladesh and West Bengal.
TDS: What role do you play in “Moner Manush”?
Chanchal Chowdhury: My character is Kaloa Mirza, who is a friend of Lalon Shah. Kaloa Mirza once gave shelter to Lalon Shah in a jungle. Later, Lalon Shah founded an akhra in that jungle. I am satisfied with my role in the film.

Taking Bangladeshi artistic sensibilities overseas

Renowned dancer Shibli Mohammad will be one of the main judges on an upcoming reality show to be aired on ETV Bangla, Kolkata. The Bangladeshi artiste will join famed Kolkata actress Deboshree Roy as the regular judges. Artistes -- both from Bollywood and Tollywood -- including Malaika Arora, Mahima Chowdhury, Priyanka Trivedi and Sulekha Mitra will appear as guest judges on different episodes.
Titled “Mamoni-Shonamoni,” the reality show will be a competition among teams consisting of mothers and their offspring. Shibli informed that the programme will have 66 episodes and is expected to go on air in August. He is the only Bangladeshi artiste to be featured on the show.
Indian actress Rituparna Sengupta is the brand ambassador of the programme. Shibli has previously worked with Rituparna, who is also a skilled dancer. They played the protagonists in two Tagore dance-dramas produced in Kolkata -- “Shyama” and “Shapmochan.” Couple of years ago, Shibli and Rituparna were judges on another Kolkata-based reality show “Jhum Ta Ra Ra.” Bangladeshi actor Ferdous was one of the guest judges on the show.
“Apart from regular competitors, celebrity mothers and their offspring, such as Dona and Sana Ganguly (wife and daughter of Sourav Ganguly), Mimoh and Yogeeta Chakraborty (son and wife of Mithun Chakraborty), Hema Malini and Esha Deol will also appear on the show as competitors, ” said Shibli.
“'Jhum Ta Ra Ra' was a celebrity dance competition but 'Mamoni Shonamoni' will highlight mothers and their sons and daughter from all walks of life,” he added.
While Shibli is preparing for the reality show, another big assignment is in the pipeline. Shibli will perform at the British Museum, London on July 10 as part of the cast of a Bangladeshi folk dance-drama “Shonai Madhob.” He will don the protagonist of the drama. Based on “Mymensingh Geetika,” the drama is directed by London-based Bangladeshi expatriate China Chowdhuy. Shibli informed that Chowdhury's organisation Taal Taranga is producing the drama. Shibli is scheduled for London on July 5.