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.