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.