Lubaba Mahjabin Prima

Contributor for Arts & Entertainment and Star Showbiz.

‘The Bong Connection’: Tracing identity in a globalised world

When “The Bong Connection”, directed by Anjan Dutt, was released in 2006, legendary director Rituparno Ghosh called actor Parambrata Chatterjee and told him that he could never make a film like that. What was so special about the movie that Rituparno himself was envious of the creation?

3w ago

Ensuring decent and dignified work in Bangladesh

As Bangladesh continues its journey towards economic restructuring, it is imperative to create jobs that provide dignity and security for its people.

3m ago

‘Talvar’: The gripping thriller you can't miss

“Talvar”, released internationally as “Guilty”, is a 2015 crime thriller directed by Meghna Gulzar and written by Vishal Bhardwaj. Loosely based on the infamous 2008 Noida double murder case, the film chronicles the brutal killings of a teenage girl and her elderly male servant. The case, which captivated public attention, saw her parents and several local servants implicated by various investigative bodies.

5m ago

Why ‘Kahaani’ remains an enduring classic

When “Kahaani”, directed by Sujoy Ghosh, was released in 2012, it created a significant impact. Both critically and commercially successful, the film was lauded for its women-centric theme and realistic approach to filmmaking. Over a decade later, it still stands as a compelling watch.

5m ago

Farooki’s ‘Last Defenders of Monogamy’ is lacklustre

Once musician Xefer took a turn and decided to debut as an actor while also adopting a new look with straightened hair, that too for Mostofa Sarwar Farooki’s project, it left netizens mesmerised. Moreover, the awestruck people were also eagerly awaiting her on-screen pairing with seasoned actor Chanchal Chowdhury. However, the anticipation led to much disappointment when the greater bit of the audience did not find the movie appealing.

8m ago

‘Expats’: Of love and loss  

The show begins with the abrupt disappearance of Margaret’s youngest son while he was with Mercy. This incident triggers a series of events, also involving Margaret’s neighbour Hilary. As these women navigate their deep-rooted traumas and terrible sense of loss, the series highlights the role of the megastructures of patriarchy and capitalism in individual lives.

9m ago

A reflection on the not-so-great kitchen of households

Kitchens constitute an essential part of our lives, a space whose power dynamics we often overlook. But if cinema reflects our lives, shouldn't it highlight even the most mundane aspects? "The Great Indian Kitchen", a 2021 Malayalam movie written and directed by Jeo Baby, prompts us to consider just that.

9m ago

Contemplating unanswered echoes of ‘Mr and Mrs Iyer’

More often than not, a film leaves you marred with questions, and you ponder over all the ifs and buts of what will unfold next. The film “Mr and Mrs Iyer”, along with all the emotions it invokes, is one that forces us to wonder about the ‘what ifs’.

11m ago
October 11, 2022
October 11, 2022

Remembering the freedom fighter turned filmmaker, Chashi Nazrul Islam

Can you imagine Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in a movie? That is exactly what happened in 1973, on the set of the movie "Sangram". The man behind this unimaginable feat was one of the finest directors of Bangladesh, Chashi Nazrul Islam.

October 10, 2022
October 10, 2022

‘Foreigners Only’: Nuhash Humayun reminds us of our colonised roots

A dark comedy, with artistic value and a brilliant satirical take on the social fabric of formerly colonised countries, "Foreigners Only" is yet another masterpiece by Nuhash Humayun.

October 6, 2022
October 6, 2022

A failed portrait of Marilyn Monroe?

Ever since the teaser for Andrew Dominik's "Blonde" was released, it received a lot of publicity. The film is based on a novel of the same name, and is a fictionalised take on the life and career of the illusive American actress, Marilyn Monroe.

October 5, 2022
October 5, 2022

The fault in some socio-political films

“Sherdil: The Pilibhit Saga”, released in June, is indeed a breath of fresh air from the other recent projects of Srijit. It is based on the character Gangaram, a village chief, who offers to sacrifice his life for his villagers. When the harvests at the village are bad for consecutive years, and he fails to attain any government scheme to support his starving people, he hatches a plot.

September 28, 2022
September 28, 2022

Celebrating Durga Puja with on-screen favourites

Mahalya has arrived once again, bringing with it the spirituality and festivity that many of us love and cherish. And while the festivities alone are joyous enough for us to celebrate the holiday, it would be even more delightful to watch a few good movies that captivate the essence of the occasion.

September 27, 2022
September 27, 2022

Hatirpool Sessions: When friendship and music come together

A group of friends talking, laughing and creating music. A room filled with beautiful doodles in the background, and books scattered all around. This is the setting for Hatirpool Sessions.

September 21, 2022
September 21, 2022

5 South Asian films highlighting women in sports

Recently, all of Bangladesh is celebrating the success of our tigresses at the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women’s Championship this year. However, for South Asian women, choosing sports as a profession is rarely encouraged.

September 19, 2022
September 19, 2022

Ginsberg, Dylan, Bhowmik’s anti-war pleas still relevant today

Fifty-one years ago, in this very month of September, Allen Ginsberg visited the Jessore Road. Upon his return to America, he would write the anti-war poem “September on Jessore Road”, which would be monumental in shifting the opinions of Americans to oppose the support of Pakistan in the Liberation War.

September 19, 2022
September 19, 2022

‘O Sajna’: Neha Kakkar’s rendition induces mixed reactions

Yesterday, the teaser for Neha Kakkar’s latest song, "O Sajna", was released. The song premiered in its entirety earlier today (September 19). “O Sajna” is a rendition of the song “Maine Payal Hai Chhankai” by Falguni Pathak from 1999.

September 18, 2022
September 18, 2022

BBC’s 'Royal Family': A documentary or propaganda?

After the Second World War, Europe went through a phase of modernisation, with the royal family becoming increasingly irrelevant to the common man. In order to sweeten and modernise their image, Lord Brabourne suggested using the new medium of television.