Lubaba Mahjabin Prima

Contributor for Arts & Entertainment and Star Showbiz.

‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’: How a psychological horror became a comfort watch

Large ancestral mansions with tales unknown, deep mysteries looming for generations, exquisite interiors hiding years of misdeeds; the very factors that make history humane also make the places witnessing them areas of massive interest. A family drama unfolding in such a backdrop, with a cast executing fine performances, ought to be acclaimed. Yet, the true beauty of the 2007 psychological horror-comedy “Bhool Bhulaiyaa” lies in its appeal, even after all these years.

1m ago

Life in ‘Flow’

What is life if not a solitary journey, filled with challenges and surprises, treasured memories and emotions, friends and foes? If I told you that an animated film without any dialogue could fully capture the essence of solitude and life’s unpredictable turns, you might be surprised. “Flow” delivers exactly that surprise.

5m ago

‘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?

7m 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.

9m 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.

11m 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.

11m 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.

1y 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.

1y ago
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.

September 8, 2022
September 8, 2022

From 'Monsoon Wedding' to 'Highway': The Repressed World of Child Abuse

From Mira Nair’s “Monsoon Wedding” to Imtiaz Ali’s “Highway”, the chronicle of Hindi cinema mainly was linear with similar kinds of stories, songs, making and melodramatic extravaganza. Nevertheless, it is high time that the country, which is to date wrapped up with archaic societal injustice, discrimination and backdated familial norms, realises the importance of telling stories that had not been heard before.

September 6, 2022
September 6, 2022

Remembering the Samurai of Filmmaking, Akira Kurosawa

Today marks the 112th birthday of the enigmatic filmmaker, Akira Kurosawa. His love for films made him work prolifically, directing thirty films over the span of five decades.

September 1, 2022
September 1, 2022

‘Delhi Crime’ season 2: Revisiting the dark underbelly of Delhi

Delhi is a city with massive economic disparities, coupled with a population that is too large and a police force that is understaffed, one can only wonder what will happen when a series of murders start to take place throughout the city? This conundrum is explored in season two of “Delhi Crime”, through a brilliant cast, captured in the dark colour palettes and ominous music that resonates the gore amidst the bustle of Delhi.

September 1, 2022
September 1, 2022

The world of Rituparno Ghosh

Yesterday, August 31, marked the birthday of legendary filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh. Through his writing and direction Ritu took the audience to a world where the clouds deliver messages of gloom, where the separation of lovers is mourned, and where boundaries of gender roles crumble.

August 31, 2022
August 31, 2022

Chorki’s ‘Bandhobi’: A social commentary on migrant workers in Korea

Right from the beginning, Chorki, the online streaming service, has stood out for its distinct choice of content. This week, it added the Bengali dubbed version of “Bandhobi”, a 2009 South Korean independent film, which stars Bangladeshi actor Mahbub Alam. “Bandhobi” is written and directed by indie darling, Dong-il Shin, and showcases an unusual friendship between a rebellious teenage girl and a migrant worker in Korea. 

August 30, 2022
August 30, 2022

‘Sampurna’: Marriage does not equal consent

In a part of the world where women are told that marriages should be the centre of their lives, the web-series “Sampurna” offers a distinct take on the topic. The series, directed by Sayantan Ghoshal, is available on the Hoichoi app and website.

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