Maisha Islam Monamee

Contributing writer for Arts & Entertainment and Star Youth.

Bangladeshi Aydha Mehnaz in Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe

Aydha Mehnaz, a 29 year old Bangladeshi, has been featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list under the Media and Marketing category. Aydha is VIP and Media Relations Lead at fashion brand Mugler, a French luxury fashion house owned by L’Oréal Group. Under her leadership, Mugler's media impact value soared from $58 million pre-Covid to now over $200 million, states Forbes. 

1w ago

Nazir Hossain’s ‘Boishakh in the Land of Tiger’ roars to life at AFD

Each painting in the exhibition tells a unique story, inspired by folklore, mythology, and the artist’s own imagination. From lush forests teeming with wildlife to bustling village scenes and joyous Boishakh festivities, they offer a glimpse into a world of beauty, wonder, and timeless tradition. He employs a unique blend of folk motifs, indigenous symbols, and captivating fables, to weave a narrative enriched in cultural significance. Some paintings also have references to other art forms, like nakshi katha and rickshaw painting, to name a few.

2w ago

Hrithik-Deepika starrer ‘Fighter’ soars high on action

Directed by Siddharth Anand, "Fighter" propels Bollywood into the world of high-octane aerial action, a genre explored rarely in Indian cinema. Starring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, the film not only is a thrilling cinematic experience but also a great instalment for a full-fledged action franchise. It is currently streaming on Netflix and is trending at the top amongst movies being consumed in the country.

3w ago

‘Murder Mubarak’: Does it live up to the hype?

Netflix's "Murder Mubarak" unfolds within the opulent walls of the Royal Delhi Club, a playground for the city's elite. However, the facade of sophistication shatters when a prominent member is found dead. The film boasts a glamorous setting and a promising cast, aiming to weave intrigue with its whodunit narrative. Director Homi Adajania injects humour into the proceedings by presenting different versions of the same scene.

3w ago

A trend on the rise: The phenomenon of AI-generated advertisements

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly transformed various sectors, and advertising is no exception. With advancements in deep learning algorithms and neural networks, modern AI has become increasingly proficient in generating realistic imagery, including ad campaigns without human intervention.

4w ago

Dissecting the female gaze in Bollywood

For decades, Bollywood has been primarily driven by the "male gaze," where women were portrayed through the lens of male desire and societal expectations. They presented women in stereotypical roles, often as damsels in distress, sacrificing lovers, or objects of desire. This male gaze manifested in hyper-sexualisation, passive narratives and limited agency. Women rarely drove the plot. Their actions and desires revolved around men, reinforcing traditional gender roles. They were portrayed as lacking control over their lives, with their choices dictated by societal norms or male characters.

Breaking barriers: Unveiling the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs

The theme for this year’s Women’s Day, "Invest in women: Accelerate Progress," resonates deeply in today’s entrepreneurial landscape. While recent years have seen a commendable increase in the number of female-led startups, a persistent challenge remains – the funding gap. As we continue to celebrate the rise of female entrepreneurs, it is crucial to acknowledge the systemic challenges they face, particularly the fact that investors still hesitate to trust solo women founders, creating barriers to their success. 

Shark Tank Bangladesh: Can this be a game-changer for local startups?

The popular television series 'Shark Tank', known for its presence in more than 40 countries, is set to launch a localised edition in Bangladesh. The show has already helped the startup scene in various countries, including the United States, Australia, Russia, and India. With all its impact, how will the business-oriented reality show fare in this country?

April 9, 2024
April 9, 2024

Bangladeshi Aydha Mehnaz in Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe

Aydha Mehnaz, a 29 year old Bangladeshi, has been featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list under the Media and Marketing category. Aydha is VIP and Media Relations Lead at fashion brand Mugler, a French luxury fashion house owned by L’Oréal Group. Under her leadership, Mugler's media impact value soared from $58 million pre-Covid to now over $200 million, states Forbes. 

March 31, 2024
March 31, 2024

Nazir Hossain’s ‘Boishakh in the Land of Tiger’ roars to life at AFD

Each painting in the exhibition tells a unique story, inspired by folklore, mythology, and the artist’s own imagination. From lush forests teeming with wildlife to bustling village scenes and joyous Boishakh festivities, they offer a glimpse into a world of beauty, wonder, and timeless tradition. He employs a unique blend of folk motifs, indigenous symbols, and captivating fables, to weave a narrative enriched in cultural significance. Some paintings also have references to other art forms, like nakshi katha and rickshaw painting, to name a few.

March 26, 2024
March 26, 2024

Hrithik-Deepika starrer ‘Fighter’ soars high on action

Directed by Siddharth Anand, "Fighter" propels Bollywood into the world of high-octane aerial action, a genre explored rarely in Indian cinema. Starring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, the film not only is a thrilling cinematic experience but also a great instalment for a full-fledged action franchise. It is currently streaming on Netflix and is trending at the top amongst movies being consumed in the country.

March 22, 2024
March 22, 2024

‘Murder Mubarak’: Does it live up to the hype?

Netflix's "Murder Mubarak" unfolds within the opulent walls of the Royal Delhi Club, a playground for the city's elite. However, the facade of sophistication shatters when a prominent member is found dead. The film boasts a glamorous setting and a promising cast, aiming to weave intrigue with its whodunit narrative. Director Homi Adajania injects humour into the proceedings by presenting different versions of the same scene.

March 19, 2024
March 19, 2024

A trend on the rise: The phenomenon of AI-generated advertisements

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly transformed various sectors, and advertising is no exception. With advancements in deep learning algorithms and neural networks, modern AI has become increasingly proficient in generating realistic imagery, including ad campaigns without human intervention.

March 8, 2024
March 8, 2024

Dissecting the female gaze in Bollywood

For decades, Bollywood has been primarily driven by the "male gaze," where women were portrayed through the lens of male desire and societal expectations. They presented women in stereotypical roles, often as damsels in distress, sacrificing lovers, or objects of desire. This male gaze manifested in hyper-sexualisation, passive narratives and limited agency. Women rarely drove the plot. Their actions and desires revolved around men, reinforcing traditional gender roles. They were portrayed as lacking control over their lives, with their choices dictated by societal norms or male characters.

March 8, 2024
March 8, 2024

Breaking barriers: Unveiling the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs

The theme for this year’s Women’s Day, "Invest in women: Accelerate Progress," resonates deeply in today’s entrepreneurial landscape. While recent years have seen a commendable increase in the number of female-led startups, a persistent challenge remains – the funding gap. As we continue to celebrate the rise of female entrepreneurs, it is crucial to acknowledge the systemic challenges they face, particularly the fact that investors still hesitate to trust solo women founders, creating barriers to their success. 

March 5, 2024
March 5, 2024

Shark Tank Bangladesh: Can this be a game-changer for local startups?

The popular television series 'Shark Tank', known for its presence in more than 40 countries, is set to launch a localised edition in Bangladesh. The show has already helped the startup scene in various countries, including the United States, Australia, Russia, and India. With all its impact, how will the business-oriented reality show fare in this country?

February 23, 2024
February 23, 2024

Unveiling ‘L’État, C'est Moi’: A journey through French aesthetics and culture

Last week, on February 15, 2024, Alliance Française de Dhaka hosted a book launching event for Dr Mahbubur Rahman’s 'L'État, C'est Moi'

February 22, 2024
February 22, 2024

Behind the scenes: Preparing stall layouts for the Ekushey Boi Mela

For most of the publishers, pavilion planning commenced as early as mid January and the organisers left no stone unturned in terms of planning the layout.

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