Shababa Iqbal

Shababa Iqbal is a Journalism graduate of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) and a sub-editor of ICE Today. She likes Jane Austen's novels and Disney movies. Email: [email protected].

‘Sunrise on the Reaping’: Fan service and repetitive themes weigh down ‘Hunger Games’ prequel

Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games series has captivated pop culture with its bold take on tyranny, sacrifice, and resistance, spanning Katniss Everdeen’s blazing defiance in The Hunger Games (2008) to her final stand in Mockingjay (2010) against Coriolanus Snow’s cold cruelty.

3m ago

‘Nadaaniyan’: It’s time for Bollywood to wake up to unskilled star kids

There is a great debate about nepotism in Hindi cinema. It's upsetting for everyone when clearly unskilled children of famous people are paraded as readymade movie stars, increasing the rift between the haves and the have-nots and highlighting the inequities of various systems across the screen. "Nadaaniyan", starring Khushi Kapoor and Ibrahim Ali Khan in the lead roles, is yet another example of this.

4m ago

Playing it safe: ‘The Roshans’ compromises its own potential

The Roshan family has been active in the Hindi film industry for multiple generations, contributing to music, acting, and direction for over 60 years or so. Naturally, there was a story waiting to be told. Their dynasty includes the patriarch and music maestro Roshan Lal Nagrath, his sons Rajesh Roshan, the music composer, and Rakesh Roshan, the director, and actor, as well as his grandson Hrithik Roshan, who became an overnight sensation with his first leading role in “Kaho Naa… Pyar Hai” (2000) and is one of Bollywood’s most beloved stars today.

5m ago

Fascism, propaganda, and resistance: ‘Wicked’ as a mirror to our times

The basic premise is a powerful one: What if the Wicked Witch of the West wasn't so bad after all, and what if the Wizard and the seemingly perfect society he oversaw were the real threats?

6m ago

‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ is a maze of missed opportunities

The most positive aspect of “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3” (2024) is its unpredictability. While the climactic twist is audacious and unique, the film suffers from clumsy execution, falling short of evoking the intended emotions. It's a fine thought, albeit underwritten, and it deserved a bit more complexity than the film's chaotic momentum allows. Nonetheless, I have to say that I did not see it coming.

8m ago

‘Call Me Bae’: Funny and endearing Ananya excels in this heiress-to-hustler story

“Call Me Bae," created by Ishita Moitra with co-writers Samina Motlekar and Rohit Nair, follows the story of poor little rich girl Bella Chowdhary, affectionately known as Bae, played by Ananya Panday. For those who may not be familiar with generational slang, 'Bae' is a term of endearment used to refer to someone's sweetheart.

9m ago

How long can Emily possibly stay in Paris?

The success of “Emily in Paris” reveals that there's room for both highbrow, thought-provoking TV and light, unchallenging fare. While there are plenty of complex, intellectually stimulating shows, there are times when we just want something easy and predictable—shows like “Suits”, “The Office”, and “Friends” continue to top streaming charts long after their original air dates for precisely this reason. There's comfort in knowing what to expect and in watching a storyline wrap up neatly within 30 minutes.

10m ago

‘My Lady Jane’ shakes up British history with unapologetic romance and whimsy

With the guidance of writer and showrunner Gemma Burgess, "My Lady Jane" translates well into an eight-episode Prime Video series that confirms that history is a lot more fun and watchable when approached with an unapologetically tongue-in-cheek attitude.

12m ago
January 12, 2019
January 12, 2019

Where classical meets contemporary

Sabbir Ahmed Khan Biju began dancing in 1989. An ardent fan of Michael Jackson, Biju was always drawn to breakdance. But he realised that to master any form of dance, he needs to start with classical first.

January 11, 2019
January 11, 2019

'Mukhomukhi' with Mithila

Rafiath Rashid Mithila stars in well known director Partha Sen's short film, 'Mukhomukhi', opposite Kolkata actor Gaurav

January 8, 2019
January 8, 2019

Key winners at the Golden Globes 2019

The 76th Golden Globes for films and television, chosen by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, were presented at a grand event

January 7, 2019
January 7, 2019

Many happy returns, Ankhi Alamgir!

Popular adhunik singer Ankhi Alamgir is recognised for her stage performances both on a national and an international level. The artiste, who celebrates her birthday today, has been singing for over a decade and her brilliant voice has taken her to great heights. She opens up about her birthday plans, her views on the music industry and more in a recent chat with The Daily Star.

January 6, 2019
January 6, 2019

WHO WILL WIN?

The Golden Globes, an event that celebrates the best in film and television in Hollywood, is a show movie lovers and TV buffs look forward to every year.

January 4, 2019
January 4, 2019

Safeguarding stories of THE BIRANGONA WOMEN

Leesa Gazi grew up in Bangladesh and was a member of the leading theatre company Nagorik Natya Sampradaya for more than a

December 30, 2018
December 30, 2018

A candid chat with MUNMUN AHMED

Renowned Kathak exponent and television personality Munmun Ahmed has many prestigious awards to her credit, including the National Award by Shishu Academy for Kathak Dance (1980), UNESCO Cultural Award (2000) and NHK Japan Award (2000). An avid performer, teacher and choreographer, she learned Kathak under the tutelage of the legendary Pandit Birju Maharaj in Delhi Kathak Kendra.

December 14, 2018
December 14, 2018

Addressing the many faces of corruption through art

Cartoonists and photographers have emerged as powerful forces to increase awareness and raising demand for transparency and accountability in our society.

December 11, 2018
December 11, 2018

Shadman Shahid's 'No Quarter' awarded

Bangladesh's promising young photographer Shadman Shahid recently won 'The Emerging Photographer Fund 2018' award by the prestigious Burn Magazine making his room in a list of 11 photographers chosen from all over the globe.

December 11, 2018
December 11, 2018

Bringing 'Mujib' to Japan

The Japanese version of the graphic novel, Mujib, on the life of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was launched at the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, last month.