On December 20, “Priyo Maloti” graced 20 cinema halls nationwide. Featuring Mehazabien Chowdhury in the titular role of Maloti Rani Das, the film marks a significant milestone for both the actress and its director, Shankha Dasgupta, as their silver screen debut.
The Monsoon Revolution represents an unprecedented effort by the government to decentralise and professionalise the Bangladeshi film industry. By fostering regional talent and offering a platform for diverse storytelling, this initiative aims to reshape the industry. More than just an effort to develop skilled filmmakers, it is a step toward amplifying Bangladeshi narratives and creating works that resonate both nationally and internationally.
In an effort to understand the challenges and tentative guidelines, The Daily Star reached out to board members and stakeholders. Their insights highlight the complexities of transitioning from the long-standing censor board to a modern certification body.
With its universal message of hope, “A Rising Lioness: In Search of Beauty” speaks not only to burn survivors but to anyone facing disabilities, neurodiversity, or societal exclusion. By portraying a journey of courage and transformation, the production inspires reflection on the values of empathy, and inclusion, and celebrates the human spirit of resilience.
On a quiet autumn evening, we visited Arnob’s studio, Kolorob, where he shared reflections on his musical career, insights into his creative journey in art, and his upcoming projects.
In times of national crisis, Bangladesh’s entertainment industry is often among the hardest hit. From artistes to crew members, everyone faces hardship due to a lack of work and opportunities. Actor Ziaul Roshan has recently expressed concerns about the struggle to maintain a stable livelihood in such uncertain times, highlighting the challenges when work for artistes dries up.
Marking a decade in showbiz, Sayed Zaman Shawon has captivated audiences across television, OTT platforms, and the big screens. Known for his acclaimed roles in Mabrur Rashid Bannah’s “Brothers” series, Shihab Shaheen’s “August 14”, Ashfaque Nipun’s “Sabrina”, and Golam Sohrab Dodul’s “Mobaroknama”, Shawon’s adaptability shines through each project.
Behind this essential aspect of filmmaking are the lighting technicians, whose efforts often go unnoticed. In Bangladesh, however, these technicians face an uncertain future, as the industry battles deep financial challenges.
As we step into 2024, the film industry endeavours to maintain the momentum witnessed in the preceding year. Some have wrapped up shoots and are in the post-production stage, others are poised for theatrical premieres, and some are in the pre-production stages.
A plethora of OTT content was released in 2023, captivating audiences and fueling discussions throughout the year. Let's take a glance at the top 5 favourite OTT contents from around the globe, as selected by Bangladeshi renowned directors.
In her career, she has worked on projects such as “Ladies and Gentlemen”, “Boli”, “Kaiser”, “Dui Diner Duniya”, “Over Trump”, “Myself Allen Swapan”, “Virus”, “Something Like an Autobiography”, and upcoming work is “Kachher manush Durey Thuiya”, amongst others.
The actor performed on stage in plays like Jean-Paul Sartre's “Deowal” and Momtaz Uddin's “Bornochora”. In the 1997-98 season, when Tarek and Russell moved to Dhaka, Rubel joined Tirjak. There, he acted in various plays such as Bertolt Brecht's “Samadhan” and Shakespeare's “Romeo and Juliet”. He also wrote plays for Tirjak, titled “Lojja” and “Shotyandho”.
The actress, who won the Best Actress award at Festival de Saint -Jean-de-Luz, in France in 2019 for Rubaiyat Hossain’s ‘Shimu’, was announced the Best Actress in the National Film Award (2022) for her portrayal of her namesake this year. She will be taking home the award jointly with Jaya Ahsan ('Beauty Circus').
OTT has elevated the film industry as well: Afran Nisho
Nisho is in the talks for more OTT projects, including “A Common Man” to be directed by Ashfaque Nipun, “Ashur” (based on the life of the serial killer Roshu Kha) to be directed by Shihab Shaheen. At the same time, the “Punorjonmo” famed actor is preparing himself for yet another exciting role on the big screen, which is to be announced soon.
Tisha cited that the narrative of “Mujib” has been shown from Bangamata’s perspective. After being a part of the project, the actress realised that this film will remain as a visual testament for the next generation, to know about the actual contributions of Bangamata.
Starring Shobnom Bubly and Sariful Razz in the lead roles, the government granted film’s “poster reveal” event was held today at capital’s Krua Thai restaurant, with the crew present surrounded by the press and media.
One does not get the opportunity to witness the candid chemistry between the much-loved real-life couple in our industry, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and Nusrat Imrose Tisha. A Tuesday afternoon spent with them at their residence gave The Daily Star a rare peek into their sweet family life, along with their exciting upcoming projects.
