Entertainment
Bioscope Introduces Bangla dubbing of popular Korean drama "Mr. Queen"
Popular Bangladeshi OTT platform Bioscope has recently brought famous Korean drama series "Mr. Queen" to stream for Bangladeshi K-Drama lovers.
Ananta Jalil‘s ‘Din: The Day' now on digital OTT platform Bongo
The drama has been dubbed in Bengali and voiced by celebrity couple Sayed Zaman Shwon and Mumtaheena Chowdhury Toya.
"Bioscope has previously responded to the fans’ budding enthusiasm for Bangla-dubbed K-Dramas by hosting popular dubbed content like “The Tale of the Nine-Tailed” and “Legend of the Blue Sea”; and now the romance comedy in "Mr. Queen," where a modern-day chef unexpectedly finds himself trapped inside the body of an ancient queen, is taking the craze to the next level. Now, audiences can enjoy the series in Bangla through Bioscope," the OTT platform stated via a press release.
Alongside Shawon and Toya's unique chemistry behind the dubbing which brings life to the characters and makes it even more exciting, the drama also features Shahnaz Sumi and A K Azad Shetu as the other characters and the Bangla voice actors.
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The first five episodes of Bangla-dubbed “Mr. Queen” have already been released and are available on Bioscope, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in this enchanting tale. The new set of 5 episodes will be released every Thursday, offering to the individuals who enjoy dramas with plot twists and humour.
With the launch of "Mr. Queen," Bioscope is aptly catering to the fans’ need for entertainment. Previously available only on platforms like Netflix, Bioscope now brings these captivating shows to the Bangla-speaking audience at affordable prices for all, according to the press release.
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Fans of Korean dramas can indulge in the popular series from any mobile network operator by visiting https://www.bioscopelive.com/ or can download the app on any smartphone from https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bongo.bioscope to watch "Mr. Queen" and other amazing content on Bioscope.
Ananta Jalil‘s ‘Din: The Day' now on digital OTT platform Bongo
Fans of Bangladeshi cinema can now enjoy 'Din: The Day,' starring popular actor and producer Ananta Jalil alongside the talented actress Barsha, on the digital OTT platform Bongo.
The action-packed film, produced in collaboration with Iranian director Morteza Atashzamzam, has already garnered widespread acclaim for its gripping narrative and intense performances. While the movie enjoyed immediate success upon its initial release, this marks the first time it is accessible on a digital platform.
'Din: The Day' showcases Ananta Jalil in the role of a dedicated police officer affiliated with an international organization, actively engaged in operations against various terrorist groups. The film takes audiences on a thrilling journey, with captivating scenes shot in Bangladesh, Iran, Türkiye, and Afghanistan.
Bongo, the OTT platform, reports an overwhelmingly positive response from viewers since the movie's digital debut. Mohammad Ali Haider, Head of Content at Bongo, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Ananta Jalil is a superstar in this country, and people love him. We are fortunate to bring 'Din: The Day' to our platform, and the audience's response has been exceptional."
Originally released in five different languages across 40 countries, including Bangladesh, during Eid-ul-Azha 2022, 'Din: The Day' has sparked numerous discussions and critiques following its release.
As audiences continue to engage with 'Din: The Day' on the Bongo platform, it is poised to reach even greater heights of popularity, solidifying Ananta Jalil's status as a beloved figure in Bangladeshi cinema.
To Gaza from Dhaka’: Concert at Hatirjheel Amphitheater on Friday
Uniting voices against the ongoing brutal attacks in Gaza by Israel, several Bangladeshi artists will perform in a charity concert titled ‘To Gaza from Dhaka’ on Friday in the capital’s Hatirjheel Amphitheater.
The concert is being organized by the platform Artists Against Genocide, known for its recent projects such as the 73 graffiti works by cartoonist Morshed Mishu and team in different parts of Dhaka. The concert will feature performances by a number of leading and popular Bangladeshi musicians.
The line-up includes Maqsood O' dHAKA, Ark, AvoidRafa, Nemesis, Indalo, Meghdol, Shohojia, Karnival, Highway, Hatirpool Sessions, Firoze Jong, Moruvumi, Moonflower, Masha Islam, rapper Shafayat, Aseer Arman, Rezaul Karim Leemon, Black Zang, Muiz Mahfuz, Avishek Bhattacharjee and Ahmed Hasan Sunny. Eminent music director Prince Mahmud and lyricist Latiful Islam Shibli will be featured as special guests at the event alongside the musicians.
Acclaimed musician and actor Ahmed Hasan Sunny, one of the organizers of this charity concert, told UNB that the event is a fundraiser for Gaza, aimed at demanding a ceasefire while offering much-needed assistance to Palestinian civilians dealing with continued struggles due to the current conflict.
Read: Taylor Swift fan dies at Rio concert as fans complain about high temperatures and lack of water
“For years, the innocent civilians in Palestine have been suffering from oppression and now the ongoing genocide in Gaza must be protested from every corner of the world. This concert is a symbolic open letter to Gaza, through which, we — the Bangladeshi artists — hope to send a message of empathy to the civilians in Gaza, informing them that they are not alone in this battle,” Sunny told UNB.
Mentioning that the artists are not taking any money for this charity concert, Sunny informed UNB that all proceeds from ticket sales and donations will go to Gaza through NGOs who are actively working in Gaza such as Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, or the Red Crescent. Due to currency and transaction difficulties, the exact NGO is not yet fixed but will be finalized as soon as possible.
“As you can understand, the biggest roadblock is to send the proceeds to the people in dire need, as funds transfer is being blocked by the oppressors. We contacted the Palestinian ambassador in Dhaka who expressed gratitude for this event and shared the Palestinian flag with us, and we invited him to join us in this concert,” Sunny said.
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The event already created buzz on social media platforms, and many celebrities including Mostafa Sarwar Farooki, Chanchal Chowdhury, and others including the performing musicians are sharing the event with engaging captions, lauding the initiative. “A big shout out to the friends behind the ‘To Gaza From Dhaka’ concert! Artists are essentially political animals!,” Farooki wrote in his Facebook post.
Intending to offer a great musical experience to the audiences, Sunny said that the platform is taking the utmost preparation possible. “We are immensely grateful to our esteemed artists who are performing in this concert and also the celebrities and music lovers who are expressing solidarity, such as the comedy club Stand Up Dhaka which cancelled its upcoming event on November 24 for this event,” Sunny stated.
The event features three levels of tickets with three separate price points: BDT 500, 1000, and 1500. Furthermore, anybody can donate as well as purchase available tickets from the website https://getsetrock.com/, which also displays a live count of the total acquired donation.
Concertgoers can enter the venue from 2:30 pm onwards while the concert will start at 3:30 pm. Additional information is available on the Facebook pages of the event and the organizers.
Farooki’s ‘Shonibar Bikel’ to be released on Indian OTT platform Sony LIV
Acclaimed filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki’s much-anticipated film ‘Shonibar Bikel (Saturday Afternoon)’ which has been stuck in a censorship dispute for more than four years is now finally getting released for global audiences via the Indian OTT platform Sony LIV.
The director confirmed this on Wednesday in a post on his official Facebook profile.
“Saturday Afternoon is coming to an OTT (platform), finally, on November 24, on Sony LIV. The film can be watched from any other country in the world, except from Bangladesh,” Farooki stated in the post.
Although not getting its much-anticipated release in Bangladesh, local audiences got to watch the first glimpse of the film back in February this year when the trailer of the film was released.
Read: Coldplay concert in Malaysia can be stopped by organizers if the band misbehaves, government says
Featuring an ensemble cast of seasoned actors including Mamunur Rashid, Zahid Hasan, Intekhab Dinar, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Iresh Zaker, and Nusrat Imrose Tisha, among others, the one-shot film was released in March in the USA and Canada, garnering critical acclaim.
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Inspired by the 2016 Holey Artisan massacre in Gulshan, Farooki’s 8th directorial film ‘Saturday Afternoon’ (Shonibar Bikel), a Bangladeshi-German-Russian co-production, has been stuck and denied censorship for the past four years.
Even after getting clearance from the Bangladesh Film Censor Board on January 21 this year, the film has been suffering from not receiving government censorship clearance for its theatrical release for local audiences.
Coldplay concert in Malaysia can be stopped by organizers if the band misbehaves, government says
Organizers of Wednesday's Coldplay concert in Malaysia can stop the show if the British rock band misbehaves, a minister said as the government rejected Muslim conservatives' calls to cancel the show.
Led by the country's opposition bloc, Muslim conservatives have protested the concert over Coldplay’s support for the LGBTQ+ community. Recently, they also pushed for the concert to be halted in solidarity with Palestinians killed in the Israel-Hamas war.
Communication and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said he doesn't foresee any problem with Coldplay's first concert in Malaysia later in the night. Security has been beefed up for the show that is expected to draw some 75,000 people at a stadium outside Kuala Lumpur.
Read: Taylor Swift fan dies at Rio concert as fans complain about high temperatures and lack of water
“Yes, it's one of the things we have discussed with the organizer,” Fahmi said when asked if a 'kill switch" to cut off power supply will be used.
“The prime minister has also said the band, you know, is very supportive of Palestine. So, we are upbeat about the concert today,” he added.
Malaysia introduced the kill switch measure recently after a controversy sparked by British band The 1975 in Kuala Lumpur in July. The band's lead singer slammed the country’s anti-gay laws and kissed a male bandmate during their performance, sparking a backlash among Muslims and prompted the government to cut short a three-day music festival.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has justified allowing the Coldplay concert, telling Parliament on Tuesday that “Coldplay is actually among the bands that support Palestine." He noted that the previous administration, before he took power in November 2022, had approved the concert. Anwar said pro-Palestinian groups also approached his office in support of the Coldplay concert.
The opposition Islamic party PAS slammed Anwar's stance. While Coldplay supports the Palestinian cause, it also encourages hedonism, said its information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari.
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“This is not about whether they purely support the Palestinian cause or not but the issue of hedonism culture that they bring to our community,” he said Tuesday in Parliament. PAS, which has expanded its influence following strong Muslim support in the 2022 elections, often protests concerts by international artists that it said were incompatible with Muslim values.
Officials from concert organizer Live Nation Malaysia couldn't be immediately reached for comment. It issued a statement to concert-goers a few days ago, reminding them to be “mindful of local cultures and sensitivities” and refrain from displaying props or items that may cause discomfort to others.
Police have warned the public to refrain from any sort of provocation and inciting unrest at the concert, which is part of Coldplay's Music of the Spheres World Tour.
Coldplay also met with resistance from Muslims when they performed in Indonesia earlier this month. Protesters held rallies right up to the day of its concert, slamming the band as an LGBTQ+ “propagandist” whose stance damages “faith and morals.”
Coldplay is renowned for interlacing its values with its shows, such as the band’s push for environmental sustainability. Lead singer Chris Martin has been known to wear rainbow colors and wave gay pride flags during performances.
Latest Release: Love, Laughter, and South Indian Charm
In a bid to bring joy to audiences, Bongo, the OTT platform, has recently released the Bengali dubbed version of the much-loved South Indian film 'Hello Guru Prema Kosame.'
This heartwarming romantic comedy, originally released in Telugu in 2018, has garnered immense praise since its launch, said a media release on Tuesday.
The film follows the story of Sanju, a young man from a village who, after successfully completing his engineering degree, moves to the city to pursue a job and make his middle-class parents proud.
Finding accommodation at Vishwanath's house, he gradually falls in love with Anupama, Vishwanath's daughter, despite initial reservations.
However, a twist in the tale reveals that Anupama is already engaged to another man, with their wedding just a month away.
The narrative explores the complexities of love, friendship, and life's unexpected turns. Viewers are taken on an emotional rollercoaster as they witness Sanju's journey and his challenges in navigating his feelings for Anupama.
The film, featuring popular South Indian actors such as Ram Pothineni, Anupama Parameswaran, Pranita Subhash, and Prakash Raj, has received a warm welcome from the Bengali audience.
Bongo's senior marketing specialist, Hira Shil, expressed, "This new movie has been well received by our Bongo audience. This movie is doing very well compared to other movies. Even the little clips on Facebook are getting great responses!"
Bongo, committed to providing wholesome entertainment to the people of Bangladesh, said it takes pride in presenting 'Hello Guru Prema Kosame' to its audience.
The movie's success further exemplifies Bongo's dedication to bringing diverse and engaging content to its viewers.
Audiences can now enjoy this captivating romantic-comedy on the Bongo platform, indulging in the delightful performances of the cast and the charming storyline that has captivated hearts across South India.
Actress Tanjin Tisha files complaint over cyberbullying
Renowned actress, model, and television presenter Tanjin Tisha, who has been the talk of the town for the past few days for a variety of reasons, once again made headlines as she went to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Detective Branch (DB) office on Monday, reported being the target of cyberbullying.
According to Detective Branch chief Mohammad Harun-Or-Rashid, the actress went there on Monday around 4:30 pm and filed a written complaint.
The actress was recently hospitalised after consuming an overdose of sleeping pills, which sparked the rumour that she tried to commit suicide. After receiving treatment and returning home, she clarified her stance in a Facebook Live on November 16.
Regarding the DB headquarters visit on Monday, Tisha stated, "I have been a victim of cyberbullying for several days, and I believe the DB office is a place of trust. People who visit this place are helped regardless of their status or background, and I am here for the same reason as many well-known individuals have been here in the past when they required legal assistance.”
This aforementioned incident is the aftermath of a recently revealed encounter between the actress and a TV journalist who sent her insensitive and inappropriate text messages, according to the actress. In an interview with a private media outlet last Thursday, the actress warned reporters to be careful while covering sensitive personal stories.
Following her remarks, Tisha apologised on Facebook for inadvertently sharing her thoughts during the altercation with the journalist, as her remarks caused an outburst of condemnation, with entertainment journalists protesting on social media.
Although the actress clarified her stance, her latest visit to the DB headquarters ignited many unanswered questions.
“Every netizen has the right to seek legal action upon facing any harassment, and the actress came here to exercise that right. She filed a written complaint, and moving forward, we will proceed with the necessary inquiry and actions,” the DB chief told the media in a press briefing following the meet-up.
Did Salman Khan confirm ‘Tiger 4’ at the Cricket World Cup final?
It has just been a week since “Tiger 3” dominated the box office, and social media is abuzz with speculation about the next installment, “Tiger 4”, due to what Salman Khan said at the ICC World Cup 2023 final between India and Australia.
On the sidelines of the World Cup final match, Salman Khan, who portrays the titular Tiger in the spy thriller series, spoke with Katrina Kaif and a group of cricket specialists, reports NDTV.
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A video going viral on social media begins with Katrina Kaif praising cricketer Virat Kohli's talent and contribution towards cricket. Katrina Kaif said, “Watching Virat when he started playing IPL for RCB, from then until now just look at the journey and the graph…,” Salman Khan interjected, “And, you also saw from Tiger 1 to Tiger 3 na and that too at 57. Now wait for Tiger 4 at 60.”
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“Tiger 3” is Salman Khan's greatest opener to date and the fifth installment in the YRF Spy Universe. Salman and Katrina play super spies Avinash Singh Rathore aka Tiger and Zoya in the Tiger franchise.
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12th JS Election: Mahiya Mahi collects AL nomination form for Chapainawabganj-2
Ensuring her wish to participate in the forthcoming National Election, Dhallywood’s popular actress Mahiya Mahi has collected the nomination form to contest for the Chapainawabganj-2 constituency from Awami League.
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Mahi, who was born and brought up in the area under the constituency, confirmed the development on her official Facebook account.
“Alhamdulillah. By the grace of Allah, today (Saturday) I collected the party nomination papers of Bangladesh Awami League for Chapainawabganj-2 seat,” Mahi wrote on Saturday night.
The actress uploaded a photo of herself holding the nomination form with her husband Rakib Sarkar, mother Dilara Yasmin, and father Abu Bakar Khokon on her official Facebook page, also stating that she would submit the nomination form on November 20 at 3 pm.
Speaking to journalists earlier, Mahi talked about her desire to enter the parliament with a mission to work for the people of the aforementioned constituency.
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“I am a native of this district and constituency by birth, and people have wanted me to get a nomination ever since I stepped up into politics. I will seek the nomination for the people of Chapainawabganj-2 constituency," Mahi, the Joint General Secretary of the Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote (Bangabandhu Cultural Alliance), said as a guest speaker at the Nawabganj Government Women's College's student assembly on Wednesday.
Speaking to the journalists, she added, “There are significant scopes for meaningful projects in the parliamentary constituency of Chapainawabganj-2. I have some significant, women-specific plans as well - and I shall continue to fight for the advancement of our district and the women's society, whether I get the nomination or not.”
“Being a public representative allows one to have an impact, and in my opinion, everything is possible if one is determined enough. I recognize that, from this vantage point, I could make significant contributions to the welfare of the local populace if I get nominated,” Mahi told the journalists at the event.
Earlier this year, Mahi bought the nomination form of the ruling party to participate in the by-election from the Chapainawabganj-2 constituency. However, she failed to get the nomination.
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Numerous popular celebrities, including Ferdous, Shakeel Khan, Jyotika Jyoti, Tareen Jahan, and Rokeya Prachi, have also expressed interest in taking part in the forthcoming National Election on January 7 next year.
Taylor Swift fan dies at Rio concert as fans complain about high temperatures and lack of water
A 23-year-old Taylor Swift fan died at the singer's Eras Tour concert in Rio de Janeiro Friday night, according to a statement from the show's organizers in Brazil. Both Swifties and politicians reacted to the news with outrage.
While a cause of death for Ana Clara Benevides Machado has not been announced, fans complained they were not allowed to take water into Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium despite soaring temperatures.
A group launched an online petition Saturday morning calling for a “Benevides Law” to “make water in events mandatory.”
The petition garnered more than 150,000 signatures in just a few hours. Federal authorities announced that free water would be made available at all future concerts.
In a handwritten note shared on her social media, Swift said she had a “shattered heart."
“There’s very little information I have other than the fact that she was so incredibly beautiful and far too young,” the singer wrote of the young woman.
The show's organizer, Time4Fun, said on Instagram that paramedics attended to Benevides after she reported feeling unwell. She was taken to a first-aid center and then to a hospital, where she died an hour later, the statement from the Brazilian live entertainment company said.
Concert-goers said they were not allowed to bring water bottles into the stadium even though Rio and most of Brazil have had record-breaking temperatures this week amid a dangerous and lasting heat wave. The daytime high in Rio on Friday was 39.1 degrees Celsius (102.4 degrees Fahrenheit), but it felt much hotter.
Elizabeth Morin, 26, who recently moved to Rio from Los Angeles, described “sauna-like” conditions inside the stadium.
“It was extremely hot. My hair got so wet from sweat as soon as I came in,” she said. “There was a point at which I had to check my breathing to make sure I wasn’t going to pass out.”
Morin said she drank plenty of water but saw “a good amount of people looking distressed” and others “yelling for water.” She said she was able to get water from the sidelines of the area she was standing in, but that water was a lot harder to access from other parts of the stadium, “especially if you were concerned about losing your specific position.”
During the show, Swift paused her performance and asked from the stage for water to be brought to a group of people who had successfully caught the singer's attention, according to Morin.
“They were holding up their phones saying ‘We need water,’” she recalled.
Justice Minister Flávio Dino said on X that the ministry would implement “emergency rules" in response to the situation. He later announced that "water bottles for personal use, in suitable material, will be allowed" at concerts and other events and that show producers must provide free and easily accessible drinking water.
Before the show, Benevides posted a video of herself on Instgram wearing a Taylor Swift T-shirt and waiting in line to enter the stadium while seeking shade under an umbrella. Like her, thousands of fans waited hours in the sun before being allowed inside.
She told her followers while fanning her face that she’d arrived at 11 a.m. — the show began around 7:30 p.m. — and was “still in the mess.”
Benevides' friend, Daniele Menin, who attended the concert with her, told online news site G1 that her friend passed out at the beginning of the concert, as Swift performed her second song, “Cruel Summer.”
“We always said that when (Taylor Swift) came to Brazil we would find a way to go. The ticket was very expensive, but we still found a way”, Menin told G1.
Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes said on X the “loss of a young woman’s life ... is unacceptable.”
While authorities are investigating the circumstances of the death, Paes wrote, the municipality will demand Saturday that the show’s production company provide new water distribution points, more brigades and ambulances, and advance entrance to the show by one hour.
Swift has two more shows scheduled in Rio, one on Saturday and one on Sunday.
“I'm not going to be able to speak about this from stage because I feel overwhelmed by grief when I even try to talk about it,” she wrote. “I want to say now I feel this loss deeply and my broken heart goes out to her family and friends.”