Entertainment
Much-awaited ‘Mujib: The Making of a Nation’ to be released on October 13
‘Mujib: The Making of a Nation’, the much-anticipated biopic of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is all set to have the nationwide theatrical release on October 13, Friday.
Master filmmaker Shyam Benegal's directorial film, a joint production of Bangladesh-India with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Bangladesh & Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India being the producers and Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) & National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) Limited, India being the executive producers, the film is also scheduled to be released across India on October 27.
The official theatrical trailer of the highly-anticipated film was released on Sunday at the film’s Bangladesh distributor Jaaz Multimedia and India’s NFDC YouTube channels.
"Mujib: The Making of a Nation" premieres at Toronto International Film Festival
The 1:47-minute trailer uploaded on Jaaz Multimedia is dubbed in Bengali, while the 1:48-minute trailer on NFDC is in the Hindi language. The film received an uncensored certificate on July 31 this year from both of the censor boards.
Dhallywood’s popular actor Arifin Shuvoo leads the ensemble cast as the title character of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in this film, while Nusrat Imrose Tisha plays Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, the lifelong better half of the Father of the Nation.
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Actress Nusraat Faria, who already found success in both the Bangladesh and West Bengal film industries, will portray Bangabandhu’s elder daughter and incumbent Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The trailer also features popular actor Chanchal Chowdhury, Prarthana Dighi, Tauquir Ahmed and others in different characters, and the entire trailer showcases some of the powerful and majestic moments from Bangabandhu’s epic journey to the road of the country’s independence.
Music of the film is produced by acclaimed Indian music director Shantanu Moitra, and theBengali dialogues are penned by Sadhana Ahmed, Gias Uddin Selim, Shihab Shaheen and Anam Biswas from Bangladesh.
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Back in May 2022, an exclusive trailer of the film was premiered on the third day of the 75th edition of the world-famous Cannes Film Festival's Marche du Film section in Paris, France. Shooting of the film started in Mumbai, India in January 2021 and concluded in December of the same year.
'An Evening with Geet and Ghazal': AFD enamours Dhaka music-lovers
French cultural institution Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) organised an exclusive musical event titled “An Evening with Geet and Ghazal” on Saturday night at its “La Galerie”.
Ghazal artists Manzurul Islam Khan and Somdutta Banerjee performed at the event.
Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzak attended the event as the chief guest, while additional Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police AKM Hafiz Akhtar, and Chairman of Asian TV Limited and Director of FBCCI Alhaj Harun Ur Rashid were present as special guests.
Manzurul Islam Khan, a vocalist of the country’s mainstream music and semi-classical music, after completing his music education from Chhayanaut, obtained a higher degree in music from Mumbai University, India. He took training at different levels from the music gurus of both countries.
At present, Khan is working as a Coordinator at the classical music workshop of Alliance Française de Dhaka.
Somdutta Banerjee is a unique and popular artist of West Bengal and Indian Raagasrayi music. She obtained her higher degree from Calcutta University with training under eminent teachers of India.
The event was open to all.
Celebrity Cricket League postponed, cases filed against attackers
After the chaotic altercations happened at the Celebrity Cricket League on Friday night, organisers have postponed the league until further notice.
They also informed the media that cases have been filed against the assaulters on Friday night’s game at the Mirpur Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium in the capital.
The brawl took place during a friendly group match between two teams headed by filmmakers Mostafa Kamal Raz and Dipankar Dipon, resulting in several players being injured, and six of them were taken to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation in the capital.
Also read: Star-studded Celebrity Cricket League turns nightmarish amid chaotic fights
On Saturday night, the organisers arranged a press conference at the venue where the league was supposed to be concluded on the same day, instead, they had to clarify the foreseeable future surrounding the teams and the league itself.
The two team captains were present at the press conference, along with producer Arshad Adnan, who said neither Raz nor Dipon were behind the incident, but the organisers have evaluated the available video footage from multiple sources and filed cases against them.
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However, the name of the police station and the alleged assaulters were not revealed at the press conference.
“The regrettable situation that occurred yesterday (September 29) is quite distressing. Everyone saw that we did not initiate the fight; it began when four or five individuals suddenly assaulted us. They were dressed in supporter t-shirts, and the assaulters even threatened one of our players, actor Manoj Pramanik,” said Dipankar Dipon.
“My assistant was brutally attacked by being thrown to the ground. We were stunned, wondering: who are they and where did they come from? After the incident, we demanded from the authorities that we would not leave the field if the situation failed to get resolved. They asked us for one day, and credit goes to them for taking action in the meantime,” he added.
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Meanwhile, producer Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Raj has apologised for his team’s behaviour. "I'm sorry," he said. “I am ashamed of this unexpected incident. Legal action has also been taken against those involved in my party. Since we belong to the same family, we are the ones who solved the matter.”
Mostafa Kamal Raj's team won the toss and elected to bat on Friday. They scored 119 runs in the stipulated six overs. Dipankar Dipan's team was scoring runs at a proportional rate when they came out to bat for a big score. But in the end, they lost by 7 runs. The team scored 112 runs in the stipulated 6 overs. The fight broke out after the match.
On the other hand, Mostafa Kamal Raz apologised for the behaviour of his team. At the press conference, he said, "I wholeheartedly apologise and am ashamed of this unexpected incident. Legal action has also been taken against the assaulters who were on my team. As we are members of the same family, our showbiz industry, we resolved the matter internally among ourselves.”
The organisers, however, did not clarify whether the league will resume shortly or will restart entirely. They did not provide a tentative timeline as well, but informed that it would be announced soon.
Star-studded Celebrity Cricket League turns nightmarish amid chaotic fights
Aiming to encourage the Bangladesh National Cricket Team in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup, the star-studded 'Celebrity Cricket League' featuring the country's showbiz stars, turned into horrific chaos on Friday night at the Mirpur Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium when an unpleasant incident took place.
The aforementioned incident took place during a friendly group match between filmmakers Mostafa Kamal Raz and Dipankar Dipon.
In the match, Raj's team won the toss, decided to bat first and scored 119 runs in the allotted six overs. Dipankar Dipon's team then collected 112 runs in the allotted 6 overs and lost the match by 7 runs.
Top 12 Most Anticipated South Indian Films Releasing in October 2023
However, tensions on the turf intensified during the match and despite efforts to restore normalcy, the situation deteriorated further after the game ended late Friday night, with some players from both sides involved in furious altercations with each other, notably Dhallywood actor Sariful Razz.
Video footage has been surfacing online showing the altercations, and the brawl resulted in several players being injured and taken to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation in the capital.
'Jawan' director Atlee says got calls from Hollywood because of this scene
Actor Shimul from Dipankar Dipon’s team said that many outsiders played in the match and attacked with ‘an attempt to murder’ while actress Raj Ripa said that Mostafa Kamal Raz and actor Sariful Razz physically assaulted her during the post-match, blaming the organizers for the management failure.
Bongo BD to release South Indian comedy movie 'F2: Fun and Frustration' with Bengali version this week
Dipankar Dipon said that an official statement will be announced soon after the management evaluates the entire situation.
The three-day Celebrity Cricket League was launched on September 28 with 8 teams, each containing 16 members from the country’s showbiz industry. It was set to be concluded today.
Top 12 Most Anticipated South Indian Films Releasing in October 2023
An exciting period awaits South Indian – Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam – film enthusiasts. Spanning various themes and narratives, featuring renowned actors, visionary directors, and intriguing storylines, these films are poised to leave an indelible mark on audiences. Let’s explore these 12 most hyped South Indian films scheduled for release in October 2023.
12 Most Anticipated South Indian Movies for October 2023
Mama Mascheendra | Telugu | 6 October 2023
Helmed by the multi-talented actor-filmmaker Harsha Vardhan, this film features Sudheer Babu, portraying three distinct characters. Harsha Vardhan also wrote the screenplay for the movie, promising a roller-coaster ride of emotions, action, and intrigue.
Joining Sudheer Babu are talented co-stars Mirnalini Ravi and Eesha Rebba, who play pivotal roles in this exciting project.
Narayan Das K Narang and Puskur Ram Mohan Rao, under Sree Venkateswara Cinemas LLP as Production No. 5, are the producers of this movie. Chaitan Bharadwaj composes the film's music, while PG Vinda and Rajeev are in charge of the Cinematography and art direction respectively. The film is a bilingual production, catering to both Telugu and Hindi-speaking audiences.
Read more: 'Jawan' director Atlee says got calls from Hollywood because of this scene
Bhagavanth Kesari | Telugu | 19 October 2023
This is an action comedy film that promises to deliver humor and action in equal measure. The film revolves around Nelakonda Bhagavanth Kesari, portrayed by Nandamuri Balakrishna. He engages in a battle of wits and strength against an influential business magnate named Rahul Sanghvi.
Kajal Aggarwal and Sreeleela add to the star power of this entertaining venture, with Arjun Rampal making his Telugu cinema debut.
Sahu Garapati and Harish Peddi bankrolled this laughter-filled extravaganza under the banner of Shine Screens. C. Ramprasad's cinematographer captures the humor and action in style, while Thaman S. orchestrates the film's music and background score. Anil Ravipudi is the director of this film.
Read more: Bongo BD to release South Indian comedy movie 'F2: Fun and Frustration' with Bengali version this week
Tiger Nageswara Rao | Telugu | 20 October 2023
Directed by Vamsee, this is an action thriller that promises an exhilarating journey into the criminal underworld of Stuartpuram during the 1970s. Vamsee also penned the screenplay for this gripping tale.
The film features Ravi Teja in the titular role, leading a talented ensemble cast. It includes Anupam Kher, Renu Desai, Nupur Sanon, Jisshu Sengupta, Gayatri Bhardwaj, and Murali Sharma.
Produced by Abhishek Agarwal, this cinematic venture showcases the prowess of cinematographer R. Madhi and the musical genius of G. V. Prakash Kumar. Editing duties are overseen by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao.
The cinema is set to captivate audiences across languages with its release in Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam as well.
Read more: English Language Netflix Originals Coming in October 2023
Irugaptru | Tamil | 6 October 2023
Potential Studios unveils this film written and helmed by Yuvaraj Dhayalan. The film stars Vikram Prabhu, Vidharth, Shri, Saniya Iyyapan, Shraddha Rama Srinath, and Abarnathi.
Irugaptru follows the lives of three couples as they navigate inevitable challenges and seek self-discovery to salvage their relationships.
The film's music is composed by Justin Prabhakaran, and Gokul Benoy takes charge of the cinematography. Editing is handled by Lal Krishna.
Read more: First-ever Bangla-dubbed Thai movie ‘Bad Genius’ to be released on Bongo tomorrow
Enaku Endey Kidaiyaathu | Tamil | 6 October, 2023
This is a unique film helmed by Vikram Ramesh, who also plays the lead role. The story, screenplay, dialogues, and direction are all the creative work of Vikram Ramesh. The film's plot revolves around a cab driver who picks up a businesswoman, expecting a routine fare. However, little does he know that this night will take unexpected twists and turns, extending far beyond his expectations.
The star-studded cast includes Vikram Ramesh, Karthik Venkatraman, Swayam Chitha, Sivakumar Raju, Pichaikkaran fame Murali Seenivasan, and Sakthivel. Thalapathy Rathnam is responsible for the movie's cinematography, while Kalacharan composes the music. Prakash choreographs the action sequences, and Muganvel oversees the editing works. Art direction is skillfully handled by Surya.
Read more: Top 12 South Indian Films Being Released in September 2023
Leo | Tamil | 19 October 2023
This is an action thriller directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, who co-wrote it with Rathna Kumar and Deeraj Vaidy. The movie is the third installment in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe and is bankrolled by S. S. Lalit Kumar of Seven Screen Studio. Jagadish Palanisamy served as a co-producer.
The film boasts an impressive cast including Vijay, Trisha, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Sarja, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Mansoor Ali Khan, and Mysskin.
The film's music is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, while Manoj Paramahamsa handles the cinematography. Editing duties are entrusted to Philomin Raj.
Leo is scheduled to be released in IMAX formats, promising a visual spectacle that matches its gripping storyline.
Read more: 'Nun 2' narrowly edges 'A Haunting in Venice' over quiet weekend in movie theaters
'Jawan' director Atlee says got calls from Hollywood because of this scene
Bollywood blockbuster “Jawan” director Atlee has disclosed that he was approached by Hollywood filmmakers following the film's premiere.
“People who worked on our film [Jawan] were from Hollywood. Action director Spiro Razatos worked with us. So, Spiro and other great directors and technicians from Hollywood were at the same screening of Jawan. And, Spiro said, ‘I have done action in this film,’” NDTV quoted Atlee.
Also read: Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘Jawan’ makes historic debut in Bangladesh
Atlee also discussed a certain action scene admired by the "great directors and technicians." It was Shah Rukh Khan's introductory scene in “Jawan,” when his character, Vikram Rathore, eventually awakens and saves a village.
Atlee added, “So, they [directors and technicians] asked Spiro who has done that scene where SRK is engulfed in flames. He [Spiro] said, ‘It was the director's [Atlee] vision and he [Atlee] executed it.'”
“So they immediately connected with me and told me, ‘If you want to work in Hollywood, let us know,'” he continued.
Also read: ‘Hero or villain?’ Shah Rukh Khan teases with new ‘Jawan’ poster
Atlee commented on the film’s international success, saying, “So it [action sequences] isn't a taste which is very desi. It is something superheroic and it has a very basic rhythm. I thought this idea only works for us but it is working globally.”
Also read: Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘Jawan’ releases tonight in Bangladesh, making history
“Jawan,” starring Shah Rukh Khan, has received widespread acclaim.
The Atlee film is making all the right noises, whether it is because of the tunes or because of SRK's brilliant lines. “Jawan” is also the Hindi film to reach the Rs 500-crore mark the fastest. It is now aiming to cross the Rs 1,000 crore milestone at the global box office, said the report.
Apart from Shah Rukh Khan, “Jawan” also stars Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi, Sanjay Dutt, and Deepika Padukone (in a special appearance). The movie was released worldwide on September 7.
Bongo BD to release South Indian comedy movie 'F2: Fun and Frustration' with Bengali version this week
Bongo BD, an OTT platform of Bangladesh, is going to release the Bengali version of South Indian comedy film 'F2: Fun and Frustration' on its platform this week.
Cast by renowned actors including South superstar Daggubati Venkatesh, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Varun Tej, 'F2: Fun and Frustration' this movie promises a riot of laughter and a rollercoaster of emotions.
'Nun 2' narrowly edges 'A Haunting in Venice' over quiet weekend in movie theaters
The film's narrative takes a hilarious twist as it unfolds the story of two Indian young men who find themselves in a sticky situation, caught by foreign police under allegations of molesting two women on the street.
However, there's a comical twist—these men claim that one of the women is the wife of one, and the other is destined to be the wife of the other! Yes, they were indulging in what's colloquially known as "Eve teasing" with their own wives. To uncover the secrets behind this uproarious scenario, viewers are encouraged to tune in and enjoy the rollicking ride of 'F2: Fun and Frustration.'
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This South Indian comedy gem offers a delightful blend of action, romance, and emotions, all wrapped up in the side-splitting quarrels and escapades between husbands and wives.
Ariful Islam, Assistant Manager of Digital Marketing at Bongo BD, expressed his excitement about bringing this unique comedy genre film on the platform.
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He stated, "Bongo always strives to offer diverse and engaging content to our audience. 'F2' is a prime example of such eclectic content. We're delighted to bring this comedy masterpiece to our viewers, with the hope of putting smiles on their faces. The movie is already generating buzz on various social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, which is a source of great joy and pride for us."
Are Pori Moni and Razz divorced?
After many dramatic ups and downs, popular film actor couple Pori Moni and Shariful Razz are apparently divorced, according to their family sources.
Pori Moni posted a status on her verified Facebook page that raised rumours of divorce on social media.
Salahuddin Zaki, director of ‘Ghuddi’, passes away
“Tomorrow (September 17) is a very important day in my life! A... (signature emoji)... Trust in Allah,” the actress wrote.
However, there have been no direct comment from either Pori Moni or Razz on the subject so far.
'Nun 2' narrowly edges 'A Haunting in Venice' over quiet weekend in movie theaters
Razz and Pori got married on October 17, 2021. The star couple then completed the formalities in January 2022.
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Salahuddin Zaki, director of ‘Ghuddi’, passes away
Syed Salahuddin Zaki, renowned Bangladeshi filmmaker-screenwriter-author and a pioneer in the country’s movie industry, passed away on Monday night at the age of 77.
The Ekushey Padak and National Award winning filmmaker, widely revered for his critically acclaimed 1980 film “Ghuddi”, breathed his last while undergoing treatment at United Hospital in Dhaka, according to several sources.
Read: 'Nun 2' narrowly edges 'A Haunting in Venice' over quiet weekend in movie theaters
Nasir Uddin Yousuff, founder of Dhaka Theatre of which Zaki was a founding member, said that the eminent filmmaker was declared dead by the doctors at the hospital at 11:53 pm.
Decision regarding his burial is yet to be made after his son and daughter return to Bangladesh from Canada, according to the sources.
Celebrities and members of the country’s film fraternity, along with Zaki’s close acquaintances, have been sharing their grief and love for the renowned filmmaker on social media platforms as news of his death broke.
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Born on August 26, 1946, in Tangail, Syed Salahuddin Zaki’s maiden film “Ghuddi” – starring actors Raisul Islam Asad and Suborna Mustafa – was released in 1980.
The critically acclaimed film is still remembered for several of its songs composed by the late Lucky Akhand, including “Abar Elo Je Shondhya,” “Ke Bashi Bajay Re,” and “Ghum Ghum”.
Zaki went on to direct and produce several films including “Laal Benarasi” and “Aaina Bibir Pala”.
He also served at BFDC as the operative director and Bangladesh Television as its director general for five years.
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Zaki received the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Dialogue for “Ghuddi” and was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2021, the second highest civilian award in Bangladesh, for his contributions to the country’s film industry.
'Nun 2' narrowly edges 'A Haunting in Venice' over quiet weekend in movie theaters
"The Nun 2" and "A Haunting in Venice" virtually tied for the No. 1 spot in U.S. and Canadian theaters over the weekend, with a slight edge carrying the horror sequel over the Hercule Poirot mystery, according to studio estimates Sunday.
In its second weekend of release, Warner Bros.' "The Nun 2," a spinoff from the studio's lucrative "Conjuring" franchise, grossed $14.7 million. If numbers hold, that will give "The Nun 2" (up to $56.5 million total and $158.8 million worldwide) the top spot at the box office for the second straight week.
Very close behind was "A Haunting in Venice," Kenneth Branagh's third Agatha Christie adaptation following 2017's "Murder on the Orient Express" and 2022's "Death on the Nile." It opened with $14.5 million.
Final box-office figures will be released Monday.
Also read: Comedian Russell Brand denies allegations of sexual assault published by three UK news organizations
After the successful run of "Murder on the Orient Express" ($352.8 million worldwide against a production budget of $55 million) and the less-stellar global haul of "Death on the Nile" ($137.3 million against a $90 million budget), the sluggish start for "A Haunting in Venice" may have signaled the death knell for Branagh's detective.
The 20th Century Studios film, released by the Walt Disney Co., grossed $22.7 million internationally. And it cost less than its predecessor, carrying a production budget of about $60 million.
"The Equalizer 3," starring Denzel Washington, dropped to third place with $7.2 million. In three weeks, its grossed $73.7 million domestically and $132.4 million worldwide. Fourth place went to "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3" with $4.7 million in its second weekend of release. It's grossed $18.5 million domestically.
It was one of the quietest weekend in movie theaters this year, as Hollywood — which has spent much of the last two weeks promoting its films at the Venice, Telluride and Toronto film festivals — treads water in between the summer smashes of "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" and awaits its top fall movies. Some of those, like "Dune: Part Two," have already postponed until next year due to the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes.
Also read: ‘We’re not just co-stars’: Deepika on working with Shah Rukh
One anticipated fall film, Sony's "Dumb Money," opted for a platform release, debuting in eight theaters over the weekend before expanding next weekend and going wide Sept. 29. The film, a rollicking dramatization of the GameStop stock frenzy, grossed $217,000, for a per-location average of about $27,000.
And "Barbie" also remains in the picture. For the ninth straight weekend, Greta Gerwig's box-office sensation ranked in the top five films. It added $4 million to bring its domestic total to $625 million and its global haul to $1.42 billion. Meanwhile, "Oppenheimer" has reached $912.7 million, making it the highest grossing biopic ever, passing "Bohemian Rhapsody."
Also read: English Language Netflix Originals Coming in October 2023
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. "The Nun II," $14.7 million.
2. "A Haunting in Venice," $14.5 million.
3. "The Equalizer 3," $7.2 million.
4. "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3," $4.7million.
5. "Barbie," $4 million.
6. "Jawan," $2.5 million.
7. "Blue Beetle," $2.5 million.
8. "Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story," $2.4 million.
9. "Oppenheimer," $2.1 million.
10. " Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem," $2 million.