Entertainment
Bongo launches embedded shorts for online media publishers
Video streaming platform Bongo has launched short video clips for online media publishers to embed on their websites or mobile applications.
Online media publishers are finding it hard to retain users as many have now moved away from reading to watching short videos and clips in this age of TikTok, Instagram reels and YouTube shorts.
Producing videos daily or even writing articles is not an easy task. Bongo wants to make life easier for online media publishers by providing entertaining short clips which they can embed on their website or mobile app just as easily as embedded YouTube videos. Grameenphone's self-service solution MyGP app and Brac Bank's Astha app already adopted this solution to showcase video content to their users.
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From Bongo, online media partners can choose from more than 15,000 hours of content and a partner network of content creators that have more than 30,000 hours of content. They can choose the categories of content they want to showcase to their users.
Bongo's library of content is already being used by other platforms such as Binge, Bioscope and other OTT platforms.
10 Best South Indian Movies Releasing in December 2022
South India is going to complete a grand year in the film industry. 2022 has seen blockbusters like RRR and KGF-2. The smoke of Kantara has not yet cleared out. Amidst all this hype, some more Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam films are coming toward the very end of the year. Among them, this article lists the 10 most anticipated South Indian Movies to debut in December this year.
Top 10 Upcoming South Indian Films in December 2022
HIT: The Second Case/Telugu/December 2, 2022
This sequel to 'Hit' is a wonderful blend of action and thriller, masterfully written and directed by Sailesh Kolanu. Adibi Sesh will be seen here in the role of Vishwak Sen starred in the first version. He will be accompanied by Meenakshi Chowdhury, Rao Ramesh, Posani Krishna Murali, Tanikella Bharani, and Komali Prasad.
The story of cinema follows a police officer named Krishna Dev (KD) after a brutal serial killer who only targets women. Not only the murder, but KD is shocked to see the killer's barbaric activities after the killing.
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The music of the movie was composed by Suresh Bobbili and MM Srilekha while the score was done by John Stewart Edury. S Manikandan did the cinematography and Gary BH did the overall film edits. The production company of the film is Wall Poster Cinema.
Panchatantram/Telugu/December 9, 2022
This authorship and direction of Harsh Pulipaka actually is a modern-day fairy tale that will stimulate every real sense. The audience will find a combination of peace, fear, desire, love, and determination in a humorous background.
Sandeep Raj contributed with Pulipaka to write the film's dialogues. The lyrics of the songs were written by Kittu Visapragada and the music composition was supervised by Prashant R. Bihari and Shravan Bharadwaj.
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The cinematography section was looked after by Raj Nalli and Gary Vaughn made the film edits. The film is produced by Srijan Yarabolu and Akhilesh Vardhan. Movie production companies were Ticket Factory and S Originals.
Adhira/Telugu/December 16, 2022
With this film, Prashant Varma is going to make his second superhero project. He himself wrote the story and directed the film. The lead artist will be the newcomer actor Kalyan Dasari, another identity of whom is that he is the son of 'RRR' producer, DVV Danya.
It is basically a story of an ordinary man becoming a superhero. By using his superpowers to save mankind, he begins to gain the trust of the masses. But when the formidable enemies all come together to attack, the whole situation begins to turn. Will he really be able to keep the faith of his fans?
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Shivendra worked behind the camera and Gourahari composed the music. Srikanth Patnaik R. was engaged in editing the cinema.
K Niranjan Reddy produced the film on behalf of Primeshow Entertainment. There will also be Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi versions during the release.
Gatta Kusthi/Tamil/December 2, 2022
This drama film is written and directed by Chella Ayyavu. Gatta Kusthi is a popular form of wrestling in Kerala. Although the film is made with this sport in the background, it is not actually a sports film. This family film explores the differences of opinion of a newly married couple. The unfulfilled expectations of their lives have been tested for error. Even at one stage, marital discord arose.
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The film stars Aishwarya Lakshmi, Vishnu Vishal, Ajay, Kali Venkat, Karunas, and Munishkanth. The film's music and background score are composed by Justin Prabhakaran. The cinematography of the movie was done by Richard M. Nathan and the movie was edited by Prasanna GK.
The movie is jointly produced by Ravi Teja, Aryan Ramesh, Vishnu Vishal, and Shubhra under the banner of RT Team Works and VV Studios. The film will be simultaneously released in Telugu with the title Matti Kusti.
Varalaru Mukkiyam/Tamil/December 9, 2022
Santosh Rajan has written and directed this romantic comedy film. And through this film, Rajan entered the world of movie direction.
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A simple boy who is indifferent to life gets involved in one funny incident after another. Besides riding bikes and spending a great time with friends, love also comes into his life. Every step of the way is accompanied by sophisticated hints for caution in daily living. Almost every element of a proper commercial film has been tried in the story of the movie.
The film is produced by RB Chowdhury under the banner of Super Good Films Company. The film stars Kashmira Pardesi, Pragya Nagra, and the producer's son Jeeva in lead roles. The film's music and score were composed by Shan Rahman. Cinematography and Movie Editing were done by Sakthi Saravanan and NB Srikanth respectively.
DSP/Tamil/December 2, 2022
Hailing from a middle-class family, a police officer tries his best to meet the needs of his family. At the same time, he has to be busy chasing the top terrorist in the area. How far can he go to handle the family and office like this?
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The comedy movie based on this story is called DSP, directed by Ponram. The drama movie stars Vijay Sethupathi, Shivani Narayanan, Poogaz, and Anukriti Bhas.
The movie was much appreciated by the Censor Board while gaining the U/A certificate. The film is shot by Dinesh Krishnan and edited by Vivek Harshan. D Imman was the chief music director of the movie. The film is produced by Karthekayen Santhanam and Karthik Subbaraj under Stone Bench Films.
Vedha The Brutal 1960s/Kannada/December 23, 2022
After 'Bajrangi', 'Bajrangi-2' and 'Bajrakaya', director A Harsh and legendary actor Puneeth Rajkumar's brother Shivrajkumar are coming together for the fourth time. In March 2021, the director announced the making of Vedha.
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But due to tragic events like Punit's death, the shooting got delayed. However, the production of the movie started again in full swing in December 2021. The film's dialogues are written by Raghu Niduvalli.
This period-action film is basically set against the backdrop of a remote rural area.
Shiv Rajkumar is going to make his debut as a movie producer with this 125th film of his career.
In the movie, Dr. Shivarajkumar is accompanied by Ganavi Laxman, Umashree, Aditi Sagar, Raghu Shivamoga, Jaggappa, Bharatha Sagar, Vinay, Sanjeev, and Kuri Pratap.
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The music direction was handled by Arjun Yaya and the cinematographer was Swami J Gowda. Dipu S Kumar served as a film editor and Ravi Santehakkalu as art director. The film is going to be released from Zee Studio and Geeta Pictures movie house.
Vijayanand/Kannada/December 9, 2022
This is the story of Vijayanand, who started a business at the age of 19 and overcame many obstacles to become a successful businessman. It all started in Gadag, a small town in the heart of North Karnataka. He gradually became the owner of 4300 cars.
This movie made with a life-changing story was directed by Rishika Sharma. The film cast includes Nihal Rajput, Bharat Bopanna, V. Ravichandran, Ananth Nag, Prakash Belawadi, Siri Prahlad, and Vinay Prasad.
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National award-winning composer Gopi Sundar was the music director of the film. The cinematography was completed by Kirtan Pujari and the film was edited by Hemant Kumar D.
This Kannada movie will also release in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. VRL Films is going to make its production debut through this movie.
Gold/Malayalam/December 1, 2022
This comedy thriller film was written, edited, and directed by Alphonse Puthren. He has also worked on stunt choreography, visual effects, animation titles, and color grading for the movie. Puthren is going to return to film direction after seven years since the film Premam in 2015.
Read More: ‘Agantuk’ wins Film Bazaar Award in Goa
The movie, produced by Prithviraj Productions and Magic Frame, will feature Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead role. Nayanthara will act as a guest artist. They will be joined by Deepti Sati, Ajmal Aamir, Chemban Vinod Jose, and Vinay Forte in supporting roles.
The film story follows a mobile shop owner who orders a new car. But on the day of the delivery, he saw a pick-up truck with a portable speaker parked in his yard. After a few days, he suddenly noticed that the small boxes inside the truck were not actually speakers, but gold bars.
The music of the film was composed by Rajesh Murugesan as usual. But this time he started his first collaboration with Prithviraj. All the lyrics were written by Shabrish Verma. Anind C Chandran and Biswajit Odukkathil were in charge of the cinematography.
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Saudi Vellakka/Malayalam/December 2, 2022
The well-known director Tharun Murthy of 'Operation Java' fame is going to present this drama film under his own writing and direction. Based on some true events, the film focuses on commercial entertainment filled with humor, family drama, and music. The entire story of the film is decorated with diverse characters.
The film stars Lukman Avaran, Vincy Aloysius, Binu Pappu, and Sujith Shankar.
Sharan Velayudhan worked as the cinematography director of the film and Nishad Yusuf was in charge of editing. Pali Francis made his musical directorial debut by composing music for the film.
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Sandeep Senon, best known for Thandimuthalum Drikasakshiyum, has produced the film under the banner of Urbashi Theatres.
In a Nutshell
With these 10 Best coming soon South Indian Movies in December 2022, a year of movies is going to have a great ending.
After the announcements of the release dates of the new versions of several superhit movies, the audience can’t wait for the new year. Perhaps it can be overstated to say that December's Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada movies will outrun those anticipators. But it is certain that the momentum of the entire South Indian film industry will gain a new dimension.
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Royals tour US green tech incubator, meet at-risk youth
The Prince and Princess of Wales on Thursday heard about solar-powered autonomous boats and low-carbon cement at a green technology startup incubator in suburban Boston before learning how a nonprofit gives young people the tools to stay out jail and away from violence.
William and Kate, making their first overseas visit since the death of Queen Elizabeth II, also found time for hundreds of cheering onlookers at each stop on the second of three days in the city. The royal couple spent 10 minutes with the crowd at one stop, chatting, taking selfies and receiving lots of flower bouquets. Some fans held up signs “Welcome to Boston, Your Highnesses” and “Welcome to Chelsea, the Future King and Queen of England.”
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” declared Loren Simao, who said she’s watched William grow up over several decades. “They are just wonderful people, and we need more of them in the world.”
The visit started Wednesday with a reception at Boston City Hall and a trip to a Boston Celtics basketball game. It culminates Friday with the awarding of the prince’s signature Earthshot Prize, a global competition aimed at finding new ways to protect the planet and tackle climate change.
The trip also comes amid uproar back home over an 83-year-old honorary member of the royal household who reportedly asked the Black chief executive of an east London women’s refuge where she “really came from” after she told the older woman that she was British. Some said the incident was an example of wider issues of racism at Buckingham Palace.
On Thursday, William and Kate stopped by Roca Inc., a nonprofit north of Boston that strives to halt the cycle of incarceration, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, pregnancy and racism faced by young men and women ages 16 to 24.
Roca CEO Dr. Molly Baldwin and Chelsea police Capt. Dave Batchelor explained the science and cognitive behavioral therapy used by the nonprofit.
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During the visit, the royal couple met with two young men involved in the program.
“Well I hope you give yourself a pat on the back as well, you got yourself here,” the prince told Jonathan Williams. “These guys have provided you with the support and the outside bit, but you’ve done it yourself.”
The couple also talked to some participants in Roca’s program for young mothers. The royals, who have three children, even showed off their parenting skills while interacting with some of the kids, at one point helping a little girl look for her mother.
Before heading to Roca, the couple went to Greentown Labs in Somerville, where they were greeted by CEO Emily Reichert, Mayor Katjana Ballantyne as well as Joe Curtatone, the former mayor of the city just north of Boston who is now the president of the Northeast Clean Energy Council.
Since its 2011 founding, Greentown, the largest climate technology startup incubator in North America, has supported more than 500 companies that have created more than 9,000 jobs.
While at Greentown, the royal couple chatted to Shara Ticku, CEO of c16 Biosciences, a company developing decarbonized alternatives for the consumer products supply chain, starting with a sustainable alternative to palm oil. “Oils today come from animals or plants,” Ticku said. “We made this from fungi.”
At Open Ocean Robotics, CEO and cofounder Julie Angus told the prince and princess about their solar-powered autonomous boats, which provide real-time information about the oceans. Angus had a computer and monitor on her table, showing data of a real boat out in the harbor in Victoria, British Columbia, where the company is based.
“Five knots? That’s quite quick,” the prince said, looking at the screen. “It’s amazing it hasn’t capsized,” he added. Angus noted that the boats are able to self-right.
William and Kate also chatted with Katherine Dafforn, co-founder of Living Seawalls, an Australian company that designs environmentally friendly ocean infrastructure. “For all of us, time is ticking,” William said.
Upon their departure from Greentown Labs, Kate received flowers from 8-year-old Henry Dynov-Teixeira, who was wearing a King’s Guard costume.
Thursday’s agenda also included a visit to the Boston waterfront, where the royal couple braved brisk conditions to learn about efforts to prepare the Boston Harbor community for rising seas and other impacts of climate change.
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As they left, Prince William talked with several park workers who asked if they had enjoyed the Boston Celtics game they attended Wednesday night. Prince William said Kate had asked if he wanted to shoot some hoops.
“Ten feet up? It’s been a long time since I’ve done that,” he laughed, adding, “We might come back when it’s a bit warmer. It’s beautiful along the waterfront.”
The royal couple’s first trip to the U.S. since 2014 is part of the British royal family’s efforts to change their international image. In the wake of Elizabeth’s death, King Charles III, William’s father, has made clear that his will be a slimmed-down monarchy, with less pomp and ceremony than its predecessors.
That includes a focus on the Earthshot Prize, which offers 1 million pounds ($1.2 million) in prize money to each of the winners of five separate categories: nature protection, clean air, ocean revival, waste elimination and climate change. The winners and all 15 finalists also receive help in expanding their projects to meet global demand.
The winners are scheduled to be announced Friday at Boston’s MGM Music Hall as part of a glitzy show headlined by Billie Eilish, Annie Lennox, Ellie Goulding and Chloe x Halle. The show will also feature videos narrated by naturalist David Attenborough and actor Cate Blanchett.
Kim Kardashian and Ye settle divorce, averting custody trial
Kim Kardashian and Ye have reached a settlement in their divorce, averting a trial that had been set for next month, court documents filed Tuesday showed.
The former couple and their attorneys filed documents asking for a judge’s approval of terms they have agreed on, including $200,000 per month child support payments rom Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, to Kardashian.
The two will have joint custody, and neither will pay the other spousal support, according to the documents filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.
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The judge declared the two legally single at Kardashian’s request in March, ending their eight-year marriage, but issues of property and custody remained that were to be worked out in a trial starting Dec. 14.
The two have four children whose ages range from 3 to 9 years old.
Kardashian and Ye will equally split the expenses for the kids’ private security and private school, including college, according to the settlement proposal.
They will also each pay their own debts the settlement said. The two had a pre-nuptial agreement and kept their property largely separate.
The couple began dating in 2012 and had their first child in 2013. West proposed later that year using the giant screen at the empty waterfront ballpark of the San Francisco Giants, and the two married May 24, 2014, in a ceremony at a Renaissance fortress in Florence, Italy.
The two appeared to be headed for a cordial split with agreed-upon terms when Kardashian first filed for divorce in February of 2021. Neither discussed the split publicly until early this year, when Ye started lashing out on social media against Kardashian, her family, and then-boyfriend Pete Davidson. Among his complaints were that he was not being allowed to make major parenting decisions and was been excluded from birthday parties and other events for their children.
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Ye, who has fired two lawyers since the divorce filing, also raised several technical issues and demands, including seeking the right to question any new husband of Kardashian’s under oath, which Judge Steve Cochran promptly rejected.
The settlement comes soon after several companies have cut ties with Ye ove r offensive and antisemitic remarks that have further eroded an already withering public image.
His latest lawyer, Nicholas Salick, did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the settlement.
It was the third marriage for Kardashian, the reality TV superstar, businesswoman and influencer, and the first marriage for the rap and fashion mogul Ye. Theirs was one of the most closely followed celebrity unions in recent decades.
Is Jaya Ahsan making her debut in Hindi cinema?
Popular Bangladeshi actress Jaya Ahsan has won over the local as well as India's Kolkata-based film industry with her acting prowess.
Now, according to West Bengal media, the versatile actress could be making her debut in Hindi cinema.
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According to Kolkata's Anandabazar Patrika, Jaya could be seen in the Hindi movie "Karak Singh", directed by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury where renowned Bollywood actor Pankaj Tripathi will play the title role.
"Karak Singh" is going to be based on the story of a financial scam. The movie will be shot in Kolkata and Mumbai, sources said. Jaya, however, has not cleared the air and has not confirmed whether she is going to make her debut in a Hindi film.
Israeli filmmaker at IFFI calls ‘The Kashmir Files’ a ‘propaganda’; ambassador apologises
Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid, who criticised “The Kashmir Files” as a “propaganda” and “vulgar film” at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, today (November 29, 2022) received harsh criticism from the Israeli ambassador to India.
In an “open letter” posted on Twitter the day after IFFI jury chair Lapid criticised the movie at the festival’s closing ceremony, Israeli envoy Naor Gilon also expressed his regrets to India, NDTV reports.
The 1990 migration and murders of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley is the subject of Vivek Agnihotri’s film “The Kashmir Files”. Since it was released in March, it has been engulfed in controversy.
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The Israeli ambassador tweeted this morning: “An open letter to #NadavLapid following his criticism of #KashmirFiles. It’s not in Hebrew because I wanted our Indian brothers and sisters to be able to understand. It is also relatively long so I’ll give you the bottom line first. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED. Here’s why:”
Ambassador Gilon claimed that filmmaker Lapid had exploited the judges’ panel invitation from the film festival in India’s Goa in the “worst way”.
He wrote: “In Indian culture they say that a guest is like God. You have abused in the worst way the Indian invitation to chair the panel of judges at @IFFIGoa as well as the trust, respect and warm hospitality they have bestowed on you.”
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“I unequivocally condemn such statements. There is no justification. It does show the sensitivity of the Kashmir issue here,” the Israeli ambassador’s tweet read. “From your interview to Ynet the connection you make between your criticism of #KashmirFiles and your dislike to what is happening in Israeli politics was quite evident.”
He further tweeted: “As a human being I feel ashamed and want to apologize to our hosts for the bad manner in which we repaid them for their generosity and friendship.”
Gilon claimed in tweets directed to Lapid that the relations between Israel and India are very strong and will endure the “damages” caused by the latter’s comments.
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Israeli filmmaker and IFFI jury head Lapid yesterday (November 28, 2022) remarked that “The Kashmir Files” movie “disturbed and shocked” the festival jury members. He said, “That felt to us like a propaganda, vulgar movie, inappropriate for an artistic competitive section of such a prestigious film festival.”
Rape, murder attempts case: Pori Moni gives statement
Film actress Pori Moni on Tuesday gave statement against three people including businessman Nasir U Mahmood and Tuhin Siddique Omi, in a case filed over rape and murder attempts on her.
Dhaka Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-9 Judge Hemayet Uddin recorded her statement and fixed January 11 to hear the rest of the statement.
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Actress Pori Moni appeared at the court whith her husband actor Shariful Islam Razz.
Of the accused, Omi and Shah Shahidul Alam were present but Nasir appealed for time mentioning illness.
On June 9, ,2021 Pori Moni in her verified Facebook page uploaded a status seeking justice from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, claiming that the six people attempted to rape and kill her at the Uttara Boating Club.
On June 14, Pori Moni filed a sexual assault complaint against six people, including Nasir and Omi, with Savar Model Police Station.
Later, Nasir and four others were arrested from Uttara by a team of detectives.
Read: SC clears way to continue trial against Pori Moni
On September 6, the investigating officer in the case, submitted a charge-sheet against the three accused to the Dhaka Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court.
But, on Dec 1, Pori Moni filed a no-confidence petition seeking further investigation.
On December 13, Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-9 Judge Md Hemayet Uddin accepted the charges in the case rejecting Pori Moni’s no-confidence petition..
The court fixed March 3, 2022 for beginning trial in the case.
British pop star Dua Lipa gets Albanian citizenship
Albania’s president on Sunday granted citizenship to British pop star of Albanian origin Dua Lipa for what he said was the artist’s role in spreading Albanians’ fame internationally through her music.
President Bajram Begaj said Lipa was granted citizenship ahead of Albania’s 110th anniversary of independence from the Ottoman Empire. Begaj said he considered it an honor to do so because Lipa has made Albanians famous throughout the world.
“I will be an Albanian with papers too,” Lipa said before taking her citizenship oath at Tirana city hall.
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Lipa was born in London in 1995 to immigrant Albanian parents Anesa and Dukagjin Lipa from Kosovo.
Lipa, who started singing at five years old, was musically influenced by her father, a former singer and guitarist of a rock band. She started to post her songs in YouTube when she was 14. Her first debut studio album was released in 2017. In 2019 she won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
Together with her father, she co-founded the Sunny Hill Foundation in 2016 to raise funds with annual concerts held in her native Kosovo to help people experiencing financial difficulties.
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“It is an indescribable great joy with such acceptance, love and everything,” said Lipa. The artist then took a passport photo, was fingerprinted and signed an application form for an identity hard and passport.
Lipa will wrap up her annual concert tour in Tirana’s main Skanderbeg Square on Monday to commemorate Independence Day.
Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association finally begins journey with full panel
After going through much drama and controversies regarding its General Secretary candidacy since the election at the beginning of this year, the full executive committee of Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association finally got together on Sunday night at the association office, BFDC in the capital.
Two members of the Misha-Zayed panel, actress Moushumi and actor Ali Raj took the oath on Sunday, at the meeting of the executive committee of the association under President Ilias Kanchan.
Read: ‘Agantuk’ wins Film Bazaar Award in Goa
The fight between Zayed Khan and Nipun Akter over the position of General Secretary has been resolved recently after the verdict of the court, and now the members of both panels are united under the leadership of Kanchan as President and Nipun as the GS, according to the members.
“It feels great to have everyone together as a united force,” Moushumi stated to the media after taking the oath. “After everything we have gone through since the election, now we are finally united.”
Ilias Kanchan said, “I am glad to have everyone together as a team and this is what I desired from the beginning. I have experienced agony during the past nine months, and now, today, the suffering has ended.”
“With the presence of our entire association's members tonight at this meeting and as everyone has vowed to act in the best interests of artists, we can gladly leave behind the conflicts and move forward,” Kanchan aspired.
Regarding his presence in the meeting and forgetting all the past conflicts, Dipjol told the media, "I have never wanted any conflict between artists. Since the dispute over the post of General Secretary has reached the court and now there is no obstacle for Nipun to perform her duties as the GS of the association, I have decided to participate in the meeting and stay with its activities as I have always said that I will obey the verdict of the court.”
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The meeting was attended by a number of actors, including Riaz, Symon, Anjana, Emon, Joy Chowdhury, Keya, Jadu Azad, Shahnoor and others.
‘Agantuk’ wins Film Bazaar Award in Goa
Biplob Sarkar-directed Bangladeshi feature film ‘Agantuk’ (The Stranger) has recently been conferred as the unanimous winner of the Prasad DI award by the Film Bazaar Recommends jury in Goa, India in the Viewing Room section.
The Viewing Room presents Indian and South Asian films, in-production or completed, looking for film festivals, world sales, distribution partners and also finishing funds.
A total of 247 films were selected for the Viewing Room this year, out of which 30 films made it to the Film Bazaar Recommendations Section which includes 20 full-length, 2 mid-length and 8 short films.
Film Bazaar, held on November 20-24, dedicated to discovering, supporting and showcasing South Asian content is increasingly becoming a place of great interest for young filmmakers from South Asia. This event provides Film Bazaar with an opportunity to interact with renowned producers, distributors, sales agents and festival organisers from around the world.
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This win will allow the recipients to make a complete DI DCP and to use Qubewire to transmit the film to film festivals and exhibitors. However, due to visa complications, director Biplob Sarkar could not attend the Film Bazaar and receive the award in person.
“The Prasad Lab in Hyderabad, India is a pioneer in film and video post-production for our creative industry over the years, and this is a great opportunity for us to conduct the post-production works of our film,” Biplob Sarkar told UNB.
With editing being completed, the director and producers are now preparing for other post-production works. After completing the post-production at Prasad Lab, the target is to focus on its distribution and compete in global film festivals around the world, he added.
The story of Agantuk revolves around a 10-year-old boy named Kajal, living in a rural area of Bangladesh with their mother and terminally ill grandmother struggles with their gender identity.
Kajal’s father, Javed, has been absent for a long time.
One day, Javed returns home. This change in dynamics creates a rift in the family; Kohinoor doesn’t interact with Javed and Javed’s mother doesn’t recognize him. This return forces Kajal to share the bed with their grandmother.
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Kohinoor fears Kajal’s mental state, worrying about their cross-dressing as well as their attachment to their father. This hits a crescendo one night when Javed demands that Kajal be sent away to boarding school.
‘Agantuk’ features eminent actress Ferdousi Mazumder, alongside Sahana Rahman Sumi, Ratan Dev, Mahmud Alam, Ehan, Rafsan, Hriday, Hasimun and Nayeema Tasnim in the major roles.
The film is produced by Ramya Rahim Chowdhury, Tazul Haque, Saifur Rahman Lenin and Biplob Sarkar. It received a government grant for the 2019-2020 fiscal year.
In 2019, Biplob Sarkar's short documentary ‘Life Is Elsewhere’ won the Tarek Shahriar Best Independent Short Award at the 15th International Short and Independent Film Festival held in Dhaka. In 2020, another of his documentaries ‘Bismritajan’ won Exposition Young Film Talent Grant organised by Liberation War Museum.
Earlier, he had worked as coordinator and faculty moderator of the film department at Pathshala South Asian Media Institute. He had also worked as chief assistant director in 'Meghmallar' and 'Chander Amavasya' directed by Zahidur Rahim Anjan.