entertainment
BTS' Jin makes guest appearance at Coldplay concert in Argentina
Jin of the K-pop megaband BTS made a guest appearance at Coldplay's concert in Buenos Aires on Friday (local time) for his first live performance of his solo debut single, "The Astronaut," with the British rock band.
According to music industry sources here, Jin appeared from the opposite side of the main stage after being introduced by the band's vocalist Chris Martin during the show.
The venue was filled with shouts from music fans as soon as the South Korean singer took the stage, with some shocked spectators seen incredulously covering their mouths with their hands.
Clad in jeans, a gray diamond-patterned knit and a matching dark-colored jumper, the BTS vocalist sang a bar of "The Astronaut" with his pink microphone and ran to the center of the stage to hug Martin.
"The Astronaut" is a pop-rock genre song co-written by Coldplay, with the British band also playing on the recording. Jin participated in writing the lyrics, expressing his affection for Army, the global fandom of the K-pop septet.
Jin's deeply sentimental voice accompanied by a calming sound of acoustic guitar and gradual build-up of synth sound creates the mysterious and dreamy mood of the song.
The British band previously collaborated with BTS for a single, "My Universe," which topped the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart upon its release in September last year.
"The Astronaut" has sold more than 700,000 copies for a day after it came out at 1 p.m. Friday, Big Hit Music, the agency for BTS, said, quoting data from Hanteo Chart.
It marks a big sales figure for a single-track album.
"The Astronaut" also topped iTunes' top songs chart in 97 countries around the world, including the United States, Britain, Germany and France, as of 9 a.m. Saturday.
The song's music video telling a story of an astronaut who accidentally landed on Earth has also garnered over 17 million views on YouTube as of 2 p.m.
After wrapping up promotional activities for "The Astronaut," Jin is set to temporarily leave the music scene to become the first BTS member to enlist for mandatory military service.) -- Jin of the K-pop megaband BTS made a guest appearance at Coldplay's concert in Buenos Aires on Friday (local time) for his first live performance of his solo debut single, "The Astronaut," with the British rock band.
According to music industry sources here, Jin appeared from the opposite side of the main stage after being introduced by the band's vocalist Chris Martin during the show.
The venue was filled with shouts from music fans as soon as the South Korean singer took the stage, with some shocked spectators seen incredulously covering their mouths with their hands.
Pritom, Shahtaj walk down the aisle
Musician-actor Pritom Hasan and model-actress Shahtaj Monira Hashem tied the knot at a 5-star hotel in Sylhet's Sreemangal Friday.
Although the two had been dating for some time, they managed to keep their relationship a secret.
Actress Sunerah Binte Kamal, a close friend of Pritom and Shahtaj, shared photos from the couple's "Mehendi" event Thursday night on social media, revealing that the couple was getting married.
Pritom shared his wedding photos today on his social media handles.
A popular actress in recent times, Shahtaj started her career through television commercials. Her mainstream acting career began with the telefilm "Masti Unlimited."
"Chinigura Prem" and "Chikon Piner Charger" are some of Shahtaj's most popular works. She has also been praised for her role in the film "Iti, Tomari Dhaka" (Sincerely Yours, Dhaka), Bangladesh's first anthology film.
Pritom is one of the most popular new generation singers and music directors, known for his tracks "Shoroter Shesh Thekey," "Morey Jak," "Ami Amari Moto," "Local Bus," "Beainshab" and more.
As an actor, he garnered critical acclaim for his roles in Nuhash Humayun's short film "700 Taka," Adnan Al Rajeev's web film for Chorki "YouTumor" and a few dramas.
Pritom also acted in several of his music videos, including the much-acclaimed "Morey Jak," "Shoroter Shesh Theke," "Khoka," "Bhenge Porona Ebhabe," and "Jadukor" – the music video where it all began for him and Shahtaj.
He is the youngest son of the late popular Bangladeshi singer Khalid Hasan Milu and the younger brother of singer Protic Hasan.
After string of blockbusters, Mim envisions another ‘sold out’ experience with ‘Damal’
Bidya Sinha Mim has, of late, established herself as one of the most successful and busiest actresses in the Bangladeshi film industry.
Although Mim has multiple commercially successful films to her name, she has earned special accolades from moviegoers for her brilliant performance in the film ‘Poran'.
On Friday, the popular actress is appearing on the big screen yet again with her new film ‘Damal', another Raihan Rafi directorial, based on the story of the Swadhin Bangla Football Team.
Written by eminent cultural personality Faridur Reza Sagar, ‘Damal’ is showcasing an ensemble cast of acclaimed artistes, including Siam Ahmed, Shariful Razz, Intekhab Dinar and Shahnaz Sumi, alongside the female lead Mim.
While speaking to UNB, Mim, visibly excited about her new film, shared her journey with ‘Damal’ and said that each new movie adds a different experience to her portfolio.
“My newest film ‘Damal’ portrays the story of a football team during the Liberation War of Bangladesh, and I appeared as a simple yet flamboyant village girl named Hasna. The experience was challenging like my every other film, and the audience will be the one to demonstrate whether my efforts were praiseworthy or not,” Mim said.
Speaking on ‘Poran’s overwhelming response, Mim said that she thinks the movie has brought her closer to the audience.
Read: Bidya Sinha Mim appointed UNICEF National Ambassador in Bangladesh
“The unbelievable amount of praise I received for ‘Poran’ from our beloved audience, has inspired me and increased my courage. The experience of houseful shows and ‘sold-out’ responses were totally new experiences.
“People even called me for the tickets of both ‘Poran’ and now ‘Damal,’ and these are really noteworthy for me as an actress, and I would request the audience to buy tickets in advance as tickets may run out this time as well,” Mim said.
About Damal, Mim said that the film will continue proving the fact that the current filmmakers are thinking differently and bringing a refreshingly new era to the country’s cinema industry.
Advance ticket sale of Damal has begun at many places in the country, including Dhaka. The number of regular shows has also increased in multiplexes.
Produced by Impress Telefilms, ‘Damal’ will be showcased on single screens and multiplexes across the country. All five branches of Star Cineplex in the capital are scheduled to run 16 shows on the first day, while a total of 17 shows are slated from second day onwards.
Stage set for top 7 bands for Mixtape Vol:1 concert
The concert "Mixtape Vol:1" will enthral music lovers with the performance of seven renowned bands – Artcell, Nemesis, Ark, Indalo, Karnival, Ashes, and Highway – this Friday at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital.
Dhaka Broadcast, a rising entertainment agency, is organising the concert to end the year on a high note.
Also, the organisers said it will be the first one of a series of concerts.
Mixtape Vol:1 is going to be held at ICCB Hall 2 (Pushpoguccho) and the gate will be opened at 2 pm.
Tickets are currently available for purchase for Tk599 each.
Geetanjali Lalitkala Academy to honour three eminent personalities
Celebrating the 18th anniversary of its inauguration, Geetanjali Lalitkala Academy, a traditional culture training centre, is hosting a two-day cultural festival on October 28 and 29 at Small and Cottage Industries Training Institute (SCITI) auditorium, Uttara in the capital.
Marking the occasion, the academy is set to honour three prolific personalities with the Geetanjali Sammanana Padak (Geetanjali Honorary Award) 2022 on October 28, Friday.
The personalities are - eminent educationist Professor Emeritus Arun Kumar Basak, writer Anwara Syed Haq and painter Professor Mohammad Eunus for their important contribution to education, art, literature and culture in Bangladesh.
Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Md Atiqul Islam will join the event as the chief guest, while Mohammad Habib Hasan, Member of Parliament for Dhaka-18 Constituency, will join as the special guest.
The inaugural day event on Friday will be presided over by eminent educationist and former DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique.
Read: Remembering Tagore, the polymath!
Artists from the Geetanjali Academy of Fine Arts will perform songs, dance, and recitations at the two-day festival.
On Saturday, the closing day of the festival will be joined by Asim Kumar Ukil, Cultural Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League and Member of Parliament from Netrokona-3 Constituency as the chief guest in the discussion seminar, in remembrance of late National Professor Rafiqul Islam, former Adviser of Geetanjali Lalitkala Academy.
Industrialist and Bangladesh Awami League's Secretary of Industry and Commerce Md Siddiqur Rahman will join the ceremony as its special guest, and the event will be presided over by eminent artist Hashem Khan.
In the last 17 years of its glorious journey, the Geetanjali Sammanana Padak was awarded to several eminent personalities including National Professor Kabir Chowdhury, Professor Dr Zillur Rahman Siddiqui, poet Professor Alauddin Al Azan, writer and poet Syed Shamsul Haq, National Professor Mustafa Nurul Islam, Tagore researcher Ahmad Rafiq, Language Soldier Abdul Matin, educationist Dr Sirajul Islam Chowdhury, National Professor Rafiqul Islam, National Professor Anisuzzaman, musician Sudhin Das, cultural personality Kamal Lohani, painter Hashem Khan, litterateur Hasan Azizul Haque, painter Samarjit Roy Chowdhury, writer Rabeya Khatun, cultural personality Ramendu Majumdar, poet Asad Chowdhury, rt maestro Rafiqunnabi, playwright Begum Mamtaz Hossain, novelist Selina Hossain, social and cultural personality Sultana Kamal, artist Mustafa Monwar, filmmaker Subhash Dutta, playwright Imdadul Haq Milan, Artist Murtaza Bashir, poet Nirmalendu Goon, cultural personality Mofidul Haque, poet Nurul Huda, painter Monirul Islam, actress Ferdousi Majumdar, thespian Asaduzzaman Noor, cultural personality Nasir Uddin Yusuff, poet Kamal Chowdhury, thespian Ataur Rahman, researcher Muntasir Mamoon, and art maestro Farida Zaman.
'Din: The Day' row: Ananta sends legal notice to Morteza
Dhallywood actor-businessman Ananta Jalil has sent a legal notice to his film "Din: The Day" director – Iranian filmmaker Morteza Atashzamzam – following a suave exchange of verbal blows between them surrounding the real budget of the movie.
The notice from Ahammad Jonaed and Partners, on behalf of Ananta, was sent to Morteza on September 4, the actor-producer wrote on social media Saturday night.
Earlier, Morteza had threatened to sue Ananta for inflating the budget of the movie saying it was worth Tk100 crore.
In August, the Iranian filmmaker accused Ananta of breaching the conditions of the movie's agreement through a post on his Instagram.
Later, through another Instagram post, he revealed that the budget of Din: The Day was $500,000, which amounts to about Tk4 crore. However, Ananta brushed it aside.
Recently, Din: The Day was released in Malaysia in September and Ananta announced that the film would be released in Singapore in January next year.
After that, Morteza took to Instagram on Saturday writing: "Mr Ananta, you have released the film in Malaysia after Bangladesh without my permission as the producer and director of the film. And now you have announced plans to release it in Singapore."
"Fortunately, soon your fraud will be exposed in the court of Iran, and then I will collect my dues from you through the honourable court of Bangladesh."
The director also shared photos from the official signing ceremony between Ananta and him and wrote: "During your second visit to Tehran, the agreement for the film between you and me was written and signed in front of the national flags of the two countries. According to Iranian policy, the agreement was written in the mother languages of both parties (Bangla and Persian)."
In response, Ananta wrote on his Facebook: "Backed by miscreants and anti-national groups in Bangladesh, Iranian director Morteza Atashzamzam of Din: The Day recently presented incorrect and fabricated information regarding the making of our film, which was published in some of our media."
"For these reasons and also for defaming me, I sent a notice to him on September 4. He has not yet responded to me personally."
"Morteza will have to answer to the International Court of Justice for these lies, and the Bangladeshi miscreants involved in it will not be spared."
‘Black Adam’ alights at Star Cineplex
‘Black Adam,’ one of the most anticipated Hollywood movies in 2022 starring popular actor Dwayne Johnson, hit US theatres on Friday (October 21, 2022) as well as Star Cineplex in Bangladesh.
The superhero movie is a spin-off of Shazam! (2019), the 11th movie in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), and the first movie in the franchise's Phase One, based on the same-named DC Comics character.
A ‘Shazam!’ spin-off produced by Warner Brothers and New Line Cinema, ‘Brack Adam’ first debuted in DC Comics in the 1940s as a villain; however, in 2000, it was re-introduced as an anti-hero.
Read Star Cineplex's Awesome Autumn gives moviegoers chance to win trip to Maldives.
The character of Black Adam, portrayed by wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, possessed divine abilities from the Egyptian gods. After being freed from the earth for approximately five thousand years, he returned to the modern world to take part in an exciting conflict over justice and retaliation, crossing the path with the Justice Society of America (JAS).
Dwayne Johnson, the main draw as the title character, is appearing in a DC Comics movie for the first time with this film. In addition to this, Pierce Brosnan, the former James Bond actor, is also playing a special character in the film.
Moviegoers and DCEU fans in Bangladesh have been eagerly waiting to see the powerful anti-hero in the theatres.
Marking the release, Star Cineplex arranged a gala press premiere on Thursday (October 20, 2022) night at its SKS Tower branch in the capital which was joined by journalists from different media outlets alongside popular celebrities and social media influencers.
Read New Releases: Top 10 South Indian Movies to Watch in October 2022
“Previously, it was unthinkable for moviegoers in our country to watch the most eagerly awaited Hollywood productions on the day of their international premiere. Star Cineplex brought that opportunity to its fans and now we are premiering the biggest Hollywood films on the same day of their global releases, and we will continue this trend for our moviegoers,” Star Cineplex parent company ShowMotion Limited Chairman Mahboob Rahman Ruhel said at the event.
He also informed that the Cineplex is bringing two of the next most-anticipated Hollywood films in the upcoming months - the celebrated Marvel Comics superhero ‘Black Panther’ sequel ‘Wakanda Forever’ in November, and ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ in December, the second installation of the groundbreaking American epic science-fiction film ‘Avatar’ (2009), directed by James Cameron.
Star Cineplex is now showing the film ‘Black Adam’ across all of its five branches in the capital - Bashundhara City in Panthapath, Shimanto Shambhar in Dhanmondi, Sony Square in Mirpur, SKS Tower, Mohakhali and Bangabandhu Military Museum in Bijoy Sarani.
Read Star Cineplex's Awesome Autumn gives moviegoers chance to win trip to Maldives.
'Wolfed Down': One-woman theatrical show memerises Dhaka audience
Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD) and Goethe-Institut Bangladesh are hosting the theatrical performance "Wolfed Down" by French puppeteer Laurie Cannac, at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA).
The theatrical puppetry, presented entirely in English, enthralled the Dhaka audience Wednesday at 7pm, and the first show was held on Tuesday, at 4pm at the same venue.
The theatrical presentation is a "one-woman performance" by Laurie with a varied puppet universe.
The story is based on the popular European fairy tale "Little Red Riding Hood" by the Brothers Grimm, a brother duo of German academicians, philologists, cultural researchers, lexicographers, and novelists.
This "Gothic" adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood examines the animistic force of the puppet, creates an eclectic relationship between itself and the actress's body, and effectively unites poetry with a sense of humour, amusing the audience.
Turongomi Repertory Dance Theatre to join Indonesia International Culture Festival 2022
Turongomi Repertory Dance Theatre will join the prestigious "Indonesia International Culture Festival 2022" in Indonesia from October 22-30.
The festival is one of the largest gatherings of dance professionals in the world, organised by the government of Indonesia, said a media release Wednesday.
Pooja Sengupta, the artistic director of Turongomi, will represent Bangladesh at the festival. She will also conduct a workshop and talk about the Bangladeshi Aroti dance. She will also take part in the popular Bandung Art Festival 2022 in Jawa.
Recently, Pooja represented Bangladesh at the Sustainable Development Goals UNESCO Resili-Art Festival in Manila, the Philippines in April 2022.
Later this year in July, Turongomi took part in the Daegu Colorful Festival, one of the largest dance parades in the world.
Since its inception in 2014, Turongomi has been working with the motto of establishing the signature style of Bangladeshi dance in the international arena and achieving professionalism in the dance scenario of Bangladesh.
Turongomi School of dance, a sister concern of Turongomi Repertory Dance Theatre, became a member of the International Dance Council of UNESCO along with Pooja herself, in 2019.
Pooja received the Noorul Quader Entrepreneur award in 2018 for establishing Turongomi.
Ayub Bachhu's 4th death anniversary comes and goes quietly
Though it was expected that several functions would be held commemorating the fourth death anniversary of the country’s iconic rock superstar Ayub Bachhu, surprisingly no significant event was organised marking the day across the country or in the music industry on Tuesday.
However, some fans, music lovers, co-artists remembered the legendary iconic singer and guitarist on social media including Facebook.
Here, some remarkable memories of the late superstar were put up.
Sharing a picture with his friend Ayub Bachhu, popular singer Kumar Bishwajit in a Facebook post said "Stay in the heart forever, stay sound friend".
Music Director and Singer Nakib Khan in another post said ‘’How time flies! Our dear Bachhu--you will always stay in our heart, May Allah grant you Jannah.”
Read: “Miss and love you…Sollo,” says Ayub Bachchu’s son on his 4th death anniversary
Lyricist and composer Prince Mahmud said “Losing you we understood what you were."
Popular Singer Kanak Chanpa wrote “I was not able to write mourning when I was about to write the word on the mourning notebook, pride came out instead of mourning for you. Not a single song fell on the soil, rather grabbed its place in the minds of people, which (you) magician of composer and guitar designed. There is no need to write the songs, sung by you, on the notebook which youths of the country can sing like timetables”.
“I don’t call him an artist, rather a saint. No mourning comes from the heart for a saint, comes pride. Ayub Bachhu is the greatest guitarist of the sub-continent, Bachhu is our pride, and we will surely feel pride, Rest in peace in the graveyard,” she observed.
Music artist Shawkat Ali Emon in his Facebook timeline wrote “Those whom we love very much they don’t go away, rather walk beside us, unseen and no tearing always stay closer, still love you, miss. May Alla grant you jannah, You (Bachhu bhai) was, is and will be,”
Popular Singer Asif Akbar recalled the guitarist by saying “Bachhu bhai played guitar for two hours at a function organised by me and tied my with the knot of gratefulness, once there was a good family bonding with him and he used to love very much my mother, and even he used to meet mother going Cumilla, though I didn’t know it.”