entertainment
'Operation Sundarban’ to hit the theatres on September 23
Projecting the courageous and breathtaking role of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)'s historical operations to defeat the pirates of the Sundarbans, acclaimed director Dipankar Dipon directed 'Operation Sundarban' is set for release on September 23 this year.
The official trailer of the much-anticipated action thriller film, produced by RAB Welfare Cooperative Society Limited, was released at a gala event on Friday night at the Laboni Point in the Cox’s Bazar sea beach, where the makers announced the release date of the film.
The 2-minute and 40-second trailer of the film featured Dhallywood's celebrated superstar Riaz Ahmed, Siam Ahmed, Nusraat Faria, Ziaul Roshan, Shatabdi Wadud and others in the setting of the film at Sundarbans as the important characters, and the trailer is earning appraisal from audiences for showcasing the commendable narrative of the film’s remarkable plot, history and facts, alongside the breathtaking visuals.
Also read: Wind of 'Hawa' blows full
Inspector General of Bangladesh Police Benazir Ahmed attended the trailer launching event as the chief guest while RAB Director General Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun joined as the special guest, alongside director Dipon and other higher officials and the cast members of the film.
“Not only a wonderful documentation of history, but "Operation Sundarban" is the success story of solving a four hundred years old-problem. Without proper documentation, the glorious tale of our operation against the pirates in the Sundarbans would remain untold. From that perspective, we took the initiative, and Dipon made justice with proper research and development for this film," Benazir Ahmed said.
Regarding his long-anticipated film, Dipankar Dipon said, “Our film is depicting this amazing story with the involvement of our 1,300 cast and crew members, narrating the saga of the mission against the water pirates and the aftermath of their post-pirate life, as well as the livelihood of the natives living around Sundarban. Without the cordial cooperation of RAB members and other elite forces officials, alongside the people of Sundarbans - this film would not see the daylight."
Under the supervision of RAB, the shooting of the film has taken place in multiple remote areas in the Sundarbans.
Actor Siam Ahmed, alongside Ziaul Roshan, Riaz Ahmed and others have undergone special training sessions from RAB before the shooting in he Sundarbans and were seen taking part in various expeditions on water, land, and air in the trailer.
Also read: DB quizzes Hero Alom for controversial video content
'Operation Sundarban,' was initially scheduled to be released during Eid-ul-Adha in 2020, which got delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The film was then scheduled to be released on Eid-ul-Adha in 2021, however that date was also pushed back.
Alongside Riaz, Siam, Nusraat Faria and Roshan, the film also features Raisul Islam Asad, Shatabdi Wadud, Manoj Pramanik, Taskeen Rahman, Rawnak Hasan, Arman Parvez Murad and Indian-Bengali actress Darshana Banik in other important characters.
Will Smith posts an apology video for slapping Chris Rock
Will Smith has again apologized to Chris Rock for slapping him during the Oscar telecast in a new video, saying that his behavior was “unacceptable” and that he had reached out to the comedian to discuss the incident but was told Rock wasn’t ready.
“There is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave in that moment,” Smith said in the video posted online Friday. “I am deeply remorseful and I’m trying to be remorseful without being ashamed of myself.”
Smith, seated in a white polo shirt and white ball cap, spoke directly to a camera, answering pre-selected questions about his behavior at the March 27 Academy Awards, when he slapped presenter Rock after the comedian made a comment about the hairstyle of Jada Pinkett Smith, Smith’s wife.
Smith also apologized to Rock’s family and especially his mother, Rosalie, who was horrified to see her son hurt and told US Weekly that, “When he slapped Chris, he slapped all of us. He really slapped me.” Smith also apologized to Tony Rock, Chris’ younger brother.
“I didn’t realize how many people got hurt in that moment,” Smith said.
Smith also apologized to his family “for the heat that I brought on all of us” and his fellow Oscar nominees to have “stolen and tarnished your moment.” He said his wife did nothing to encourage his slap. “Jada had nothing to do with it,” he said. “I made a choice on my own.”
Read: Will Smith resigns from film academy over Chris Rock slap
Following the altercation, the motion picture academy banned Smith from attending the Oscars or any other academy event for 10 years. Smith apologized to Rock in a statement after the Oscars, saying he was “out of line and I was wrong.”
“I’m sorry really isn’t sufficient,” Smith said in the video.
Wind of 'Hawa' blows full
Moviegoers drifted with the wind of "Hawa" as Mejbaur Rahman Sumon's debut film, one of the most-anticipated Bangladeshi cinemas in recent times, hit theatres of the country Friday.
Despite not being released during any major festivity, the film garnered an overwhelming response from the audience before and after its release. On the first day of its screening, Hawa hit 23 theatres all over Bangladesh and had 66 houseful shows.
In Dhaka, Hawa is being showcased at nine theatres, including all branches of Star Cineplex – Bashundhara City in Panthapath, Shimanto Shambhar in Dhanmondi, Sony Square in Mirpur, SKS Tower, Mohakhali and Bangabandhu Military Museum in Bijoy Sarani – Shyamoli Cinema Hall, Modhumita, Blockbuster Cinemas, and Lion Cinemas.
Tickets were sold out in most of these theatres almost two-three days ago. Massive crowds, eager to set sail with Hawa, were seen in front of the ticket counters in almost every theatre.
There will be 23 showings of Hawa at Star Cineplex on its opening day. This is the first time that a movie will have this many showings upon its launch at the Cineplex, whose website was down due to the volume of people trying to buy tickets.
"After so many days, Bangla movie fans have been to the cinema in such big numbers," Star Cineplex Senior Manager (Media and Marketing) Mesbah Uddin Ahmed told UNB.
"Although there is a big audience for foreign films, Bangla films are now thriving as well and we feel really proud to see massive crowds of movie fans. I hope they will keep coming back to watch Bangla movies."
"Our film has had houseful shows across the country. I am overwhelmed. I have not seen this kind of hype around a movie in the last two decades," Chanchal Chowdhury, who portrays the role of Chan Majhi, the leader of a group of fishermen stuck on a fishing boat, told the media after the screening of Hawa at Star Cineplex.
"Only those who watch Hawa will realise what we had to go through to bring the movie to the theatre. It has never been easy."
"Now many people are coming to the movie theatres to watch the result of our hard work and determination. There cannot be a greater reward than this for us," Chanchal said.
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Outside Dhaka, Hawa is being showcased in Sena Auditorium in Savar, Cinescope in Narayanganj, Silver Screen, Sugondha, Cinema Palace in Chattogram, Shankha Cinema and Liberty Cineplex in Khulna, Rupkotha in Pabna, Roots Cineclub in Sirajganj, Shapla in Rangpur, Modhuban Cinema and Momo in Bogura, Chhayabani in Mymensingh, and Borsha Cinema in Gazipur, and Grand Sylhet Cineplex in Sylhet.
Hawa revolves around a water gipsy girl who appears unannounced on a fishing boat that has become trapped in the middle of the ocean while narrating a metaphysical story. The film features Chanchal, Nazifa Tushi, Sariful Islam Raaz, Sumon Anwar, Nasir Uddin Khan, and Sohel Mondal in the lead roles.
Sukarna Sahed Dhiman, Zahin Faruq Amin, and Sumon wrote the screenplay. Sumon wrote the story and dialogue.
Produced by Sun Music and Motion Pictures and distributed by Jazz Multimedia, Hawa's song "Shada Shada Kala Kala," written and tuned by Hashim Mahmud, and "E Hawa," Meghdol's tribute to the film, swayed the nation towards the movie.
23rd Young Artists’ Fine Arts Exhibition begins at BSA
The 23rd edition of the Young Artists’ Fine Arts Exhibition, one of the flagship art events of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), began on Wednesday at the National Art Gallery of BSA in the capital.
The month-long biennale exhibition, organised by BSA’s fine arts department, is showcasing 422 artworks by 356 artists this year.
This year’s edition received a total of 2,034 artworks under 11 categories - paintings, sculptures, print and video illustrations, craft-works, pottery crafts, architectural and oriental arts, performance art, photography and new media arts, from a total of 1,019 artists between the age of 21 and 35.
Planning Minister MA Mannan inaugurated the exhibition on Wednesday while State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid, art critic Professor Nazrul Islam and art maestro Dr Farida Zaman joined as special guests and handed over the best artists’ awards to the recipients.
BSA's Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky presided over the ceremony, while BSA Director of Fine Arts Syeda Mahbuba Karim and BSA Secretary Md Asaduzzaman also spoke at the event.
The participating artists who were nominated as winners of 12 awards in 11 categories and one overall grand award winner in the exhibition, received their respective awards, certificates and prize money cheques at the ceremony.
Read: Curtain rises on Shilpo Bangla Art Exhibition
Artists Sajia Rahman Sondha received the title award as the best artist of all mediums in the exhibition, while artists Sujon Mahabub (performance art), Samia Ahmed (installation art), Halima Akter (ceramic), Md Fayez Alam Hasan (painting), Sushmita Mukherjee Misty (sculpture), Rumana Rahman (printmaking), Showrab Gosh (oriental art), Mahatab Rashid (graphics design), Rajan Nandi (crafts), Jewel Chakma (new media art), and Shahedul Islam Sadik (photography) won awards in respective categories.
A unique and specially curated subject-based art installation is being displayed at the 3rd gallery of the National Art Gallery by 10 educational institutions of the country including Dhaka University, Chittagong University, Rajshahi University, Khulna University, National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam University and more, which is planned and researched by BSA Director General Lucky.
The primary selection committee comprised Professor Pranab Mitra Chowdhury, artist Kamal Pasha Chowdhury, Professor Dr Nihar Ronjon Singha, artist Shayla Sharmin, photographer Ashfaque Ahmed and artist Zihan Karim.
The jury board for selecting the best artworks featured Professor Abul Barq Alvi, Dr Farida Zaman, artist Siddhartha Talukder, artist Lala Rukh Selim, artist Ziaul Karim and eminent photographer Nasir Ali Mamun.
Since 1975, the biennale exhibition has earned recognition from art-lovers around the whole nation as a festivity and celebration of modern artworks and crafts by artists from all over the country.
The exhibition will continue till August 25, every day from 11 pm to 8 pm and 3 pm on 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 number galleries and the sculpture arena at the National Art Gallery.
Emirates’ in-flight prog to feature ‘Krishoker Eid Ananda’
Popular TV reality game show ‘Krishoker Eid Ananda,’ directed and hosted by the renowned media personality Shykh Seraj will be available on Emirates in-flight programme ice (information, communication, entertainment) starting from August 1, 2022.
Passengers traveling on any Emirates flight operated across the globe can enjoy this celebrated program with English subtitles on their respective in-built seat’s TV screens.
Mohamed Alhammadi, Emirates Area Manager in Bangladesh made the announcement during a press interaction held at Channel i studio in the city on Thursday.
Shykh Seraj and Kazi Wahidul Alam, PR Consultant for Emirates in Bangladesh also spoke on the occasion among others.
“As the very first int’l airline, Emirates started screening Bangladeshi movies on its flights from December 2007. Since then, we have screened almost 150 movies, most of which were produced by Impress Telefilm,” said Mohamed Alhammadi.
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“This time Emirates has taken the initiative to include a very unique and popular program in its ice list. I believe, not only Bangladeshis but also the people from other nationalities will enjoy this program.”
Shykh Seraj said it is a big achievement for Impress Telefilm. “Through this program we will be able to promote our rural culture and tradition among the people across the world. I hope Emirates will continue their support in promoting Bangladeshi people and culture in the years to come.”
Kazi Wahidul Alam said they always enjoy the support from Emirates in presenting the bright image of Bangladesh worldwide.
“I hope other airlines operating to Bangladesh will follow Emirates and include Bangladeshi movies and other content in their in-flight program,” he said.
Emirates’ ice is the most international award winner in the in-flight entertainment category. The popular program of Emirates boasts of more than 5,000 channels and nearly 1,500 of those are dedicated to movies from different countries and cultures.
The content list is updated every month and new movies are included on a regular basis. From August 1, 2022 Emirates’ ice will provide six dedicated channels for Bangladeshi movies and other programs.
Emirates now operates 21 weekly flights to Dhaka and via Dubai offers convenient connections to nearly 130 destinations across six continents.
DB quizzes Hero Alom for controversial video content
The Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Wednesday quizzed Ashraful Hossen Alom, best known as Hero Alom, about his controversial video content shared on social media.
He was asked questions at the DB office in the capital's Minto Road in the morning as there were many "cyber allegations" against him, DMP Media and Public Relations wing Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Faruque Hossain said.
Recently, Hero Alom shared "offensive, defamatory, illegal videos" and other content on his official Facebook and YouTube channels. He also appeared in police uniform in videos without permission. These created a cascade of negative reactions from commoners, Faruque said.
Alom told the detectives that he creates and shares viral content on the internet, mainly to earn money. More views and revenue matter most to him.
Read: Accept Hero Alam’s nomination, HC orders EC
Asked about the obscene songs he created about several political leaders and models such as Palalo Palalo Murad Hasan, Rater Rani Piyasa, Mou and Pori Moni, Alom could not give a "proper answer."
Detectives let him go after he admitted his mistakes and assured DB that he will not repeat such activities, Faruque said.
Bollywood: Katrina Kaif & Vicky Kaushal get death threats
Bollywood's highest-paid actress Katrina Kaif and her actor-husband Vicky Kaushal have received death threats on Instagram, prompting the celebrity couple to seek police protection.
"Based on a complaint from the two actors, an FIR has been registered at Santacruz police station in the western Indian city of Mumbai. We have also initiated a probe," a police officer told the local media.
Katrina and Vicky Kaushal tied the knot in December last year. And Katrina had shared the first pictures of her and Vicky as newlyweds on Instagram only.
"Only love and gratitude in our hearts for everything that brought us to this moment. Seeking all your love and blessings as we begin this new journey together,” Katrina wrote, sharing the photos.
Read:It's official. Katrina Kaif & Vicky Kaushal are now husband and wife
Basically a model, the Hong Kong-born actress began her Bollywood career with 'Boom', an action film, in 2003 that flopped. Two years later, she earned commercial success -- thanks to the romantic comedy 'Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya'.
What followed was a series of hits -- 'Namastey London' in 2007, 'New York' in 2009, 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani' in 2009, 'Raajneeti' in 2010, 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' in 2011, 'Ek Tha Tiger' in 2012, 'Dhoom 3' in 2013 and 'Bang Bang!' in 2014.
Katrina's other highest-grossing Bollywood films are 'Tiger Zinda Hai' in 2017 and 'Bharat' in 2019, co-starring Salman Khan. Her last action flick was 'Sooryavanshi', co-starring Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgan.
Born to action director Sham Kaushal and his wife Veena, Vicky ventured into Bollywood as an assistant to filmmaker Anurag Kashyap in the crime drama 'Gangs of Wasseypur' in 2012.
His first leading role was in the independent drama 'Masaan' in 2015, but Vicky shot to limelight in 2018 with supporting roles in 'Raazi' and 'Sanju', two hits.
A year later, his lead role as a military officer in critically acclaimed action film 'Uri: The Surgical Strike', got him the National Film Award for Best Actor.
Bob Rafelson, New Hollywood era director, dies at 89
Bob Rafelson, an influential figure in the New Hollywood era of the 1970s who was nominated for two Oscars for “Five Easy Pieces,” has died. He was 89.
Rafelson died at his home in Aspen Saturday night surrounded by his family, said his wife, Gabrielle Taurek Rafelson.
Rafelson was responsible for co-creating the fictional pop music group and television series “The Monkees” alongside the late Bert Schneider, which won him an Emmy for outstanding comedy series in 1967.
But he was perhaps best known for his work during the New Hollywood era, which saw a classical studio system giving way to a batch of rebellious young voices and fresh filmmaking styles, and helped usher in talents like Martin Scorsese, Brian De Palma, Francis Ford Coppola and Steven Spielberg.
Rafelson directed and co-wrote “Five Easy Pieces,” about an upper-class pianist who yearns for a more blue-collar life, and “The King of Marvin Gardens,” about a depressed late-night-radio talk show host. Both films starred Jack Nicholson and explored themes of the American dream gone haywire. “Five Easy Pieces” got Rafelson two Oscar nominations in 1971, for best picture and screenplay.
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He also produced seminal New Hollywood classics including Peter Bogdanovich’s “The Last Picture Show” and Dennis Hopper’s “Easy Rider.”
Coppola once called him “one of the most important cinematic artists of his era” and his fans include Quentin Tarantino and Wes Anderson.
Rafelson was born in New York City and was a distant relative of “The Jazz Singer” screenwriter Samson Raphaelson, who he said took an interest in his work. At Dartmouth he also became friends with legendary screenwriter Buck Henry.
He developed an interest in Japanese cinema and the films of Yasujiro Ozu, especially “Tokyo Story,” while serving in the U.S. Army in Japan.
After college, Rafelson married his high school sweetheart, who would work as a production designer on his films and others. He got his start in the entertainment business in television, writing for shows like “The Witness” and “The Greatest Show on Earth.”
But “The Monkees” was his first big success. The idea for The Monkees, he said, predated The Beatles and the musical comedy “A Hard Day’s Night,” but it hit the moment well when it premiered on NBC in 1966. It ran for two years and allowed Rafelson to take a stab at directing himself.
The Monkees also appeared in his feature directorial debut, “Head,” which would be the first of many collaborations with Nicholson.
“I may have thought I started his career,” Nicholson told Esquire in 2019, “but I think he started my career.”
Rafelson was proudest of the 1990 film he directed, “Mountains of the Moon,” a biographical movie that told the story of two explorers, Sir Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke, as they searched for the source of the Nile, his wife said.
Rafelson's own adventures to places like Morocco, India, southeast Asia, Mexico and Guatemala influenced his work, she said.
“He loved nothing more than disappearing into strange pockets of the world,” Taurek Rafelson said.
Rafelson left Hollywood two decades ago to focus on raising two sons with Taurek Rafelson, Ethan and Harper, in Aspen. He and his first wife, Toby Rafelson, also had two children, Peter, and Julie, who died in 1973 when she was 10 years old.
Otilia grooves Dhaka musicophiles at ICCB
Romanian singer Otilia Brumă enthralled Dhaka audiences in her first-ever live concert in Bangladesh on Saturday, at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital.
The Romanian pop singer performed marking the exclusive launching of the Nokia G21 at the event titled ‘Otilia Live in Dhaka,’ organized by Rendezvous Asia Private Limited.
Internationally acclaimed for her worldwide hit track 'Bilionera,' Otilia kept the audience entertained for almost an hour by singing all her popular songs.
During the interval of the concert, Nokia G21 was launched and the singer then continued enthralling the Dhaka audience with western style dance to the rhythm of her popular songs.
Read: Batighar stages 'Radcliffe Line' at BSA
“I want to tell you that I am very happy to come to Dhaka for the first time. I am impressed and touched by your love and passion for my music, and hopefully, there will be more to come,” Otilia said during the concert, admiring the crazy crowd.
Earlier, the singer landed at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Friday. Addressing the fans and listeners, she wrote, “After 13 hours of flight I finally landed in Dhaka! I can't wait to meet you at the concert tomorrow.”
On Sunday, she posted an image on her social media handles wearing a red saree as a tribute to the traditional Bengali culture, which is being lauded and adored by the netizens.She announced her visit to Dhaka on her Facebook page earlier this month.Released in 2014, Otilia’s globally popular track ‘Bilionera’ currently stands with over 560 million views on YouTube, making her internationally famous.
Bangladeshi filmmakers receive grant from British Council for portraying climate change stories
A total of four young filmmakers, two from Bangladesh and two from Wales, have recently been selected during an online workshop, organized by Dhaka DocLab in collaboration with Wales One World Film Festival and funded by the British Council’s International Collaboration Grants, on climate change stories.
After completion of these projects, these four films will be premiered at the Wales One World Film Festival in Wales, UK in March 2023 , said a media release on Sunday.