entertainment
Lyricist-astrologer Kausar Ahmed Chowdhury in ICU
Popular lyricist and astrologer Kausar Ahmed Chowdhury who is currently undergoing treatment at Dhanmondi Clinic, Green Road in the capital, has been shifted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as his condition deteriorated.
The 75-year old celebrity astrologer is battling with multiple health complications and B(+) Positive blood is urgently required for his treatment, according to a Facebook post shared by popular singer-composer Bappa Mazumder on Friday afternoon.
Kausar has been suffering from multiple health problems for a long time, including kidney problems coupled with blood infection. Besides, he has suffered two strokes.
Read:Lata Mangeshkar: India's Legendary Singing Diva
As a celebrated astrologer, Kausar Ahmed Chowdhury has been a household name for years because of his Prothom Alo horoscope readings.
He has written several famous song lyrics for well-known singers and bands such as LRB, Miles, Samina Chowdhury, Lucky Akhand, Niaz Mohammad Chowdhury, and many more.
"Kobita Porar Prohor," "Jekhaney Shimanto Tomar," "Rupali Guitar," "Aaj Ei Brishtir Kanna Dekhe" are some of his most popular songs.
All Of Us Are Dead: Review of Zombie Apocalypse Show on Netflix
When it comes to a Zombie apocalypse, the long-running show “Walking Dead” already set the bar high. But recently Koreans have taken things up a notch by consistently producing some nitty-gritty zombie horror shows. Whether it’s the “Train to Busan” or “Kingdom” on Netflix, Kdrama has a way with zombie storytelling that is equal parts gory and exciting.
To make matters more blood splattering and bone-shattering, there is a new zombie apocalypse series on Netflix titled “All Of Us Are Dead”. And moving on from a Train and middle age Korea, we now have zombies running around in a high school. There has been a considerable buzz with the series since its release on January 28th, 2022. So, is the show any good or just another generic zombie gorefest? And more importantly, is it worth watching? Let’s find out.
Read Netflix Web Series Decoupled Review
Plot Synopsis
Before Kpop and BTS became a thing, the world witnessed the first Korean Wave some two decades ago. It started with the romantic drama called “Winter Sonata” which took the then world by storm. But it also largely contrasts to what Korean drama has evolved to over the years, a perfect example being the likes of “Squid Game”, “The Silent Sea” and “All of Us Are Dead”. Each of these shows follows an entirely different route yet somehow excels in their craft with masterful tact.
Coming back to the series here, the pilot episode opens in Hyosan High, a suburban school nestled in the mountains. Everything looks straight out of a teenage rom-com set in a high school in the first part of the episode. However, things quickly start to unravel as one girl is bitten by a feisty mouse in the school’s science lab.
Read Free Online Movies: Best Netflix Alternatives for Streaming Movies in 2021
What follows is a chain reaction of a mutated virus spreading from one person to the other. And by the time the pilot ends, the entire school is infected. What’s amazing here is how quickly the director changes the pace and hooks the viewer to the plotline.
Much of the pilot can be drawn parallel to the current world as it faces the pandemic. The battle to survive a deadly virus as it spreads like a wildfire seems eerily real given the current scenario. What catches up here is the emotional juggernaut and social issues that become prominent from the get-go, another parallel to this world as it dreads the pandemic.
Read Bulbbul Netflix Review: Feminist Tale of Revenge and Honor
Sarika ties the knot again!
Popular Bangladeshi actress Sarika Sabrin has tied the knot with a textile engineer.
Sarika took to social media platform Twitter on Wednesday to share the news of her marriage with B Ahmed Rahi on February 2.
The wedding ceremony was held in the presence of the members of the two families, she said, seeking blessings from all for her new life.
Farooki’s "No Land’s Man" wins Prix du Public award in France
Acclaimed filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki's first international language film “No Land’s Man” won the coveted Prix du Public (fiction film audience) award at the 28th Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema in France on Tuesday.
Farooki shared the news on his Facebook page on Wednesday from France where he was attending the screening of his film and the award ceremony.
“No Land’s Man has been my most special! Tonight this special film won Prix du Public at Vesoul film festival. This award is for my big fat team from three continents! Love you all! Can’t wait for the audience to see the film. Hopefully soon!,” Farooki wrote.
The first screening of “No Land’s Man” was held at this festival last Saturday. However, Farooki could join the second screening on Sunday. He also took part in a live Q&A session after the screening.
The central theme of the film is circulated around the misery of a third-world human being's existential crisis in different settings.
Acclaimed Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui plays the lead role in the film, alongside popular Bangladeshi singer-actor Tahsan Khan, the debutant Megan Mitchell from Australia, and Isha Chopra, Vikram Kochhar and Kiran Khoje from India.
Read: Curtain rises on ‘Coke Studio Bangla’ with Arnob in all-important producer's seat
The joint venture by the US company Dialectic and Bangladesh's Chabial, in association with India's Magic If Films, Bangladesh's Sun Music & Motion Pictures, and Bongo BD, “No Land’s Man” has also teamed up with the Oscar-BAFTA-Grammy-famed world-famous Indian composer AR Rahman for its music production.
Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, Anjan Chowdhury, Nusrat Imrose Tisha, Shrihari Sathe, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, A R Rahman, and Faridur Reza Sagar are the executive producers of the film.
'No Land's Man' is the second film of Farooki's identity trilogy, with 'Shonibar Bikel' (Saturday Afternoon) being the first one.
Alongside “No Land’s Man,” the festival’s fiction film audience award was also shared by Reza Dormishian’s Iranian film “No Choice”.
The 2022 Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema began on February 2 and concluded on February 8.
Zhang Lu’s “Yanagawa” (China) won the Golden Cyclo, the festival’s top prize awarded by the international jury, while South Korean filmmaker Hong Sung-Eun's “Aloners” won the international jury prize and the Netpac jury award.
Curtain rises on ‘Coke Studio Bangla’ with Arnob in all-important producer's seat
State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid said on Monday that music was one of the main and influential sources of inspiration for the Bengali nation in various democratic movements, including the Language Movement of 1952 and the great Liberation War of 1971.
The minister was speaking as the special guest at the launching ceremony of ‘Coke Studio Bangla,’ which will be the local adaptation of the widely-acclaimed platform for fusion music that started in Pakistan.in the early 2000s. Monday night's launch was organized by Coca-Cola Bangladesh in the ballroom of the Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden.
“February is the month of our glorious Language Movement, and our enriched musical heritage is widely revered by music enthusiasts around the world. I believe Coca-Cola Bangladesh's debut of the 'Coke Studio Bangla' platform, the Bengali version of 'Coke Studio' for Bengali speakers in many nations across the world, including Bangladesh, is an amazing initiative in this glorious month,” the minister said at the event.
Highlighting the popularity of Coke Studio for its fusion songs, he added, “I believe that 'Coke Studio Bangla' will become more popular worldwide than the way ‘Coke Studio’ has gained popularity in different countries of the world, including our neighbouring country India. We are hopeful that this wonderful platform will further uphold the glory of our diverse collection of songs."
READ: Lata Mangeshkar: India's Legendary Singing Diva
State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak also spoke as the special guest on the occasion, while Coca-Cola Bangladesh Managing Director Ta Duy Tung delivered the welcome speech.
Popular singer-composer and music producer of ‘Coke Studio Bangla’ Shayan Chowdhury Arnob, singer-actor and Coca-Cola Bangladesh’s brand ambassador Tahsan Khan, folk-icon and Member of Parliament Momtaz Begum, and other popular music stars including Bappa Mazumder, Ankhi Alamgir and others also joined the gala launching event of the world-famous musical fusion programme.
The ‘Coke Studio Bangla’ Season 1 theme song "Ekla Cholo" was also premiered at the event, simultaneously released at Coke Studio Bangla’s Facebook and YouTube platforms. The song is a beautiful fusion rendition of Bengali Polymath Rabindranath Tagore’s popular song “Jodi Tor Daak Shune Keu Na Ashe,” Baul singer Gagan Harkara's famous song "Ami Kothay Pabo Tare" and popular band Shironamhin’s cult hit song “Tumi Cheye Achho Tai,” performed by Arnob, Bappa Mazumder, Samina Chowdhury, Momtaz, Kona, Pantha Kanai, Rituraj, Masha, Mizan, Boga Taleb, Sheikh Ishtiaque and more. The inaugural event was then followed by musical performances by the project's participants.
Coke Studio's first season will premiere in mid-February, featuring a total of ten tracks. Music enthusiasts will be able to enjoy the fusion performances on Coca-Cola Bangladesh's official Facebook page, YouTube channel and Spotify.
HC stays decision cancelling Zayed Khan's candidacy
The High Court on Monday stayed the decision of the Appellate Board revoking the candidacy of Zayed Khan in the Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association election.
The HC bench of Justice Mamnoon Rahman and Khandaker Diliruzzaman passed the order following a writ petition filed by Zayed Khan challenging the validity of the decision of the Election Appellate Board.
The court also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why the decision to cancel his candidacy should not be announced illegal.
Besides, the court asked Zayed Khan to continue his activities as general secretary,said advocate Ahsanul Karim.
Advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun, Advocate Ahsanul Karim and Advocate Nahid Sultana Zuthi stood for Zayed Khan and Barrister Rokon Uddin Mahmud was present on behalf of actress Nipun while Deputy Attorney General Bipul Bagmar represented the state.
Read: Zayed Khan loses gen secy post, Nipun back
The court also fixed February 15 for the rule hearing.
Earlier on Saturday, the Election Appellate Board decided to remove Zayed from the post of general secretary of the association over the allegations that he had resorted to irregularities in the association’s recent election.
Sohanur Rahman Sohan, chairman of the Appellate Board, announced the decision at the FDC on Saturday evening.
Earlier, the election of the artistes’ association was held on January 28.
Zayed was declared winner in the general secretary post defeating Nipun in a close contest. It was his third consecutive win.
Lata Mangeshkar: India's Legendary Singing Diva
Lata Mangeshkar is one of the most celebrated singers of all time in India. Her career spans over six decades and she has sung in more than thirty-six different languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, Gujarati, Bengali, Assamese, and Urdu. During her eventful career, Lata sang more than 20,000 songs. Legendary vocalist Lata Mangeshkar's life came to an end at 92 years on February 6, 2022. This article will take you through a glimpse of her eventful life and career.
Early Life
Lata Mangeshkar was born at Indore in Madhya Pradesh under India on September 28, 1929. She was the eldest of the five children of Deenanath Mangeshkar, a renowned Marathi and Konkani singer, and his wife, Shevanti. From an early age, Lata showed a great interest in music and began learning to sing from her father. She started singing at the age of five and made her first public appearance at the age of nine. Her journey as a professional singer started at the age of 13.
Read Lata Mangeshkar: Tributes abound from cultural arena for 'India's Nightingale'
Career
Lata Mangeshkar started her career in 1942, singing Marathi songs. In 1947, she sang for the first Hindi movie. She sang the song 'Pa Lagu Kar Jori' in Basant Joglekar's 'Aap Ki Sewa Mein'. Two years later, composer Ghulam Haider gave him his first big chance. After that, she continued singing. Known as the 'Nightingale of India', Lata Mangeshkar has sung nearly 30,000 songs in 36 Indian languages in her more than half-century-long career.
When Lata was only 13 years old (1942), Deennath Mangeshkar died of a heart attack. As a result, the responsibility of the entire family fell on 13-year-old Lata.
Master Vinayak, the owner of Navajug Chitrapat Film Company, a friend of the family, came and stood beside the Mangeshkar family. As a child, Lata occasionally sang in movies. But Binayak advised her to take singing and acting as a career. However, her song 'Khelu Sari Money House Vari' sung in a Marathi film was dropped from the final cut of the film. Yet Lata did not give up.
Read Billionaire Singer Rihanna is Expecting her First Child with Rapper A$AP Rocky
Master Vinayak assigned a small character for Lata Mangeshkar in his film ‘Pahili Mangala-Gaur’. In this film, she sang the song 'Natali Chaitrachi Navalai' composed by Dada Chandekar. However, There was still a constant battle with her life. She has never been able to find a film career interesting. She focused on playback singing.
After Binayak's death, music director Ghulam Haider became Lata's guru. On his 84th birthday, she said, Ghulam Haider was the "godfather" of her life. Ghulam Haider took the opportunity to give a chance to Lata, she sang 'Dil Mera Tora, Mujhe Kahi Ka Na Chhora' in the movie 'Majboor' (1948). This one song forced the Bollywood industry to think about this new singer. The first big hit of her life was the song 'Aayega Aanewala' from the movie 'Mahal' (1949). Actress Madhubala synced her lips in this song.
That was just the beginning. Then hundreds of songs took the hearts of millions of people. She got appreciation from people from all sectors and achieved innumerable awards and titles. In the fifties, she sang with all the renowned music directors. In the sixties, she produced all-time famous songs like 'Peer Kiya To Darna Kya' or 'Ajib Dastan Hai Yeh' and more.
Read Akash Jure Megh on Bongo: Another Bangla adaptation of a Turkish hit TV series
Film Artistes Association: New committee led by Kanchan-Nipun takes oath
After a lot of controversies the newly elected committee of Bangladesh Film Artistes Association took oath at Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) premises on Sunday.
Former president of the committee Misha Sawdagor at first read out the oath for new president Ilias Kanchan at 5:45 pm. Later the new president read out the oaths for other members of the new committee.
The other committee members are actress Nipun Akter, general secretary, actor Symon Sadik, assistant general secretary, Shahnoor, organisational secretary, Mamnun Hasan Emon, cultural and sports affairs secretary and members of the technical committee Amit Hasan, Ferdous, Keya and others.
Also read: Ilias Kanchan is the new president of film artistes' body
Many famous faces of Bangladesh films like actor Alamgir, director Sohanur Rahman Sohan, Delwar Jahan Jhantu were present at the oath taking program.
On January 28 the election for 2022-2024 tenure of the association was held. Initially Ilias Kanchan was elected the president and Zayed Khan as general secretary.
After allegations of irregularities during the election were brought against Zayed Khan, he was removed from the post and Nipun was announced the new general secretary of the committee, even though he had won the contest between them at the ballot box, by 176 votes to 163.
Misha’s presence at the program was appreciated by all, meanwhile Zayed Khan was unhappy with the appeal board’s decision and vowed legal action against it. On Saturday, he said the new committee would not be allowed to take the oath as he, the outgoing general secretary, had to administer it.
Also read: Film Artistes Association election concludes at BFDC
Obviously he wasn't expecting Misha, his running mate through three elections, to do it in his place.
Zayed Khan loses gen secy post, Nipun back
Newly elected general secretary of Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association Zayed Khan has lost his position amid allegations that he resorted to irregularities in the association’s recent elections. Zayed’s main polls rival actress Nipun demanded a re-election in the post accusing him of buying votes with money.Based on the allegations, the Election Appellate Board has decided to remove Zayed from the post of general secretary of the association.Sohanur Rahman Sohan, chairman of the Appellate Board announced the decision at the FDC on Saturday evening.Earlier, the election of the artistes’ association was held on January 28.
Read: Pori Moni-Raaz enjoy hilsa at Mawa
Zayed was declared winner in general secretary post defeating Nipun in a close contest. It was his third consecutive win. However, Nipun complained that Zayed had “committed corruption” in the election.Nipun also held a press conference to explain her allegations. She also lodged a written complaint with the Election Appeal Board.Although Nipun took part in it, Zayed was absent. In his absence, Sohanur Rahman Sohan announced that Zayed’s candidacy has been rejected on allegations of election irregularities. Instead, the other candidate, Nipun, has won without contest.Zayed had been the general secretary of the Film Artistes’ Association for two consecutive terms.
Actor Ilias Kanchan was elected president in last month’s election.
Pori Moni-Raaz enjoy hilsa at Mawa
Actress Pori Moni and her husband 'No Dorai' famed Dhallywood actor Sariful Raaz were spotted hanging out at the most hyped place 'Mawa Ghat' for enjoying 'hilsa' fish in the early hours of Thursday.
Pori Moni has posted some pictures of different moments of Mawa tour on social media.
Read: Pori Moni-Raaz announces pregnancy
She told the media about their Mawa tour, "Raaz and I were quite feeling suffocated at home. So, I made a plan to go to Mawa in a hurry with some family friends."
"Raaz was also very happy. And after a long time I ate hilsa fish at Mawa."
Pori Moni and Raaz were in home isolation for a long time due to fever and cold. And so, they could not take part in the shooting. Pori Moni was not even seen in the recent Film Artistes Association election.
Pori Moni loves to hang out at night. Whenever she manages time, she gets out with her car.
"But now, I can't roam like before due to pregnancy,'' she said.
Read: Pori Moni appeals to HC for quashing charges under narcotic case
Pori Moni announced that she is expecting her first child with actor Sariful Raaz on their Facebook profiles on January 10.
The couple fell in love on the set of noted director Giasuddin Selim's upcoming film 'Gunin'. The actress has recently confirmed that the two got married secretly on October 17 last year.