Entertainment
Quota Protest: Actors, filmmakers, musicians express solidarity on social platforms
The ongoing student protest demanding quota reform took a wild turn on Tuesday, and popular celebrities from different sectors in the country’s entertainment industry took to social media to express their feelings on the nationwide chaotic situation.
Popular actors, filmmakers and social media personalities including actress Pori Moni, Tama Mirza, Shobnom Bubly, Puja Cherry, Jessia Islam, Rukaiya Jahan Chamak, actor Siam Ahmed, Nasir Uddin Khan, Salman Mohammad Muqtadir, Niloy Alamgir, Khairul Basar, Irfan Sazzad, content creator Iftekhar Rafsan, filmmakers including Raihan Rafi, Asfaque Nipun, Khijir Hayat Khan, Fakhrul Arefeen Khan, Redoan Rony, Shihab Shaheen, cartoonist Morshed Mishu, author-publisher Mohammad Nazimuddin and many others expressed their anger, solidarity and hopefulness regarding the quota reform protest.
Besides, several celebrated music stars including music director Prince Mahmud, lyricist-writer-poet Latiful Islam Shibly, singer Tasrif Khan, Ahmed Hasan Sunny, Zunayed Evan, Sina Hasan, Mac Haque, Ziaur Rahman and others, to name a few; alongside popular bands including Ashes, Indalo, Nemesis, Kaaktaal, Shohojia, Shonar Bangla Circus and many more showcased their support for the protesting students and the deceased amid the chaos of Tuesday.
A particular image of a female bloodied Dhaka University student shivering in fear after being brutally beaten during the quota reform clash went viral on social media. Sharing the image, Pori Moni wrote: "If you remain silent about violence against women, you are a hypocrite."
“Live with backbone, as long as you live” - this was written on a Facebook post on July 15 by Abu Sayed, a student of the English Department at the Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur and one of the organisers of the quota reform movement who was killed on Tuesday during a clash between police and protesters seeking quota reform on the campus.
Prominent director Ashfaque Nipun reposted that quote, adding: “Let’s live with the backbone as long we live.”
Model and actress Jessia Islam wrote: “I stand with the students of Bangladesh in their protest against the reinstatement of the quota system in government jobs, advocating for a fair and merit-based selection process.”
Singer-musician and Bangla Five vocalist Sina Hasan wrote: “As an artist, I boycott the "Joy Bangla" concert. May I never be invited as an artist or audience to this concert, and if the other members of my band don't agree, I won't hesitate to leave Bangla Five, even though my bandmates don't have that possibility at all.”
YouTuber and social media celebrity Salman Muqtadir, known for his bold personality and sharp-tongued statements, offered necessary accommodation and assistance to protesting and affected students. Screengrabs of him personally helping in such contexts have gone viral and are being appreciated among the netizens.
Another popular YouTuber Iftekhar Rafsan, better known as 'Rafsan the Chotobhai' - wrote: "Campuses are supposed to be safe places for the students. Ours have been turned into battlefields which should never have happened in the first place. Unacceptable! This must stop now. We must remember that we are humans first, May Allah protect everyone."
Several of these celebrities have also either changed the profile pictures of their respective profiles and pages or shared cartons-caricatures, in solidarity with the ongoing quota reform protest of the students.
Most Hyped South Indian Movies Releasing in August 2024
South Indian films draw in audiences with their vivid narratives, cultural vibrancy, and a spellbinding fusion of timeless traditions with modern storytelling. Each release from the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada film industries promises authenticity and innovation, whether in thrillers, comedies, fantasies, or actions. Fans eagerly await their favorite pan-Indian stars to watch on screen, drawn by their charisma and epic dialogues. As teasers and trailers generate excitement, let's explore the highly anticipated lineup of South Indian films premiering in August 2024.
Top 12 South Indian Movies Set to Rock This August
Viraaji | Telugu Horror | August 02, 2024
Starring Pramodhini and Varun Sandesh, this horror film unfolds an eerie tale set in Visakhapatnam. Furthermore, the ‘Viraaji’ film’s castline includes Kota Jayaram, Kushalini Pulapa, and Raghu Karumanchi.
Adyanth Harsha directed this film. A film producer, stand-up comedian, doctor, and pre-wedding photographer gather for a Sanmanam event hosted by a celebrity astrologer.
Read more: Sreelekha Mitra’s ‘Kolkata Diaries’ set to premiere July 18 on Bongo
Double iSmart | Telugu Sci-fi | August 15, 2024
Helmed by Puri Jagannadh, who co-produced the film with Charmy Kaur, this action film serves as a spiritual sequel to ‘iSmart Shankar’(2019). The story follows an assassin whose brain is implanted with the memories of a deceased police officer.
‘Double iSmart’ stars Sanjay Dutt and Ram Pothineni in the lead roles, supported by Kavya Thapar, Sayaji Shinde, Bani J, Getup Srinu, Ali, Makarand Deshpande, and Uttej.
The movie is set to release on Independence Day in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada languages.
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Saripodhaa Sanivaaram | Telugu Action Thriller | August 29, 2024
The title of the vigilante thriller movie, directed and written by Vivek Athreya, translates as ‘Is Saturday not enough?’.
The film chronicles a man bestowed with supernatural powers exclusively on Saturdays.
Starring Priyanka Mohan and Nani in pivotal roles, 'Saripodhaa Sanivaaram' also features Aditi Balan, Subhalekha Sudhakar, S. J. Suryah, and Sai Kumar.
This film is releasing in Telugu, with dubbed versions in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi, all titled 'Surya's Saturday'.
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Boat | Tamil Thriller | August 02, 2024
Directed and written by Chimbudeven, the movie stars Yogi Babu, Gouri Kishan, M.S. Bhaskar, Sha Ra, Kulappulli Leela, and Chinnijayanth.
The narrative centers on a small boat carrying ten individuals escaping bombings, abruptly halting and sinking mid-journey, compelling its passengers to fight for survival.
Thangalaan | Tamil Historical Fantasy | August 15, 2024
The title of this fantasy action movie translates to ‘The Son of Gold’. This upcoming Tamil movie is directed by Pa. Ranjith, who also contributed to the writing and production.
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Set during the British Raj, the movie revolves around Thangalaan, a formidable tribal leader, and his tribe aiding Lord Clement, a British General, in their quest for gold in their village. As they search for the gold, the villagers incur the wrath of Aarathi, a formidable sorceress, prompting Thangalaan to confront her with all his strength.
‘Thangalaan’ stars Vikram in the titular role, supported by Malavika Mohanan, Daniel Caltagirone, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Hari Krishnan Anbudurai, Sampath Ram, Vettai Muthukumar, and Arjun Anbudan.
Raghu Thatha | Tamil Comedy | August 15, 2024
The film humorously chronicles the journey of Kayalvizhi, a spirited young woman torn between her principles and patriarchal pressures. Besides writing the screenplay, Suman Kumar debuts as a director with this film.
Read more: Top 12 South Indian Films Releasing in July 2024
‘Raghu Thatha’ stars Keerthy Suresh, Devadarshini, MS Bhaskar, Ravindra Vijay, Jayakumar, Aadhira Pandilakshmi, Rajesh Balachandira, Anandsami, Ismath Banu, Rajeev Ravindranath, and Janaki.
Sreelekha Mitra’s ‘Kolkata Diaries’ set to premiere July 18 on Bongo
Bangladesh's digital platform Bongo has announced the upcoming release of the new film "Kolkata Diaries," featuring popular actress Sreelekha Mitra.
Alongside Sreelekha, the film stars renowned actresses Darshana Banik, Shantilal Mukherjee, and Sifat Amin Shubho.
Directed by Rashed Raha, "Kolkata Diaries" is set to premiere exclusively on Bongo's OTT platform on July 18th, marking its first release without a prior theatrical debut.
The trailer for the film was recently released on Bongo's Facebook page.
The trailer reveals that Anamika is a successful female entrepreneur who has built an empire.
She befriends her employee Shormi and Shormi’s friend PK, a Bangladeshi boy. Despite the friendship, PK has a hidden agenda. To uncover his motives, viewers will have to watch "Kolkata Diaries" on July 18th.
Director Rashed Raha describes the film as a unique tale of love, friendship, and betrayal. "Kolkata Diaries is a story about relationships," he says. "It highlights the trust, love, and tensions in small relationships. I hope the audience will enjoy the film."
Mushfiqur Rahman Manzu, Bongo's chief content officer, shared his excitement about the film: “Kolkata Diaries is a new movie by director Rashed Raha. Previously, his web series ‘Dome’ was released on our platform. This new film is a collaborative effort between Bangladesh and India. We found the story captivating, so we decided to bring it exclusively to Bongo for the first time. We believe our audience will love it.”
"Kolkata Diaries" marks the return of actress Sreelekha Mitra to Bangladeshi cinema after a long time and this film is the first Bangladeshi movie for actress Darshana Banik.
The film will be available for streaming on the Bongo app and website starting July 18th.
Shannen Doherty, ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ star, dies at 53
Shannen Doherty, the “Beverly Hills, 90210” star whose life and career were roiled by illness and tabloid stories, has died at 53.
Doherty died Saturday, according to a statement from her publicist, Leslie Sloane. She had had breast cancer for years.
“The devoted daughter, sister, aunt and friend was surrounded by her loved ones as well as her dog, Bowie. The family asks for their privacy at this time so they can grieve in peace,” Sloane said in a statement. The news was first reported by People magazine.
Her illness was publicly revealed in a lawsuit filed in 2015 against her former business managers, in which she alleged they mismanaged her money and allowed her health insurance to lapse. She later shared intimate details of her treatment following a single mastectomy. In December 2016, she posted a photo of her first day of radiation, calling the treatment "frightening" for her.
In February 2020, Doherty revealed that the cancer had returned and she was at stage four. She said she came forward because her health conditions could come out in court. The actor had sued insurance giant State Farm after her California home was damaged in a fire in 2018.
A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Doherty moved to Los Angeles with her family at age 7 and, within a few years, became an actor.
“It was completely my decision,” she told The Associated Press in a 1994 interview. “My parents never pushed me into anything. They support me. It really wouldn’t matter if I was a professional soccer player — they’d still be as supportive and loving.”
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As a child star, she worked steadily in such TV series as “Little House on the Prairie,” in which she played Jenny Wilder. She detoured as a teenager to the big screen in “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” (1985) and “Heathers.”
In 1990, the doe-eyed, dark-haired actor won her breakout role as Brenda Walsh in producer Aaron Spelling’s hit teenage melodrama set in posh Beverly Hills. She and Jason Priestley’s Brandon, Brenda’s twin brother, were fish-out-of-water Midwesterners.
But Doherty’s fame came with media scrutiny and accounts of outbursts, drinking and impulsiveness — the latter most notably after a very brief marriage to George Hamilton’s son.
She left “90210” at the end of its fourth season in 1994 (the show aired until 2000), reportedly removed by Spelling because of conflicts with her co-stars and chronic lateness.
But in her 1994 AP interview, Doherty described her life as peaceful.
“It must be, if you pick up the Enquirer and find the only thing they can write about me is that I installed a pay phone next to my house and was seen at Stroud’s (a discount bed-and-bath chain) buying $1,400 worth of bed linens and wouldn’t go to an expensive store,” she said. “It must be calm if they’re pulling that stuff out of their heads.”
Three years later, in 1997, Doherty was sentenced to anger-management counseling by a Beverly Hills Municipal Court judge after she allegedly smashed a beer bottle onto a man’s windshield during a quarrel. In another legal scrape, she pleaded no contest after a 2001 drunken driving arrest and was ordered to serve five days in a work-release program.
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Doherty reunited with Spelling when he cast her in 1998 as Prue Halliwell in “Charmed.” In an AP interview that year, the actor expressed regrets about her past.
“I did bring a lot of it on myself,” Doherty said. “I don’t think I can point fingers and say, ‘Oh, YOU’RE to blame.’ And I don’t do that with myself, either. Because I was just growing up.”
Her personality was “grotesquely misconstrued” by the media, Doherty added.
Spelling said at the time that their relationship was never as bad as some made it seem.
“We had a few bumps along the road, but golly, who doesn’t?” said Spelling, who died in 2006. “Everything Shannen did was blown out of proportion by the rag sheets.”
Doherty co-starred with Holly Marie Combs and Alyssa Milano in “Charmed” from 1998-2001, at which point her character was replaced by one played by Rose McGowan. Doherty appeared in the “90210” sequel series seven years later, along with original series star Jennie Garth, and competed on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2010. She also worked on the third “Beverly Hills, 90210” reboot, called “BH90210,” a meta send-up of the show that aired for one season in 2019.
Doherty struggled to recapture her “Beverly Hills, 90210” star status, but worked in big-screen films including “Mallrats” and “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” and in such TV movies as “A Burning Passion: The Margaret Mitchell Story,” in which she played the “Gone with the Wind” author. A nadir was “Blindfold: Acts of Obsession,” an erotic thriller opposite Judd Nelson.
Darrell Christian, former AP managing editor and sports editor, dies at 75
Doherty's lawsuit against her ex-business managers was settled in 2016. She was open about the toll that cancer was taking on her. She posted photos that showed the baldness that followed treatment and, in an August 2016 interview with “Entertainment Tonight,” shared her fears.
“The unknown is always the scariest part,” she said. “Is the chemo going to work? Is the radiation going to work?” she said. “Pain is manageable, you know living without a breast is manageable, it’s the worry of your future and how your future is going to affect the people that you love.”
Doherty’s second marriage, in 2002, was to Rick Salomon, who was involved in a sex-tape incident with Paris Hilton. The marriage was annulled within a year. In 2011, Doherty married photographer Kurt Iswarienko. She filed for divorce in April 2023.
Case dismissed against Alec Baldwin in fatal shooting of cinematographer
A nearly three-year legal saga for Alec Baldwin in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer ended Friday without a verdict but with tears of relief for the actor and a small coterie of family who had settled into a somber daily routine on wooden benches inside a windowless New Mexico courtroom at trial.
In the morning, 16 jurors had filed into the courtroom for a third day of scrawling notes and listening with steepled hands to testimony in the involuntary manslaughter trial against Baldwin in the 2021 shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, only to be released for the day as the trail took an unscheduled detour.
Prosecutors dismiss Alec Baldwin charge, citing new evidence
“Have a great weekend,” Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer said.
Outside the jury's view, the criminal case against Baldwin was teetering as defense attorney's for Baldwin accused local investigators and prosecutors of concealing evidence that might shed light on the unconfirmed origin of live ammunition on the set of “Rust.”
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It was Baldwin's fifth day in court. He arriving each morning in a black SUV with his wife, Hilaria Baldwin, to a phalanx of outdoor media cameras. Inside the courtroom Monday, at the start, an energetic Baldwin whispered to an attorney, scrawled on a legal pad and passed post-it notes to his legal team.
The defense won an early victory as the judge ruled Baldwin could not be held criminally liable for his role as co-producer on “Rust." The case would focus on Baldwin's handling of a gun as lead actor.
Alec Baldwin to be charged with manslaughter in set shooting
Come Tuesday, the defendant's younger brother, Stephen Baldwin, arrived in the back of the courtroom for jury selections. He would return each day, all day. Among a pool of 70 potential jurors, all but three were familiar with the “Rust” shooting case. By day's end, a jury of five men and 11 woman were seated for trial.
For opening statements Wednesday, the courtroom was packed to capacity, with half of the gallery reserved for news media, from local network TV to the Times of London, and a few designated photographers. Attorneys and the public filled the other half, some friends and relatives of Baldwin along with local curiosity seekers and traveling amateur trial afficionados.
Seated in court, Baldwin trained his eyes downward on a notepad, away from the jury as prosecutors gave opening statements and overhead video monitors show the aftermath of the fatal shooting at a movie set ranch.
Prosecutors said Baldwin violated the cardinal rules of firearm safety in pointing a real gun toward Hutchins while playing make believe. Defense attorneys argued Baldwin was just doing his job as an actor, reasonably relying on other professional to ensure gun safety, though with tragic consequences.
Baldwin’s older sister, Elizabeth Keuchler, shed tears in court as the statements unfolded. She greeted her brother with an embrace across a courtroom banister and would sit close behind him thereafter.
A prominent critic of Baldwin also took her seat in the front of the court gallery: victims' rights attorney Gloria Allred, who is representing the sister and parents of Hutchins in a civil trial seeking damages.
Baldwin's every expression at trial registered on a video feed of the trial transmitted by CourtTV and The Associated Press. There was a restrained and attentive gaze during a first full day of witness testimony Wednesday from the A-list actor with a decades-long career in films and television, from “The Hunt for Red October” to “30 Rock” and as a fixture on “Saturday Night Live.”
Baldwin darted from the courtroom once, but otherwise paced slowly and deliberately through the courtroom and the courthouse, where impromptu interviews and photographs were prohibited.
On Friday afternoon, Baldwin’s outward demeanor changed little, but tension was building in the courtroom, where Marlowe Sommer weighed a motion to dismiss the case and probed revelations that investigators failed to disclose the receipt of ammunition in March by a man who said it could be related to Hutchins' death.
Prosecutors said they deemed the ammunition unrelated and unimportant, while Baldwin’s lawyers alleged they “buried” it.
During an afternoon break, Baldwin took deep, measured breaths as he walked painstakingly from the courtroom. The air whistled slightly as he breathed out with lips pursed. Hilaria Baldwin took his arm and rubbed his back as they paced the hallway.
Back inside, the audience chuckled as defense attorney Alex Spiro sparred with the ammunition supplier for “Rust," Seth Kenney, who had forged a cooperative relationship with investigators in the aftermath of the shooting.
But the courtroom fell silent amid the clatter of laptop keyboards as the judge questioned a sheriff’s detective about the decision to place the ammunition in an evidence file, separate from the “Rust” shooting case, and whether lead prosecutor Kari Morrissey knew about that.
“When you say that there were discussions and the decision was made by all of you to put that ammo in a separate file, was Ms. Morrissey part of that discussion?” Marlowe Sommer said.
“Yes,” the detective responded.
The case was collapsing. The courtroom gasped as Morrissey acknowledge her co-prosecutor had just resigned.
Tears welled in Baldwin's eyes, followed by sobbing, as the judge outlined her decision: “The sanction of dismissal is warranted in this case."
“A kiss over bribe”: Nachiketa’s social message to Dhaka audience
Popular Indian musician Nachiketa Chakraborty, who always talks about love and life with strong social messages through his songs, spent an evening with music lovers in Dhaka, conveying that it is better to “kiss someone with love instead of taking bribes.”
“I personally believe that a kiss is better than bribe. Does it sound vulgar?” — asked Nachiketa while engaging with the audience through his songs at Hatirjheel Amphitheatre last night.
Seeing a huge crowd and loud voices soon after his entry on the stage, the multi-dimensional singer, lyricist and composer of extraordinary caliber said, “That’s the spirit of Bangladesh.”
The music lovers in the city were worried about the rain interrupting their chances of experiencing the melodious performances of the musical maestros but the show that also saw participation of renowned artists Arnob, Armeen Musa and Ahmed Hasan Sunny, ended without any interruption.
The concert, titled "Dhaka Melancholy", was organised by Blue Brick Communications.
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As planned, film star and lawmaker Ferdous Ahmed, landing in Dhaka from Singapore, entered the venue when Nachiketa was performing. When Nachiketa invited him to join him on stage, Ferdous said, “Nachiketa is very dear to me. I’m seeing you after a long time. This is the first time we are together on stage in Dhaka. It's like a sudden rain.”
“This is one of the best moments for me. I am very emotional,” he said, sharing memories of his debut in films with the movie “Hothat Brishti” directed by Basu Chatterjee in 1998. Nachiketa composed songs for the film.
Talking about Ferdous’ changed role, Nachiketa in a humorous mood said, “Tai Bole Politics?”
“If we all avoid politics, who will come forward? We will do good work for the society as described in your songs,” Ferdous said, seeking blessings from the singer.
Nachiketa, who is a well-known name in both Bangladesh and India, said he has become what he always wanted to be as he began his hit song “Ambition”. The lyrics goes “Someone wants to be a doctor, someone an engineer, someone wants to be a businessman or a barrister…..I will be a vagabond, that is my ambition.”
He also sang the song which describes a father’s desire to see his son as a minister, and narrated through the song how politics is a way of making money for some people.
Nachiketa, however, said this was not related to Bangladesh as he claimed he does not know about the situation here.
Fiha Rahman, a dental college student, who came with her elder sister, said she felt fortunate to have an opportunity to listen to Nachiketa live for the first time.
“I can tell you, he penned and sang for all generations. His songs carry important social messages, he talks about life and love,” she told UNB.
Read more: Booming Turkish TV drama industry captures hearts and minds worldwide and boosts tourism
Roudro who joined the show with his wife said this was a lifetime experience to listen to Nachiketa live. “We are hugely influenced by his powerful songs.”
Nachiketa at the end sang a song which gives everyone hope for a positive change. The lyrics of the song goes “One day the storm will stop, the world will be peaceful again, homes will reemerge, the sky will be filled with light, and all outdated doctrines will be history.”
Arnob was the last singer of the concert who wrapped it up with his iconic song, “Shey je boshe ache.”
Nachiketa will also perform at KIB Auditorium, Dhaka on July 26.
Booming Turkish TV drama industry captures hearts and minds worldwide and boosts tourism
Under the sweltering Turkish sun, tourists wander through sets that recreate Ottoman and Byzantine-era castles, take selfies with actors in traditional Ottoman costumes and watch horseback stunt performances. Among them is Riia Toivanen, 22, a devoted fan of Turkish television drama who traveled to Istanbul from Finland with her mother to delve into the realm of her beloved shows.
Some 8,000 miles (12,800 kilometers) across the globe in Villa Carlos Paz in Argentina, 66-year-old retired teacher Raquel Greco watches an episode of a Turkish romantic comedy, surrounded by memorabilia from her once-in-a-lifetime trip to Istanbul where she visited landmarks she knew from years of watching Turkish shows.
“It seemed to me that I was dreaming, I couldn't believe I was living what I saw every day in the series,” she said of her visit in April this year.
The global popularity of Turkish TV dramas -- or dizi in Turkish -- has thrust Turkey into the position of a leading exporter of television, greatly bolstering the nation’s international image and drawing millions of viewers and tourists worldwide to its historical and cultural sites which are backdrops to many of the shows.
The success of television shows has fueled a burgeoning billion-dollar industry that continues to expand into new markets, experts say. The popularity of these shows is also greatly enhancing Turkey’s soft power on a global scale.
Between 2020 and 2023, the global demand for Turkish series increased by 184%, positioning Turkey as one of the biggest exporters of TV shows around the world, according to Parrot Analytics, a research company.
“We reach over 400 million viewers every night around the world,” said Izzet Pinto, CEO of Global Agency, which exports Turkish dramas to world markets. “The soft power we create with Turkish dramas cannot be even compared to what could be done in politics."
Although “Deli Yurek” was the first Turkish series to be exported — to Kazakhstan in 2001 — it was the 2005 romantic series “Gumus” that catapulted Turkish dizis to global fame. The series, which revolves around a woman from a traditional background adapting to urban life, became immensely popular in the Middle East.
“A Thousand and One Nights,” a 2006 romantic drama loosely based on the collection of Middle Eastern folktales and set in modern-day Istanbul, captivated audiences in the Balkans. "Magnificent Century," based on the 16th-century Ottoman Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, led the way for historical fiction.
Once an importer of Latin American telenovelas, Turkey is now exporting its dramas to the region. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro visited the set of the historical drama series “Resurrection: Ertugrul” in 2018, highlighting the appeal of the dizi in his nation.
Haley Uganadi, the founder of the Turkish TV series fan platform “Dizilah,” says the popularity of the dramas comes from themes that focus on family, friendship, and love, usually set against the backdrop of luxurious lifestyles in Istanbul or Turkey's rich history.
“They offer something for everyone, regardless of where you are from. Watching Turkish dramas, I see reflections of my mom, myself, and my siblings,” Uganadi said.
Her platform receives about 1.5 million viewers monthly, with fans from the United States, Canada, Greece, India, and Pakistan.
Pinto points to the family-oriented nature of Turkish dramas. “There’s no nudity, no cursing or bad words, not much hate. So, this becomes watchable by the family,” he explains.
As the industry grows, it is expanding the themes of its series, such as “Red Roses,” which explores the dynamics between a staunchly secular Western-oriented family and a fictional Islamic brotherhood.
During a lull in filming, actor Ozcan Deniz, who previously starred in series such as “The Mansion with Vines” and “Bride of Istanbul,” said this diversification was essential if the industry is to flourish.
“Countries that were not able to transform (into) a different genre are now lagging behind in the export of series,” Deniz said. “Turkey has now caught this momentum, but if it cannot diversify, if it cannot also tell different things, it will end somewhere.”
Toivanen and her mother were touring Bozdag Film Studios, a vast complex in northern Istanbul, where historical Ottoman-era blockbusters like “Resurrection: Ertugrul” and “Foundation: Osman” were shot.
Toivanen says her love of the romantic dramas “Black Money Love” and “Endless Love” brought her to Istanbul. “I like Turkish culture very much,” she said. ”(The series are) very friendly and warm, and there is a lot of drama going on.”
The first episode of “Resurrection: Ertugrul” had over 157 million views on the Urdu-language YouTube channel of Turkish state broadcaster TRT, said producer and screenwriter Mehmet Bozdag, who created the popular historical dramas that fictionalize the lives of Ottoman leaders and heroes. “Foundation: Osman” was broadcast in over 110 countries, he said.
During its run, “Resurrection: Ertugrul” peaked as the fourth most in-demand show worldwide in May 2020, with demand more than 68 times that of the average show worldwide, according to Parrot Analytics.
Dr. Deniz Gurgen Atalay, assistant professor of film and TV at Bahcesehir University in Istanbul, says the industry generated $1 billion in 2023 from overseas exports and has an important impact on tourism, especially in Istanbul.
“The TV series sector has a huge share in this. The image of Istanbul presented by the series, the food eaten here, the drinks drunk, the music listened to, the living standards, and the culture here offer a very pleasant place of appreciation within the framework of the series,.” Atalay said.
Mert Yazicioglu, another star of “Red Roses,” whose eagerly anticipated second season is set to premiere in late September, was clad in the attire of his character, a member of an Islamic sect, when he took a break from filming to chat.
The series has propelled the soft-spoken 31-year-old to stardom, with Turkey’s media tracking his every footstep.
“We have introduced Turkish culture abroad. That makes us very happy,” he said, wearing his character's baggy beige trousers and matching waistcoat.
Drama ‘Kanta’ exploring corruption and consequences to be released Friday
Bongo, a digital entertainment platform, is set to release its latest original drama, ‘Kanta’ (The Thorn), tomorrow, July 12.
Written and directed by Riyad Mahmud, ‘Kanta’ explores the pervasive issue of corruption in everyday offices, focusing on the story of a clerk who misuses his position for personal gain.
The recently released trailer on Bongo's social media platforms introduces the main character, Fazlu, portrayed by popular actor and director Sharaf Ahmed Zibon, said a press release.
Fazlu is a clerk who withholds people's files to extort bribes, thereby significantly improving his household's financial situation.
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However, his life takes an unexpected turn when a fishbone gets lodged in his throat during a meal. The unfolding events promise to be both humorous and thought-provoking, urging viewers to question the real cost of corruption.
Mushfiqur Rahman Manzu, Bongo's Chief Content Officer, commented on the drama's relevance and appeal: “Kanta is a very timely story. Through humor, it highlights a harsh reality of today's society. Bongo always strives to bring unique and engaging stories to our audience. I believe the audience will relate very well to the story of ‘Kanta’.”
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The cast of ‘Kanta’ also includes notable actors such as Solaiman Khoka, Twink Carol, Saiful Islam Rafi, and Sushma Sarkar, who bring depth and dynamism to their respective roles.
Viewers can catch the premiere of ‘Kanta’ tomorrow on the Bongo app and website.
Cartoon Network is not dead, contrary to the rumours
Recently, rumours have been circulating online that Cartoon Network, the popular American cable television channel adored by its young audiences worldwide for cartoons like Tom and Jerry, The Flintstones, Scooby-Doo, and more, is shutting down. However, multiple sources have confirmed that the claims are incorrect.
The speculation and rumours about Cartoon Network's demise have originated from a trend that went viral on X (formerly Twitter) with the hashtag "RIP Cartoon Network" on Tuesday, and soon it broke the internet. A group called Animation Workers Ignited, which appears to be connected to the animators' union, made that tweet.
However, several reputable news outlets, including international news agency Marca, Indian news mediums The Times of India, Pinkvilla, Hindustan Times, and many other news outlets, have confirmed that Cartoon Network is not shutting down.
The misleading tweet asked its followers to post about their favourite Cartoon Network shows using the #RIPCartoonNetwork hashtag, which raised concerns among fans across many countries, including Bangladesh, that the channel is on the verge of its demise and would soon announce the closing of its studio.
The heartbroken fans started sharing a picture of the network's former headquarters on social media outlets including Facebook, Instagram, and X, which was reportedly shot last year after the firm moved its operations, further intensifying rumours of an official closure.
X has since clarified the matter by issuing community notes on the posts, writing, “Cartoon Network has not shut down, there is no evidence to suggest that it is shutting down. The associated hashtag #RIPCartoon Network originates from Animation Workers Ignited, an account advocating for the unionisation of animators.”
Launched on October 1, 1992, Cartoon Network is one of the most popular children's television channels in the world. The channel became a household name to the millions and also to Bangladeshi audiences, with the arrival of cable television networks and international television channels in the country during the 1990s.
Tom and Jerry, Scooby Doo, The Powerpuff Girls, Popeye the Sailor, Dexter's Laboratory, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Johnny Bravo, Looney Tunes, Bob the Builders, Jumanji, and Ben 10 are some of the most popular cartoon shows on the channel, which garnered massive popularity in Bangladesh as well, especially among the 90’s kids.
New Shrek film in production, Donkey to get standalone movie: Eddie Murphy reveals
Fans of the iconic Shrek movies, rejoice! Eddie Murphy, the voice of Donkey, has revealed in an interview with Collider that not only is a new Shrek movie in production, but Donkey will also star in his very own standalone film.
Murphy shared, “We started doing Shrek 4 or [Shrek] 5 months ago. I recorded the first act, and we’ll be finishing it up this year. Shrek is coming out, and Donkey’s gonna have his own movie. We’re gonna do Donkey as well.” He clarified the timeline, saying, “I started recording Shrek, I think it’s coming out in 2025, and we’re doing a Donkey one next.”
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Since Shrek first graced the screens in 2001, the franchise has become a cultural touchstone, celebrated for its witty humor, memorable characters, and heartwarming stories. The series includes four feature films, numerous spin-offs, and even a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical. Murphy’s portrayal of the hilarious and lovable Donkey has been a standout, and his enthusiasm for the upcoming projects is palpable.
The announcement of a standalone Donkey movie promises to delve deeper into the character, offering fans fresh comedic and emotional experiences. As fans eagerly await the return of Shrek and the debut of Donkey’s solo adventure, it’s clear that the magic of this beloved franchise continues to enchant audiences of all ages.
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