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Taylor Swift wins Grammy album of the year for the 4th time
Taylor Swift won album of the year at the Grammy Awards for “Midnights,” breaking the record for most wins in the category with four.
She began her speech by thanking her producer and friend Jack Antonoff and added, “I would love to tell you this is the happiest moment of my life,” she told the crowd, but said she feels this happy when she creates music and plays shows.
Earlier in the night, Taylor Swift used her 13th Grammy win on Sunday to announce her new album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” will arrive April 19.
Read: Japan wants everyone to know: Taylor Swift will make it in time for the Super Bowl
“I know that the way that the Recording Academy voted is a direct reflection of the passion of the fans,” she said while accepting the best pop vocal album award. “So, I want to say thank you to the fans by telling you a secret that I’ve been keeping from you for the last two years."
One of the night’s biggest awards, record of the year, went to Miley Cyrus for “Flowers,” her second-ever Grammy and second of the night.
“This award is amazing. But I really hope that it doesn’t change anything because my life was beautiful yesterday,” she said in her speech.
Victoria Monét won best new artist. “Thank you to the champagne-servers tonight," Monét began her acceptance speech. “Thanks to my mom, a single mom raising this really bad girl." Then she started to cry, telling the room that this award was “15 years in the making.”
Billie Eilish won song of the year for writing the “Barbie” hit, “What Was I Made For?” She thanked director Greta Gerwig for "making the best movie of the year.”
It was just one of several standout moments from Sunday's show, hosted by Trevor Noah and broadcast live from Cypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles.
Karol G made Grammy history Sunday by becoming the first female performer to win best música urbana album for her blockbuster “Mañana Será Bonito” record.
“This is my first time at the Grammys,” she told the audience in English. “And this is my first time holding my own Grammy.”
Performances were many. Olivia Rodrigo brought her bloodsucking ballad “vampire” – or in this case, bloodletting, as red liquid dripped from the walls behind her. Joni Mitchell, 80, made Grammy history by performing “Both Sides Now” from her 1969 album “Clouds”; Travis Scott did a medley of “My Eyes,” “I Know?,” and “Fein.” Burna Boy was joined by Brandy and 21 Savage and did “On Form,” “City Boys,” and “Sittin’ on Top of the World."
A long and touching In Memoriam segment celebrated many of the musical greats lost last year. Stevie Wonder performed “For Once in My Life” and “The Best Is Yet To Come” in honor of Tony Bennett; Annie Lennox delivered “Nothing Compares 2 U” for Sinéad O’Connor. “Artists for ceasefire, peace in the world,” Lennox said at the end of the song, her fist extended in the air.
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Jon Batiste did a medley of “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lean On Me,” and finally “Optimistic” with Ann Nesby for the late great music exec Clarence Avant. Oprah introduced a fiery Tina Turner tribute of “Proud Mary” by Fantasia Barrino and Adam Blackstone.
SZA also took the stage – performing a medley of her larger-than-life hits “Snooze” and “Kill Bill," joined by dancers wielding katanas. Later, she'd take home the trophy for best R&B song — for “Snooze,” handed to her by Lizzo. SZA ran to the stage and gave a charming, out of breath speech because she was “changing, and then I took a shot.”
Luke Combs’ delivered a heartfelt rendition of “Fast Car” with Tracy Chapman – his cover of the Chapman classic has dominated country radio and won him song of the year at the 2023 CMAs. In 1989 the song won Chapman best female pop vocal performance.
Dua Lipa opened the show with a high-octane medley: first, a tease of her forthcoming single, “Training Season,” then, her most recent single, “Houdini," and finally, her disco-pop “Barbie” hit “Dance the Night."
Eilish and Finneas also brought “Barbie” to the Grammys stage with live string accompaniment. They were followed by Cyrus, who performed “Flowers” for the first time live on television.
“Why are you acting like you don't know this song?” she teased the crowd — John Legend and wife Chrissy Teigen were among those in the audience who got up to dance — and later cheered mid-song, “I just won my first Grammy!”
Best country album went to Lainey Wilson for “Bell Bottom Country,” — her very first Grammy — as presented by Kacey Musgraves. “I’m a fifth-generation farmer’s daughter,” she told the crowd, adding that she’s a “songwriting farmer,” and that’s where the musical magic came from.
Jay-Z was awarded the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award and used his speech to talk about the hip-hop greats that came before him – and heavily suggesting at the Grammys history of placing rap on the backburner – or at the very least, not in the televised version of the show. (This year, there were no rap categories on the telecast, but two pop, one Latin, one country and one R&B.)
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“We want you all to get it right,” he said. “At least get it close to right,” before switching focus to Beyoncé. “Most Grammys, never won album of the year. How does that work?”
Bridgers took an early lead at the Grammys, quickly winning four trophies ahead of the main telecast, with her and her boygenius bandmates bringing an infectious energy to the pre-telecast Premiere Ceremony.
Jack Antonoff took home producer of the year, non-classical for a third year in a row, tying Babyface as the only other producer to do so consecutively. “You need the door kicked open for you,” he said in his acceptance speech. “Taylor Swift kicked that (expletive) door open for me," he said.
The first of three new categories in 2024, best pop dance recording, went to Kylie Minogue for “Padam Padam" — her first win in 18 years.
About 80 Grammys were handed out pre-broadcast. Regional Mexican star Peso Pluma won his first Grammy for his first and only nomination, for best música Mexicana album for his “Genesis.”
Best African music performance, a new category which aims to highlight regional musical traditions and recognizing “recordings that utilize unique local expressions from across the African continent,” went to South African singer Tyla for her ubiquitous hit, “Water.”
“I never thought I’d say I won a Grammy at 21 years old,” she said in her acceptance speech. “Last year God decided to change my whole life.”
Killer Mike won three awards in quick succession Sunday night, but ended up in police custody before the main Grammys ceremony began because of an altercation, police spokesperson Officer Mike Lopez said.
The rapper won his first first Grammy in 21 years, for best rap performance for “Scientists & Engineers,” which featured André 3000, Future and Eryn Allen Kane. Soon afterward, they won for “best rap song.” Killer Mike also took home best rap album for “Michael,” cheering, “It is a sweep! It is a sweep!”
Billy Joel was both the penultimate and final performance of the night. First, he brought his new track “Turn the Lights Back on” — his first new music in decades — live to the Grammy stage. Then, after album of the year was announced, he returned to the stage for his 1980 classic, “You May Be Right.”
A welcome surprised was the inclusion of Celine Dion, who handed Swift her record-breaking trophy. “When I say I’m happy to be here, I really mean it from my heart,” she told the audience. In 2022, Dion revealed she was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called stiff person syndrome, which causes spasms that affect her ability to walk and sing.
Japan wants everyone to know: Taylor Swift will make it in time for the Super Bowl
Taylor Swift, who is holding concerts in Japan through Feb. 10, will make it in time for the Super Bowl to see her partner and football superstar Travis Kelce play.
To make sure all her fans know, the Japanese Embassy in Washington, D.C. has sent a message on X, formerly Twitter, alluding to her hit songs in bold letters.
“Despite the 12-hour flight and 17-hour time difference, the Embassy can confidently Speak Now to say that if she departs Tokyo in the evening after her concert, she should comfortably arrive in Las Vegas before the Super Bowl begins,” it said.
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Swift is in a highly public relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Kelce. The AFC champions face off the San Francisco 49ers, the NFC champs, Feb. 11.
Noise regulations in Tokyo stipulate that events must stop using the public sound system at 9:30 p.m. That should give Swift plenty of time, given that Japan is a day ahead in the global day.
Swift is performing four nights at the Tokyo Dome as part of her Eras Tour, which continues later in Australia. That means she would have to fly halfway around the world again later in the week.
Read: ‘The Beekeeper’ Review: Jason Statham has more than a bee in his bonnet
Swift’s flying on a private jet to watch Kelce play has already prompted criticism about carbon emissions and lavish spending.
Web Film "Osomoy" Shatters Records, Surpassing 2023 Hit "Hotel Relax" in only 8.5 days
Bongo, the premiere OTT platform in Bangladesh, continues to dazzle audiences globally with one success after another, with the latest “Osomoy” directed by Kajal Arefin Ome.
Recently, Ome's debut web film, 'Osomoy,' has garnered an impressive audience of over 300,000 paid unique viewers from over 100+ countries, 33 percent higher than Hotel Relax.
The film has achieved more than 35 million paid watch time minutes in 8.5 days surpassing the previous record of 30 million minutes of Hotel Relax, a web series also directed by Kajal Arefin Ome.
Wrestling icon Vince McMahon resigns from WWE parent company after ex-employee files sex abuse suit
"Osomoy" presents a compelling narrative, delving into the life of Urbi, a young girl from a lower-middle-class family navigating university life.
Director Kajal Arefin Ome, known for his diverse portfolio, departs from his usual works to offer a poignant portrayal of contemporary society.
The film resonates with audiences, combining a serious storyline with Ome's signature humor.
Expressing his thoughts on the record-breaking success, Director Kajal Arefin Ome stated, "We had high expectations for the content, and the immediate positive response exceeded our predictions. The audience's love for 'Osomoy' has been overwhelming. Their support encourages me to strive for excellence in future projects."
Farooki in ICU, writes Tisha
Tasnia Farin, a talented actress of the time, delivers a stellar performance as Urbi, supported by Tariq Anam Khan and Monira Mithu, who portray Urbi's parents with emotional depth.
The on-screen chemistry between Saraf Ahmed Zibon and Iresh Zaker, playing a journalist and police officer, adds a delightful touch, inducing laughter.
Runa Khan's portrayal of a lawyer and her compelling scenes with Intekhab Dinar has garnered attention.
The ensemble cast, including Shahed Ali, Shaswata Datta, Shimul Sharma, Lamima Lam, Israt Zaheen Ahmed, Scuman Patwary, and Ziaul Haque Polash, contributes to the film's success with their outstanding performances.
Netizens hail "Osomoy" as Kajal Arefin Ome's masterpiece, praising its superb cinematography, excellent dialogues, outstanding color grading, and captivating ambient music.
Mushfiqur Rahman Manzu, the producer of "Osomoy" and Chief Content Officer of Bongo, expressed delight, saying, "We are thrilled with the overwhelming response to 'Osomoy,' surpassing the success of 'Hotel Relax.' We extend our gratitude to the audience for their continued support."
Showcasing 252 films from 74 nations, 22nd Dhaka International Film Festival begins
This time, Bongo saw a huge growth of users watching from Apple, Samsung, Redmi, Realme, and OPPO device brands, including tremendous growth from Chittagong, Comilla, Khulna, Sylhet and Rajshahi.
“We launched Pre-booking this time which was a huge success, we had over 10,000 paid users book early and win a chance to watch on the opening day of the Premiere with the Ome and the exciting cast! We also enabled gifting where thousands of fans showed their appreciation for the film. We are constantly working on new ways to be ahead of the curve with our technology and tools, said COO & Co-Founder of Bongo, Fayaz Taher. “Last year we beta-tested a lot with new advertising tools such as clickable Digital screen ads including L-shaped, we plan to do a full roll in Q1 this year to enable new ways for advertisers to also connect with content in meaningful ways.”
Wrestling icon Vince McMahon resigns from WWE parent company after ex-employee files sex abuse suit
Wrestling icon Vince McMahon resigned Friday from WWE's parent company t he day after a former employee filed a federal lawsuit accusing him and another former executive of serious sexual misconduct, including offering her to a star wrestler for sex.
McMahon stepped down from the his position as executive chairman of the board of directors at WWE’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings, according to a statement released late Friday. He continued to deny wrongdoing following the lawsuit filed by Janel Grant, who worked in the company’s legal and talent departments.
The suit includes allegations that McMahon, now 78, forced Grant into a sexual relationship in order for her to get and keep a job and passed around pornographic pictures and videos of her to other men, including other WWE employees.
The AP typically does not name accusers in sexual assault cases, but Grant’s representatives said she wished to go public. Her lawyer declined to comment Friday.
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McMahon's statement said that he was leaving the board “out of respect” for WWE and TKO Group.
“I stand by my prior statement that Ms. Grant’s lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and is a vindictive distortion of the truth,” he said in the statement. “I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless accusations, and look forward to clearing my name.”
McMahon stepped down as WWE’s CEO in 2022 amid an investigation into allegations that match those in the lawsuit, which was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Connecticut, where WWE is based.
McMahon was the leader and most recognizable face at WWE for decades. When he purchased what was then the World Wrestling Federation from his father in 1982, wrestling matches took place at small venues and appeared on local cable channels. WWE matches are now held in professional sports stadiums, and the organization has a sizable overseas following.
WWE merged last April with the company that runs Ultimate Fighting Championship to create the $21.4 billion sports entertainment company TKO Group Holdings, and McMahon served as that group’s executive chairman of the board until Friday.
TKO Group's representative referred media inquiries about McMahon's resignation to his statement. Deadline first reported that he was stepping down.
“Mr. McMahon does not control TKO nor does he oversee the day-to-day operations of WWE,” TKO Group said earlier this week. “While this matter pre-dates our TKO executive team’s tenure at the company, we take Ms. Grant’s horrific allegations very seriously and are addressing this matter internally.”
Grant also names as defendants in the lawsuit the WWE and John Laurinaitis, an ex-pro wrestler and the company’s former head of talent relations and general manager. WWE and Laurinaitis did not return requests for comment Friday.
According to the lawsuit, McMahon lived in the same building as Grant and in 2019 offered to get her a job at WWE after her parents died.
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She alleges that he eventually made it clear that one of the requirements of the job was a physical relationship with him and later with Laurinaitis and others.
Over the next few years, McMahon lavished her with gifts including a luxury car, the suit says.
It also alleges that McMahon offered one of his star wrestlers — a person not named in the lawsuit — sex with Grant as a perk in 2021.
“WWE benefited financially from the commercial sex act venture orchestrated by McMahon, including by having wrestling talent, such as WWE Superstar, sign new contracts with WWE after McMahon presented Plaintiff as a sexual commodity for their use,” the lawsuit states.
Grant is seeking unspecified monetary damages and to have the court void a $3 million nondisclosure agreement, of which she alleges she received only $1 million.
“Ms. Grant hopes that her lawsuit will prevent other women from being victimized,” her attorney, Ann Callis, said in a statement Thursday. “The organization is well aware of Mr. McMahon’s history of depraved behavior, and it’s time that they take responsibility for the misconduct of its leadership.”
Farooki in ICU, writes Tisha
Popular filmmaker Mostafa Sarwar Farooki was hospitalised after he felt unwell on Monday (January 22, 2024) evening.
His hospitalisation was confirmed by his wife, actress Nusrat Imrose Tisha.
Tisha wrote on her verified Facebook page at 1 am on Tuesday, “Mostafa has been feeling unwell since last evening. After taking him to the hospital, it was informed that he suffered a mild stroke.”
“He is now being observed at the Neuro ICU. Please keep Mostafa Sarwar Farooki in your prayers,” Tisha wrote.
According to sources, the director is at a private hospital in Dhaka’s Panthapath.
He is currently being closely monitored by doctors but is now out of danger.
Fans and admirers, including many celebrities, have commented on and shared the post while asking for prayers for the acclaimed director.
Read more: Farooki’s ‘Shonibar Bikel’ to be released on Indian OTT platform Sony LIV
Known for breaking stereotypical storytelling and popularising colloquial language in TV fiction, Farooki is widely acclaimed for his television series ‘51 Borti’, ‘69’, ‘420’, ‘Choruivati’, ‘Carrom’ and more.
After becoming successful in television, Farooki debuted as a filmmaker with ‘Bachelor’ (2004), featuring an ensemble cast of Ferdous Ahmed, Humayun Faridi, Shabnoor, Aupee Karim, Jaya Ahsan, Marzuk Russell and others.
After that, he continued his journey as a filmmaker with ‘Made in Bangladesh’, ‘Third Person Singular Number’, ‘Ant Story’ (Piprabiddya), ‘Television’, ‘Doob: No Bed of Roses’ and his most talked-about film ‘Saturday Afternoon (Shonibar Bikel), which is yet to have a proper theatrical release in Bangladesh.
With ‘Ladies & Gentleman’ (2021), Farooki debuted in OTT. He debuted as an actor in the Chorki’s film under the ‘Ministry of Love’ project, titled 'Something Like An Autobiography' alongside Tisha.
Read more: Something Like An Autobiography: Real Story or Just a Film?
Showcasing 252 films from 74 nations, 22nd Dhaka International Film Festival begins
The 22nd edition of the coveted Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF), one of the longest-running film events in the world, was inaugurated on Saturday with 252 films from 74 countries - chorusing the slogan “Better Films, Better Audience, Better Society.”
Finance Minister Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali inaugurated the festival as the chief guest of the opening ceremony, while the subcontinent's renowned Indian-Bengali actress Sharmila Tagore was present as the special guest at the inaugural ceremony.
Yue Liwen, Cultural Counselor of the Embassy of China in Bangladesh and Md Mokammel Hossain, Secretary of the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry also spoke at the event.
Presided over by the DIFF chief patron and former State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, the welcome remarks were delivered by festival director Ahmed Muztaba Zamal, founding organiser of this coveted film festival.
Inaugurating the 22nd DIFF, Finance Minister Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali said, “Cinema has no border, and the audiences in Bangladesh are now watching almost every film beyond the boundaries. Through festivals like the DIFF, our audiences have been able to enjoy quality films from the entire world, and foreign audiences are also learning about our films and culture through this festival.”
Expressing gratitude to the organizers and lauding DIFF’s slogan “Better Films, Better Audience, Better Society,” eminent actress and this year’s distinguished guest and jury member Sharmila Tagore said, “Through good films, we understand the world, and a lot of things. I think there is nothing better than films that can communicate to everyone, because images stay with you - and it does not matter whether you speak Bengali, English, Chinese or any other language, because images eventually get through to you. I am really honoured to be here and looking forward to watching the films, and meeting my other co-jurors from tomorrow.”
This year's festival began with the Iran-Bangladesh joint production film ‘Fereshteh’ starring acclaimed actress Jaya Ahsan and directed by Morteza Atashzamzam, under the Wide Angle Film Poster Exhibition section. The inaugural session on Saturday evening also showcased the Shyam Benegal-directed ‘Mujib: Ekti Jatir Rupokar’ (Mujib: The Making of a Nation).
Moviegoers can watch the films at different venues including the Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Auditorium (main auditorium) and Poet Sufia Kamal Auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum, National Art Gallery Auditorium and National Music and Dance Auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Academy Auditorium and Alliance Française de Dhaka (AFD), Dhanmondi in the capital.
Read: 22nd Dhaka International Film Festival (DIFF) begins Saturday
The films will be screened under the Asian Competition Section, Retrospective Section, Tribute, Bangladesh Panorama, Wide Angle, Cinema of the World, Children's Film, Spiritual Films, Short and Independent Film and Women's Film Session.
The '10th International Women Filmmakers Conference' on the role of women in films will be held on the 3rd floor of the Samson Lounge, Dhaka Club, from January 21-22 as part of the festival. Department of Film & Television, Jagannath University will cooperate in this and UNDP will be a strategic partner.
Eminent Indian actress and the esteemed guest of this year’s festival Sharmila Tagore will formally inaugurate the '10th International Women Film Makers Conference,' which will be chaired by DIFF Chairperson Kishwar Kamal on January 21 at 9:30 am. State Minister for Women and Child Affairs Simin Hossain Rimi will be present as the Chief Guest at the conference.
Minister of Social Welfare Dr Dipu Moni will inaugurate the Wide Angle section of the 22nd DIFF on January 22 at the Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum, which will be joined by the Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen and Deputy Chair of Shanghai Film Association and distinguished film scholar Dr Shi Chuan as the special guests.
Read: 3rd Bangladesh Film Festival illuminates Colombo
Apart from this, there will be a unique masterclass-day for the second time in the festival's history which will be held throughout the day on January 27 at Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum. The first session of the day will be addressed by eminent film scholar Dr Shi Chuan, Deputy Chair of the Shanghai Film Association of China, while the second session will feature the globally renowned Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi and the third session will feature Indian filmmaker, actor and singer Anjan Dutt.
The sessions will be moderated by Bangladeshi film critic Bidhan Rebeiro. Registration will be required to join the masterclasses and the registration link will be available on the Facebook page of the festival. However, the registration must be completed before January 27.
Initiated by Rainbow Film Society, DIFF is supported by the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, The Embassy of China in Dhaka and Summit Group, alongside the festival’s longstanding partners - Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka Club Limited, Bangladesh National Museum, Alliance Française de Dhaka, Norwegian International Film Festival Handsund, Religion Today Film Festival, Shanghai International Film Festival, Channel I, Ekattor TV, Sense for Wave, and CloudLive.
Read more: European Film Festival presents a true cultural collaboration between Bangladesh, EU: Dutch Ambassador
Open to all, the 22nd Dhaka International Film Festival will conclude on January 28 this year. Details regarding the festival including the screening schedule are available at https://www.dhakafilmfestival.org/.
Kajal Arefin’s ‘Osomoy’ premieres on OTT platform
The prolific drama director Kajal Arefin Ome’s much-anticipated web film, 'Osomoy,' premiered on Bongo, an OTT platform in Bangladesh.
The film, featuring an ensemble cast led by popular actress Tasnia Farin, delves into a contemporary real-life story, captivating audiences with its intricate plot and stellar performances.
The star-studded cast includes talents such as Runa Khan, Tariq Anam Khan, Iresh Zaker, Saraf Ahmed Zibon, Intekhab Dinar, Monira Mithu, Shashwta Datta, Schumonn Patwary, Shimul Sharma, Lamima Lam, Ishrat Zaheen Ahmed, and a special appearance by popular actor Ziaul Haque Polash.
It's official: Orsha and Imran are a married couple
'Osomoy' unfolds the narrative around Urbee, a university student unwittingly entangled in a murder case.
The film weaves multiple small stories into a cohesive ensemble, building suspense and engaging audiences throughout.
Ome shared his thoughts on 'Osomoy,' stating, "It is not a story of a specific person but a reflection of our time. We aimed to capture the essence of the era, and I am delighted with the positive response. I hope those yet to see it will find the film intriguing."
‘The Beekeeper’ Review: Jason Statham has more than a bee in his bonnet
Tasnia Farin, the lead actress of the film, conveyed her heartfelt appreciation for director Kajal Arefin Ome. Recognising Ome as the catalyst for her inaugural venture into the industry, Farin expressed profound joy in collaborating with him.
"Ome bhai gave me my first opportunity in the industry, and working with him has been an absolute delight. The entire team devoted themselves to the production of 'Osomoy,' and I sincerely hope that audiences will derive immense pleasure from the film," Farin remarked.
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Mushfiqur Rahman Manzu, the producer of 'Osomoy' and Chief Content Officer of Bongo, expressed admiration for Ome's directorial prowess, saying, "The film is truly beautiful, and despite being Ome's first, he has expertly used all the elements to captivate the audience. We anticipate that viewers will enjoy 'Osomoy' as much as our previous hit web series, 'Hotel Relax.'"
It's official: Orsha and Imran are a married couple
Popular television actors Nazia Haque Orsha and Mostafizur Noor Imran have revealed they tied the knot recently.
This happened to be a pleasant surprise to the netizens after the actress shared a couple of images as newlyweds on her Facebook profile on Sunday.
Photographed by Badhon Mahmud, the couple was seen in this candid photoshoot beside a bamboo garden in a rural setting and traditional Bengali attire.
"With nature and family, 'I' is now 'Us' -- officially married,” Orsha wrote in the post's caption. Although Orsha shared the photos on Sunday, the couple got married in recent months, according to various sources.
Fans and admirers of the newlywed, along with celebrities from different arenas congratulated the couple, offering blessings and good wishes.
Nazia Haque Orsha came to the television industry after securing the fourth position in the popular beauty contest Lux Channel i Superstar 2009. Since then, the actress has delivered promising performances and become a reliable name to the fiction makers for intriguing and challenging characters.
Mostafizur Noor Imran, a well-known stage performer and theatre actor-instructor, made his film debut in ‘Guerilla’ (2011). He appeared prominently in ‘Alpha’, ‘Shimanter Choruibhati’, and ‘Extra’ (Iti, Tomari Dhaka), among many more films and television projects.
After playing significant roles in online series such as ‘Money Honey’ and ‘Ekattor’, Imran received massive applause with his portrayal in two of OTT platform HoiChoi’s popular original series - first as Sub-Inspector Moloy Kumar in the Ashfaque Nipun directed ‘Mohanagar’ (season one) and then as Amlan in the Tanim Noor directed ‘Kaiser’.
The newlywed couple was seen together in the Chorki-flick ‘Jahan’ (2023) and the Chorki original film ‘Sahosh’ (2022).
This marks the third celebrity marriage in the country’s entertainment arena in the new year, as popular actress and model Moushumi Hamid tied the knot on Friday (January 12) with her fiance Abu Sayeed Rana and popular actor Farhan Ahmed Jovan married his fiance Sajin Ahmed Nirjona on the same day.
‘The Beekeeper’ Review: Jason Statham has more than a bee in his bonnet
Secret agents and murderous assassins seem to lurk in increasingly mundane places.
Remember “The Accountant" with Ben Affleck? Or “The Tax Collector” with Shia LaBeouf? Or more recently, how about “The Bricklayer” with Adam Eckhardt? You probably don't — none of these films were exactly Oscar winners. But there's probably a notary public somewhere wondering when he's going to get his Liam Neeson treatment.
“The Beekeeper,” the new Jason Statham revenge thriller, may have them all beaten — or at least bee-ten. The film, directed by David Ayer (who also did “The Tax Collector”) has found probably the widest disparity yet between innocuous occupation and savage killer. As bodies accrue, so do the double takes from those confused by the source of all the mayhem. Again and again they utter in disbelief: “A beekeeper?”
Believe it, honey. “The Beekeeper” carries that ludicrous premise as far as it can, and then well beyond. If you've been searching for a movie where Jason Statham gravely vows to “protect the hive” an implausible number of times, you have found it.
The bee metaphors — there is even, rather impressively, a “To bee or not to bee” reference — come fast and furious in “The Beekeeper,” a movie that flirts with a so-bad-it's-good vibe but is too serious to quite pull it off. It can be divertingly bonkers, but ends up a rather grim and slipshod “John Wick” ripoff.
The film, scripted by Kurt Wimmer, begins the action with one of the more absurd inciting incidents in recent memory. Statham is a humble beekeeper for Eloise Parker (Phylicia Rashad) on a New England farm. She soon falls victim to a phishing scam that robs her of all her money, including the $2 million charity fund she manages. Eloise calls a number that pops up on her screen and is talked into sharing her passwords by a smarmy scammer (David Witts) who's simultaneously using the call as a lesson to a room full of hackers who cheer him on like the predatory stock brokers of “The Wolf of Wall Street.”
Eloise doesn't press CTRL-ALT-DELETE or even call the fraud department of her bank. She kills herself. And guess who's mad? The beekeeper.
Eloise's daughter, Verona (a good Emmy Raver-Lampman), is an FBI agent who throws herself into the case. But meanwhile Statham's beekeeper, after a well-placed call, gets the location of the call center. He turns up with a few tanks of gasoline and some terse words about, you know, the hive, and burns down the place, killing a few people along the way.
That brings the attention of higher-ups. Only the guy in charge is a 28-year-old twerp named Derek Danforth (Josh Hutcherson, enjoying himself) who brashly underestimates his new enemy at every step of the way. His entitlement is owed to his rather good connections. He's protected by the former head of the CIA, Wallace Westwyld (Jeremy Irons) and happens to be the son of the U.S. president (Jemma Redgrave).
Fingers get cut off and bodies accumulate as our man — his name turns out to be Adam Clay — tears through the criminal apparatus with ruthless blunt force. Statham, who has both the look and personality of a bullet, dispatches anyone in his path with the kind efficiency I dream of bringing to opening a pickle jar. A few twists of the wrist and he's done.
Clay, brace yourselves, isn't just an actual beekeeper. He's a retired Beekeeper, an elite, clandestine secret service that operates well off the government books and that adopts a surprising amount of its mission statements from the natural way of bees. They have a whole secret order and stuff, bringing “The Beekeeper” into plainly “Wick”-ian — and less fun — territory.
Yes, this silly beekeeper thriller goes all the way to the top. As the movie's renegade protagonist makes his way closer and closer to the White House, with blood and chaos in his wake, “The Beekeeper” begins to feel like an uncomfortable B-movie crosspollination of today's conspiracy theory-marred political landscape, with a violent, self-appointed guardian of America slashing his way toward the president. Most of the dead bodies are secret service.
Disquieting thoughts, maybe, for a beekeeper movie. Ayer's movie is mostly just having some cynical world-building fun, even if its hero feels like a part more suited to Mr. Bean. And, besides, while John Wick was first propelled into action by the death of his dog, Clay doesn't bat an eye when his honeycombs get blown to smithereens. This guy doesn't even really care about bees.
“The Beekeeper” an MGM release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for strong violence throughout, pervasive language, some sexual references and drug use. Running time: 105 minutes. Two stars out of four.
“Kingba Tomar Keu Na”: Joy Shahriar releases latest single
Renowned singer-musician-composer Joy Shahriar’s latest single “Kingba Tomar Keu Na” has been released recently across major streaming platforms and social networking sites.
Aajob Records, the official label of the singer, produced the song while the music video was shot under the label of Aajob Karkhana.
This marks the first single solo track of the singer in the new year, and sharing his excitement with UNB, Joy Shahriar said that he is eyeing to release of several new songs this year.
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“Thrilled to begin the new year with my new solo track “Kingba Tomar Keu Na” - a song very close to my heart. This is the first track of my list of upcoming solo songs in 2024,” Joy Shariar told UNB.
Amin Zamael Tilok did the 3:46-minute-long track’s guitars and programming. Maruf-Ul Haque played the bass guitar, and music artist Nabid Salehin Niloy designed the sound for the track.
Penned by British-Bangladeshi author and lyricist Dr Eshrar Latif, the song is composed by Joy Shahriar himself.
“It was a pleasure to add my voice to the song's lyrics, written by one of my favourite writers, Eshrar Latif," Joy Shahriar said.
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Over recent years, Joy Shahriar established himself as one of the prominent music artists in the country. His first studio album as a singer-songwriter was ‘Shotti Bolchhi’ (2009), which was a massive hit.
Listeners can enjoy the song across Joy Shahriar’s Facebook page and YouTube channel, as well as iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, and other renowned music platforms.