The New Nation - Internet Edition

Mehreen as judge in Kolkata

Entertainment Desk

Pop singer Mehreen has her hands full: as a judge in the talent hunt show Band Wagon on the Kolkata -based ETV Bangla. The reality show is set to identify promising new bands from the region.

The Bangladeshi pop star has been with the reality show since it began. The final episode of Band Wagon was aired on May 11, at 10:00pm. Eminent music director of the subcontinent AR Rahman was present as a special guest at the event.

About her inclusion in the show, Mehreen said, "Band Wagon was the first ever band hunt show of ETV Bangla. The authority was on the hunt for judges who represent the current pop scenario and experiment a lot with music. I think that's why they approached me."

Yes, Tashan has flopped!!!

In the week gone by, trade gave Tashan another chance to show its pull at the box office. Even though the film's collections were poor in the first week (~18.5 crores), especially while keeping into consideration that the film had seen a huge release (750+ cinemas), the final verdict was kept on hold since the multiplex issue was seeing a resolution in the second week. As Yash Raj Films and multiplexes announced truce, Tashan saw a multiplex release from second week onwards. Though the number of shows (4 to 6 a day) were far lower than what a film of this stature enjoys in the first week (15 to 20 a day), trade still looked forward to how Tashan would perform.

With releases like Anamika, Mr. White Mr. Black and Pranali, hardly expected to be any competition whatsoever, it had to be seen if Tashan managed to hold on to decent collections in the second week and come up with a face saving total.

However, this wasn't the case to be as the woes of Tashan continued in the same mode as the week gone by and the film hardly seemed to be on the road to recovery.

As per the collections made available for the second week, the film has seen close to 60% fall and recorded only around 7 crores more. This means that at a 25 crores total with not much expected to be gained in the weeks to come, Tashan would indeed go down as a flop.

Quite a sad state for a film which was expected to be the flagship project for Yash Raj Films this year!

Internet

Shawkat Osman’s 10th death anniversary today

Entertainment Report

The 10th death anniversary of renowned author Shawkat Omsan will be observed today (May 14).

Shawkat Smriti Bidyalaya has chalked out an elaborate programme to mark the day. Early in the morning family members, guests and friends of the writer will lay floral garland at 10:00am at his graveyard at Mirpur Intellectuals' Graveyard in the city on that day.

A discussion meeting on the life and works of the writer will be held at 5:00pm at the Liberation War Museum in the city today.

National Professor Kabir Chowdhury to be present as chief guest at the meeting.

Political leader Haider Akbar Khan Rono, eminent writer Selina Hossain, artists Rafiqun Nabi, Hashem Khan and Bulbon Osman, architect Yeafesh Osman will take part in the discussion meeting.

Meer Sabbir in film

Entertainment Report

The popular actor of the small screen Meer Sabbir has been started to go to the film. He is going to express him in the film 'Ki Zadu Karila', which was directed by Chandan Choudhury. In the film 'Ki Zadu Karila' the side actor and actress are Reaz and Popy.

The script of the film is made by Abdullah Jahir Babu, and Alam Khan has directed the music.

The shooting started in Hotapara last month. About acting in the film he Sabbir said, "If the viewers like me, then I will fully concentrate to the film. But, that does not mean that I am leaving drama. Drama is my love, and by that, now I am Meer Sabbir."

Selection round of 'Sera Kantha’ starts

Entertainment Report

The second round of Channel-i Sera Kantha started yesterday at the Sports Zone at Mohakhali in the city.

A total of 82 contestants including 11 expatriate Bangladeshi will appear before a 16-member jury comprising Subir Nandi, Kanak Chanpa and Abida Sultana.

The organisers have grouped the entries into five categories and 16 contestants will perform each day. 'We will select 10 contestants from each group and this is how we will get best 50 contestants', said Impress Telefilm managing director Faridur Reza Sagar at a briefing at its premises at Tejgaon on Monday. 'World famous singers -- Runa Laila and Sabina Yasmin- - will judge the contestants from the third round which will begin with the best 50 contestants', he said.

'Among the 11 expatriate contestants, 3 have already flown to Dhaka while the rest are on their way', he added.

The best singers will be given special awards and will get a chance to perform in concerts at home and abroad, said the organisers. With a view to finding out the hidden talents in music the channel has launched the competition both at home and abroad.

Earlier, about 90,000 contestants from home and abroad registered to compete in the competition. The organisers held the primary round of the competition in seven zones -- Dhaka, Dhaka Metro, Rajshahi, Khulna, Chittagong, Barisal and Sylhet.

Jionkathi, Thunderstorm staged at Russian Cultural Centre

Entertainment Report

A recital of 'Thunderstorm' by Alexander Ostrovsky and selected poems by Rabindranath Tagore staged by 'Jionkathi' was held at the Exhibition Hall of the Russian Centre of Science and Culture in the city on Tuesday evening.

The Russian Cultural Centre organised the programme to mark 185th birth anniversary of Russian playwright Alexander Ostrovsky and 147th birth anniversary of Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore.